So I signed up for my first Ironman in Western Australia. We have two weeks (maybe 2 1/2 if I can convince my boss) for pre and post-race travel. That said, We’re planning on flying in the Wednesday before the race, race and attend the post race party. From there we’ll be flying to Sydney for a few days and I’d like to visit one of the islands off the coast of Queensland as well.
Any suggestions on places to stay in Sydney and the islands? Other fun things I haven’t thought about? I’ve never been and am super excited, but would like to squeeze a lot in.
Stay in the Perth area, specifically the Margaret River area down South, where Busselton is located. I’ve been to Oz twice, and if you’re not going for longer then 3 weeks, I’d suggest staying put. Of course it all depends on what you like to do. I like to surf, drink a lot of wine and party. So the Margaret River area is perfect for me. Especially post IMWA (I’ll be racing there too!)
I stayed at Abbey Beach Resort in Busselton as was very happy with it. 10 mins drive to transition and right on the beach , (although those that raced there last 2 minths ago will give testament that the water was a bit rough for kids, at the hotel beach).
Busselton is ±2.5-3hrs south of Perth on great highways and as Andypants mentioned a beautiful,scenic area with loads of wineries,cheese shops and countrysidein addition of course to the beautiful beaches.
You sound like you might be planning a bit too much. Australia is about the same size as the US so you are talking about a lot of travel miles if you try to include a Queensland island. You could easily fill your time between WA and Sydney and have a great holiday.
I don’t know a lot about WA but I have heard great things about the Margaret River area. If you wanted to check out something a bit more tropical and isolated you could try the Ningaloo Reef…it’s an area north of Perth that is a very untouristy coral reef. You can also swim with Whale Sharks there (something I definitely want to do!!!)
Sydney is my home town and it is a great party town. If you like to go out a lot to clubs, eating and drinking you will have fun. Sydney is big (spread out like LA) but there is lots to do around the city and there is pretty good public transport. Some suggestions for places to stay would be Darling Harbour, Darlinghurst, Rushcutters Bay or the city. If the US$ stays at its current level it won’t be very cheap.
Some suggestions of things to do in Sydney are the Harbour Bridge “Bridgeclimb”…you get to walk over the span of the bridge to the middle across the top and back down the other side. I probably wouldn’t climb in the middle of the day, morning or evening would be great. I’m pretty sure you can find this online and I would make a prior booking. Other suggestions are the beachs…there is a great walk from Bondi to Bronte…good cafes, good views and you can swim as well. Another great walk is the Spit to Manly which takes you around one area of the Harbour. Paddington markets on Saturday morning is lots of fun. Taronga Park Zoo has a great Harbour view and lots of good exhibits.
Not sure what else to suggest but if you let me know what you enjoy doing I might have some other ideas.
I wouldn;t be recommending staying that far north of Bussleton as a race base
There is a great town north of Bussleton called Mandurah - that is as far north as I would stay and again - it is not ideally located to the race venue - you will still have a solid drive in and out each day.
If not Bussleton - try another town - Bunbury - small, cosy and much closer to B’ton
If you up near Brisbane then I would definately recommend Fraser Island. That place is great. Amazing scenery and so much fun. Words can’t really describe it.
With 3 weeks in Perth I could transfer down to B’ton for 2 or 3 days i.e. race weekend and move on back to base camp afterwards and then on to Uluru etc… per wife’s wishes!
From Sydney - living in the US now for the past six yrs.
I personally managed the West Australian sales territory for a large Australian company for nine years before I moved here - and spent two of every five weeks living in WA.
Loved it - totally loved it there.
Got to keep the wife happy - or as they say back in Oz - the hugs and kisses (rhyming slang for missus (wife or g/f)