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 VirginBlue flight at Canberra
airport by tiabunna
Qantas is mainly a “full fare” airline, but does provide some discount seats. Jetstar was created primarily to match the arrival of Virgin Blue and operates to all major cities except Canberra, plus quite a few holiday destinations: it is very much a ‘budget/minimum service’ airline and operates, at some destinations, from secondary airports. Virgin Blue began as a discount airline and still provides some good discount seats for early bookings, but has moved toward the mainstream airline category: they are noted for their friendly (often humourous) cabin staff. The main regional airline is Regional Express, usually just known as "Rex".
A new discount airline, Tiger Airways is commencing operations within Australia in late November 2007 - it is owned by Singapore Airlines, Ryanair and others, and promises to make a substantial difference to the Australian airline scene. It is based in Melbourne, will connect with discount international Tiger flights, and already is scheduling flights to Canberra, Newcastle, Hobart, and a host of tourist destinations. I expect the State capital cities will be added later.
Unlike many other countries, Australia requires airlines to quote fares within Australia inclusive of all taxes and charges – so the fare you see is essentially what you will be expected to pay (apart from minor “add-ons” such as seat booking fees). In all cases, the best discounts will be obtained by booking on the internet, usually well in advance (NB though, that many discount tickets carry restrictions, such as not allowing changes of bookings).
Here are the links to the airline websites:
Qantas
Jetstar
Virgin Blue
Tiger Airways
Regional Express Theme: Airplane
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 Just remember, it's bigger
than it looks! by tiabunna
Maybe you have plenty of time and would like to experience the drive and see the country? That’s a reasonable thing too, just be sure to allow plenty of time for sightseeing and relaxing – too many visitors from overseas are caught unaware by the demands of long drives.
On the other hand, driving from Melbourne to Cairns will take a week, preferably longer. If you add up the accommodation, fuel and hire car costs for that trip, it soon becomes apparent that a discount airfare is very cost competitive and that flying is far more realistic if you have limited time. It’s even further going west to Perth from the eastern States! I’m sorry to say it, but long distance trains in Australia are not really competitive on cost, frequency or travel times. Theme: Airplane
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Take a leisurely cruise between Perth and Freemantle along the Swan River which is the largest river in Perth, Western Australia. This is a popular activity for local and foreign tourists arriving in Perth.
Most Swan River cruise depart from Barrack Street Jetty in Perth and Port Freemantle in Freemantle. A roundtrip lasts approximately three hours and costs approximately US$30.00 per adult without meals. One of the popular cruise operators is Captain Cook Cruises. You may purchase cruise packages which include lunch or dinner.
The boat will cruise along Millionaire's Row where you will be able to witness large mansions, villas and bungalows along the banks of Swan River. The boat will cruise through other areas such as the Lucky Bay, the Freshwater Bay and numerous inlets. Swan River flows directly through the City of Perth. Leave a Comment Theme: Ship/Boat
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 The 1st Adelaide-Darwin
run was in 2004 ! by pchamlis,
1 more photos
(1) The Indian-Pacific, which runs trancontinentally between Sydney and Perth. The 4 day trip passes Broken Hill, Adelaide, Port Augusta, Cook, and Kalgoolie. Between Cook and Kalgoolie, the I-P travels on a straight section of track 478 km long...the world's longest )
(2) The Overlander, a short run between Melbourne and Adelaide, passing though Ararat, Horsham, Dimboola, Bordertown and Murray Bridge.
(3) The Ghan, which runs from Adelaide to Darwin, by way of Alice Springs. (Note, the Ghan goes between Adelaide and Alice twice a week, but only once a week does it snake on up to Darwin) Between Darwin and Adelaide, the Ghan passes through (in addition to Alice Springs) Tarcoola, Tennant Creek and Katherine.
All three trains offer various levels of service. On all three, sleeper berths are available, bot h in Gold Kangaroo (first class) and Red Kangaroo (coach). The Red Kangaroo sleepers are all singles, whereas the Gold Kangaroo has both single and double sleeper compartments. On the I-P and the Ghan, there is also one Gold Kangaroo Deluxe Cabin, which has a wide lower bed and a 2nd pull down berth, ensuite shower, comfortable chairs, a mini-fridge and a TV. There's also free champagne.
At the lowest end of the pay scale are Red Kangaroo "Day-Night Sleepers". Basically, they're seats that "kind of" recline. If you consider coach class airplane travel to be a good place for sleep, then the Day-Night area is your ticket. :^/
Prices vary a lot, obviously. A Red Kangaroo Day-Night sleeper chair on the Ghan to Alice Springs is about A$215, whereas a gold Kangaroo double compartment is about A$890 per person. If you're lucky and persistent enough to get the DELUXE cabin, add about 25%.
WE rode the Ghan from Adelaide to Alice Springs, and it was truly an adventure. I'm so glad that we chose to ride the rails, rather than to fly. We met so many interesting folks, and just had a ball traveling with a nod to yesteryear. :) Leave a Comment
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 Cathedral Termite Mound
Stuart Highway near
Darwin by nipper1
if you do that, make sure enough water, food, and tell someone what your up too..then you'll be fine Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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 Kangaroo by darthmilmoLeave a Comment
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 Virgin Blue Airlines, 737-400
series by pchamlis
Virgin Blue is a discount airline. You will basically be taken from point A to point B, per your ticketed request. There's no FREE cabin food or drink service. You buy what you want....or if you're smarter, you BRING what you'd like to eat on board.
No complaints on the food thing, though. The cabin crews are very attentive and friendly....and they appear to be well trained. They're a little more likely to "loosen up" a bit with you as well. Defining the difference between Qantas and Virgin Blue cabin crews is kind of like comparing a prima ballerina (Qantas) to Vegas showgirl (Virgin Blue). Both can dance, but the show girl is much less regimented. Whereas the Qantas crews are very NICE, the Virgin crews are very friendly. See the difference?
Virgin Blue has fewer amenities than Qantas, but their fares are lower. And, they've absolutely embraced the computer age. It's that adult versus teenager playing the video game analogy again. Summing up Virgin's superiority over Qantas in the game of electronic travel, let's just say this..... Virgin Blue airlines has probably NEVER owned a typewriter. : )
Virgin sells only e-tickets, and the best place to buy them is on the website, www.virginblue.com.au
There are three different categories of pricing. There IS no business or first class, the price differences come from ticketing flexiblity....ie can you get a full refund, can you make changes, etc. Just read the descriptions of the various classes of ticket on the website.
And, for domestic travel in Australia, I'd go with Virgin Blue ANYTIME that their schedule meets your needs. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip from Sydney to Adelaide.
Also, I like the little "flying babe" art and names on the front of the planes. I think our plane was called the "Moochie Maroony". :) Leave a Comment
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 The Queenslander by Joenes
It travels from Townsville to Brisbane through (I think) the most beautiful part of Australia.
For instance The Great Barier Reef!
Passes are not very expensive and the trains are very comfortable. Leave a Comment Theme: Train
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 The Intrepid Duck and
Giant Termite Mound. NT. by Intrepidduck
If you can afford the extra expense go for a Tubas rear rack to carry your pannier bags and extras, such as tent, water etc. I used an inferior rack which didn't last the journey, next big trek I'll not hesitate to spend big. Lucky I carried plenty of zip ties and evetually broke it altogeather on the Stuart Highway! However for the front rack I used a Blackburn, where I had four custom made aluminium brackets tooled to fit the existing shocker forks. This proved to be excellant and importantly allowed the often loaded front panniers to ride low, also a must for the rear bags. The pannier bag of choise is undoutably Ortlieb for their water and dust proof, very rubust quality. I used an Ortlieb handle bar bag, modified with foam padding, where I was able to store safely two 35mm cameras, some film and note book. The bags expense is a true investment.
Most importantly I carried water in a 2litre MSR bladder and two 750ml bike bottles as well as one emergency 600ml store purchased spring water. Puncture repair kit, two spare tubes and the Alien multi-tool, useful for regular maintenance and repairs, plus it comes with a very useful beer bottle openner.
A bike odometer is a good accessary to measure your daily distances etc. More tools and spare parts are recommended for long treks. Weight and space become crucial when on long haul bicycle tours, so test rides are recommended before the big trek! Leave a Comment Theme: Bicycle
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 A Qantas 747 approaches a gate
in Brisbane by pchamlis
Traveling to and from Australia is Qantas' forte. Who could possible BE more or KNOW more Australia than Qantas? From the moment you step on board, you KNOW you're in Aussie hands. Even the seat belt announcements sounded like Aussie speak.
......and please keep your seat belts done up right, low and tight. : )
Qantas is a world airline, and their reputation is solid and well-deserved. Many in the airline world know that in their entire history, Qantas has NEVER had a passenger fatality due to an accident. (And I hope I never have to edit this tip, either.) Qantas planes are new and well-maintained. Crews are well-trained and professonal.
The only negative I will say about Qantas is this.... sometimes, I think they're still a little uncomfortable with the new world of airline travel. Many of the OLD things Qantas does are great....they still give you food and drinks on almost every flight. They give you nifty gift packs and such. And, they treat you with very attentive service. But..... they still have paper tickets in their arsenal. Sure, they do e-tickets, too. But, God help you if THEY think they've issued a paper ticket and YOU think you have an e-ticket. Let's just say that we had some anxious moments in the Los Angeles airport on June 15th. : )
In many ways, Qantas reminds me of an adult playing a video game. They may become good at playing, but they just don't have the knack that the kids have. Qantas sometimes seems this way with their computers and web approach. Just MHO.
But, I recommend flying Qantas. They're excellent. Leave a Comment
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