Eastern Australia Trip in March 2010

[to2leo]

So I am heading off once again and this time I will be heading to the East coast of Australia from March 1 to March 7.  This portion will be the last leg of my 3.5 weeks trip to East Asia to visit HK and China.

 

I have a few question that I hope some of the members can help:

I am a little scared about the jelly fish situation after seeing them in NatGeo, Discovery, Oasis channels about their deadly or painful venom.  What common sense should I use when I am snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef in early March?

 

Is there an Australian dish or two that I should definitely try?  Where do the local eats (any franchise restaurant that I should visit?)

 

Insect repellent?  Which one works best there?  I know I need to get it locally after I was bitten alive sleeping beside an opened window in a Venice 'hotel' facing a stale water canal. 

 

Is there anything else that you would recommend for a first time visitor?

 

Thanks! 

[CaptOblivious]

Eat some Moreton Bay Bugs, you won't regret it. Best crustacean I've ever had. Like a tiny lobster, but tastier!

[westfalen]

What parts of the east coast will you be visiting?

 

The Ipswich model railway club will be having our monthly Saturday running day at our clubrooms at the Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich on the 6th March, but the N scalers will all be at a T-TRAK running day at a member's house on the other side of Brisbane.

 

I don't spend much time at the beach (I know I'm an Aussie so I'm supposed to), so I can't answer those questions, but Queensland Rail issue us with 'Off!' brand insect repellent, it seems to stop the midges that hang around Mayne Yard from eating us alive in the summer time.

 

The only Australian dish I can think of is the meat pie, but I've got to admit the New Zealanders often do them better than us.

[CaptOblivious]

Speaking of Ipswitch and QR, you'd be remiss if you didn't visit the Workshops Rail Museum!

http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/

[westfalen]

Speaking of Ipswitch and QR, you'd be remiss if you didn't visit the Workshops Rail Museum!

http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/

Turn right as you enter and we are in the large brick building with the tall roller door (former tool & gauge shop), first Saturday and third Sunday each month, often someone there Wednesday mornings too. In the photo below the part of the building in the foreground with the attached carport is the N scale room.

[to2leo]

Thanks for the advices so far, I saved them in my google map.

 

Since this is an all inclusive tour (I am taking my visually-impaired mom), I will be heading to Sydney first, fly to Cairns to visit the Great Barrier Reefs, down to Gold Coast and finally heading to Brisbane.  Hopefully I do have sometime to enjoy some of the train sights!

[CaptOblivious]

You are taking the Tilt Train from Cairns to the Gold Coast, right?, Right?

[to2leo]

You are taking the Tilt Train from Cairns to the Gold Coast, right?, Right?

 

I wish but probably tour bus 

[westfalen]

If you've got enough time in Cairns the train ride up to Kuranda is a must.

http://www.ksr.com.au/default.asp

[to2leo]

Well this is it.  :glasses9: I will try to log on but activities and traveling during my month vacation might suggest otherwise.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions, they are a great resource.