Planning Australia Free and Easy Self Drive Tour – Sydney to Gold Coast

The Year End Holiday Plan

To bring my family on a 7-day free and easy self drive tour in Australia, from Sydney to Gold Coast, together with my sister-in-law’s family, on the second week of December 2015.

Self Proposed Itinerary

Day 1: @Syndney | Paddy’s Market | Madame Tussards (close at 7pm) | The Rocks (+shopping) | Darling Harbour (dinner) | Night Cruise

Day 2: @Sydney |  Hop on Hop Off tour | Ferry pass | Jet boat ride | iMax (close 9pm) | Fish Market (Lunch) | Cruise Dinner

Day 3: @Sydney | Morning Herald Growers’ Market | Hertz (pick car) | Drive to Blue Mountain (2 hours) | @ Blue Mountain | Rail and Cable car | 3 sisters | shop | 1000 steps

Day 4: Drive to Port Stephens (2.5 hours) | @ Port Stephens | Sand Dunes | Camel Ride | Drive to Port MacQuarie (2.5 hours) | @ Port MacQuarie |Night Activities

Day 5: Drive to Coffs Harbour (2 hours) | @ Coffs Harbour | Service Centre | MacDonalds (lunch) | Drive to Gold Coast | @ Gold Coast | Ripley’s Believe it or not | Beach | Night Activities

Day 6: @ Gold Coast | Movie World | Apartment (self-cook dinner) | Night Shopping

Day 7: @ Gold Coast | Surfers Paradise Beach Front Market | Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (close 5pm) | Harbor Town Factory Outlet

Day 8: @ Gold Coast | Drive to Airport | Return Car | Fly Home

Renting a Car in Sydney Australia

• Reserved a Nissan Qashqai from Hertz at AU$573 for 5 days. Pick up from Sydney William Street and return at Gold Coast Airport.

Whale and Dolphin Watching in Sydney

• Whale is cancelled because they swim away from Australia at the end of the year. :(
• Where to see dolphins in or near Sydney Australia?
  • Dolphin Watch cruises at Jervis Bay, NSW. 3 hour drive south from Sydney.  About AU$35 per person for 1.5 hours.
  • Dolphin Swim Australia at Port Stephens, NSW. 2.5 hour drive north of Sydney.  About AU$60 per person for 4 hours.
• We may skip dolphin watching altogether due to tight schedule.
• Plan another trip to watch the whales instead.

Trivial Questions that Popped Up

• How big is Sydney? Where is the border?  

Sydney, Australia Travel Guide – Must-See Attractions  https://youtu.be/LpgoeCpxU1M

More Questions about getting around in Australia

Any unlimited data mobile fees?

• 3 major telcos. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone
• smaller telcos. Virgin, Lebara, Amaysim, TPG.
• Need an unlocked phone.
• Need a passport of ID.
•  $49.
• May be I will stick with Starhub international data roaming.
• $18/Day DataRoam Daily Unlimited. Australia. Telstra. -http://www.starhub.com/personal/mobile/value-added-services/roaming/postpaid-roaming/coverage-18.html
• Price stated is applicable for International Roaming subscribers. A 20% surcharge applies on top of prevailing rates for Pay-As-You-Roam subscribers. Promotion price is valid till 31 December 2015.  ^Not applicable to customers subscribing to RoamEasy. A 20% surcharge applies on top of prevailing rates for Pay-As-You-Roam subscribers.
• How do I enjoy DataRoam Daily Unlimited?  Customers can simply log onto the designated preferred roaming operators in the designated countries/destinations to enjoy DataRoam Daily Unlimited.
• Who can enjoy DataRoam Daily Unlimited? StarHub Mobile postpaid customers subscribing to either International Roaming or Pay-As-You-Roam service are eligible to enjoy DataRoam Daily Unlimited Promotion.  A 20% surcharge applies on top of prevailing rates for Pay-As-You-Roam subscribers. -http://www.starhub.com/personal/support/mobile/roaming/dataroam-unlimited-faq.html
• How much data does google map use on a 4-hour drive? About 20MB. -https://m.reddit.com/r/androidapps/comments/2pe0qe/how_much_data_does_google_maps_use_for_a_4hour/

Sources:

• Guide to renting a car in Australia
  • http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g255055-c119403/Australia:Rental.Vehicles.html
  • http://www.alphacarhire.com.au/travel-guide/australia/top-10-car-hire-tips
  • https://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au/travel-guides/guide-to-renting-a-car-in-australia/
  • https://images.hertz.com/pdfs/Asia_Hertz_Australia_Driving_Guide.pdf
• https://pixabay.com/en/australia-map-teritories-geography-157273/
• http://www.hotelclub.com/blog/best-spots-to-see-dolphins-in-australia/
• https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Travel-g255055-c207729/Australia:Sim.Card.Options.html