Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi,

I will be visiting Australia from the 17th to the 30th of September this year; one of my bucket list events. My wife has a two day conference in Perth, and we will be flying in and out of Sydney. We may stop in Melbourne. I would appreciate your thoughts on any must dos in and around these 3 cities, plus any Lotus related stuff. Of course I would be glad to buy any of you a pint (or two) if you would like to get together.

Thanks
Bob

Perth is lovely! Great wine country down south around Margret River and some pretty beaches and big caves. Fremantle is nice too.

Can't suggest much around Sydney, never spent much time there.

Melbourne is a great place to visit. Food is great (and more wine country in the Yarra Valley), city is nice and pretty easy to get around. Weather can be.... interesting. The Lindsay Fox car museum isn't too bad for Australia either. Last time I was there they had some nice things you don't see much - F40, F50, Enzo, Jag XJ15, Merc 190E 2.3 Cosworth, Merc 540K and some other things.

There's various zoo's and things if you want to do the pat the kangaroo stuff as well.

Usual sights in Sydney are well worth seeing. Opera house for whatever is on (we ended up seeing a dreadful opera, but it was still worth it) Bennelong restaurant in the opera house for a meal before. Bridgeclimb up the harbour bridge, Captain Cook tour of the harbour (or get a more exclusive charter boat with booze and food), ferry to Manly, Taronga zoo, and if you are up for it, the Cottage Point Inn on the Hawkesbury river north of Sydney. We flew up there with Sydney Seaplanes, but given recent events driving might be better. If you can get out of Sydney for a couple of days, the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley wine region are within easy reach.

We were there last year and enjoyed it so much we are going back for Christmas.

If you are staying in a hotel on Circular Quay watch out as the hotels run a scam (in my opinion) where they describe rooms as having a 'harbour view'. There are two harbours, Darling harbour and Sydney harbour. You want the view over Sydney harbour (the bridge and the opera house) not the other way.

Good luck, I am sure you will enjoy it.

I'm in Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges pretty much in the Yarra Valley .
You'd be more than welcome stay and we could show you around the city as well as the wine and hills regions etc. Have a few things around the workshop you may be interested in as well.
Currently in Mexico till the start of September but free after then.
You can send me PM if you're interested.
Dave

One of the best (if not the best) driving routes in Victoria is to head north out of Melbourne up the Hume Highway. Stop at Glenrowan and visit the Ned Kelly museum there (Ned Kelly is a famous, in Australia at least, bushranger). Turn right along the Great Alpine Road toward Bright. Bright is a beautiful country town. Coming into Bright there are numerous wineries and a Venison farm where you can stop and enjoy a meal, drink, or the scenery. Head out of Bright towards Falls Creek. There's a trout farm just out of Bright where you can catch your own fish if that's your thing. Falls Creek is a ski resort during winter. If you are lucky there may still be small patches of snow at the time of your visit. The top of Falls creek has a stunning lake. The Great Alpine Road between Falls Creek and Omeo is a truly fantastic drive. Will test any car or driver and there isn't a lot of traffic. Keep following the Great Alpine Road heading towards Lakes Entrance along the coast. From there you can either take the quick route back to Melbourne along the Princes Highway or you can hug the coast and visit the Wilson's Promontory and Philip Island (great if you like penguins and seals) tourist resorts. It's a long drive about 800km. I normally do it over 2 days stopping at Bright overnight.
There are other drives such as the Great Ocean road between Geelong and Apollo Bay which has beautiful views of the coastline however it's usually packed full of tourists and speed cameras.

I have some 'interweb mo'orsickle buddies' down in Oz who speak highly of that Falls Creek-Omeo road.

One of these days I have GOT to get down and see your country. My brother did about 15 years ago and had nothing but good to report.

Lots of great roads through the Victorian Alps ( hills really by Alpine standards ).. Just need to pick the time and day to avoid being slowed down by those motorcycle and turbo hot hatch guys who think they are quick through the corners compared to a little 50 year old sports car

cheers
Rohan

Thanks for the input. This is the kind of info I am looking for. Now I just need to find an Elan for these great roads.

Bob
Rec'd your PM message and tried to return but both attempts showing holding in "outbox."
Could you please pm me your normal email so I can get back to you. Very frustrating when these systems muck you about.
Dave

Dave, that is normal. It will stay in your outbox until Bob opens it.
Eric in Burnley

ericbushby wrote:Dave, that is normal. It will stay in your outbox until Bob opens it.
Eric in Burnley

Oh! Got it
Thanks Eric I'm not used to the message system .
I now know, thanks a lot
Dave

Hi Bob,

Happy to grab a bee rod bite to eat when you in town.

I'm Sydney based and would suggest the following, Opera House costs or show, its iconic, a ferry trip across the harbour to Manly for stroll along the beach from to Shelly Beach for coffee/brunch or a lunch at Hugos on the ferry wharf. I'm slightly biased as I live in Manly!

Oh and there is the beach on the south side of Sydney known as Bondi Beach, a lunch at Icebergs at southern end is always a lovely way to enjoy the scenery.

Like the Opera House, the Zoo sits on the Harbour with views back to the city.

Depending on budget, the sea plane trip from Rose Bay on the Harbour to Pittwater for a much at Cottage Point and return provides an opportunity to see the full extent of the harbour and beatiful northern beach and waterways topped off with superb food.

If you're into wine a trip up to the Hunter Valley via the Putty Road is a lovely country drive with great wines and food and accommodation. Or a drive up to the Blue Mountains for a night, scenic railway and walks in the valley.

My mobile is 0412 975 932

Cheers

Vaughan