New to here and HS we live in the gorgeous depths of the Devon countryside, unfortunately we lost our beloved Great Dane just before Christmas so we are going to visit my sister in Brisbane next month, we will be there for 3 weeks and will be visiting Sydney etc while there. I am an ex vet nurse and my specialty is dog knowledge . We have had 8 Danes up to now. We welcome any ideas and tips for Australia, we’re flying via LA both ways so stopover tips at the airport/ lounges etc also welcomed
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Welcome i live in Australia and my daughter lives on the sunny coast near Brisbane so i visit every month. Im going to look after a friend’s dogs in Devon when they are ready to travel. You will love Brisbane.
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Hi @Lindane8,
I am so sorry to hear of your recent loss. Great Danes are one of my favorite breeds just big gentle goofballs. My husband and I visited Australia (housesitting with THS several years ago and traveling around before and after sits.) We’ve written several blogs about our time there maybe you might find the info helpful for planning your trip. There’s so much to see in Australia and while we were there for quite a bit we’ll certainly be back as we only scratched the surface.
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Oh wow that’s amazing Deborah, my sister lives on th Sunshine Coast so not actually in Brisbane as such, we thought we might spend the last few days of our trip in Brisbane ready to fly back from there. I wonder where you’re house sitting in Devon ?
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Hi @Lindane8 and a warm welcome to THS and the forum. So very sad you lost your dear Great Dane just before Christmas as I’m sure you wouldn’t have felt much like celebrating.
Lovely to know you’re flying south to Oz to visit your sister on the Sunshine Coast - a beautiful location. I’m Australian but live down in Victoria. I’m sure your sister has told you it could be a wet and humid time in March but, just being there with her, will be special. I’ll leave it to the Queenslanders to give you more hints and tips.
I escape to the UK during our winter and will be in Teignmouth on a sit in June. Hoping to pick another sit up either in Devon or Cornwall for part of July.
Where in Devon are you?
Have a wonderful time Down Under!
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I think they are not far from.exeter in the countryside. The sunny coast is lovely, very busy since covid. Lot of people moved north. Im popping up again next week.
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We just returned from our 3rd trip to Australia — each with some great pet sitting experiences. Absolutely love Australia. On this last trip we used the airport lounge in Sydney as we had a long layover between 2 red eye flights. Helped loads and well worth the money.
Enjoy!! Loads of housesits should you decide you want to explore that as well.
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@Lindane8 what a stately beauty! So very sorry for your loss. I know first hand the pain in your heart when you lose a special family member.
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Hello temba, we’re just the other side of Hatherleigh in the hamlet of Iddesleigh. We know Teignmouth quite well, an interesting little place and the coast is lovely. I’m hoping it won’t be too wet in March for us, get enough of that here ! 
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I roughly know your location @Lindane8 as I know Okehampton and Great Torrington and that part of north Devon.
Queensland had better be kind to you! At least it won’t be cold!!
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I do hope you enjoy Australia. Should your schedule allow when in Sydney try a ferry trip to Manly from Circular Quay. As you leave the quay, passengers can stand at the rear and get photos framed by the the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Inexpensive and an excellent way to see around the harbour. Ferries leave and return regularly.
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Hi @Lindane8 we are Queenslanders currently in the UK sitting for 4.5 months. We’ve been here for 3 months. Our next sit is at Heytesbury near Warminster. We are currently in Cardiff for a few days.
We are from Scarborough on the Redcliffe Peninsular, just north of Brisbane. Take some summer clothes with you as it will still be hot and humid being the wet season. The Sunny Coast is lovely, you will be able to swim every day. It has the last of the rolling surf beaches before the Great Barrier Reef islands further north stops thevsurf breaks. There is a great aquarium at Mooloolabah, Underwater World, if you want to see some sealife and do a shark experience. Also a sunset river cruise through the the everglades is great. I can highly recommended a day trip to the hinterland to Montville and Maleny, in particular Maleny Bird World & botanical gardens which is a hidden gem.
I think the best thing is our fresh seafood in Queensland, you can’t get any better. Get some fish & chips and some fresh prawns, find a picnic table overlooking the water (there are plenty) and soak in the view.
Brisbane is a fabulous city with lots of rooftop & laneway bars. Howard Smith Wharves is a great spot for on the river drinks and food. We really embrace our river life so spend a few dollars and an hour on a ferry, any ferry, to ride the river to get a different view of the city. You can get off at Southbank for restaurants, bars, shopping, museums, the Brisbane Eye, markets and the lagoon which is a beach in the heart of the city. There is a bit of construction going on in Brisbane as we are hosting the 2032 olympic games but don’t let that put you off.
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Thank you so much Crookie for you very comprehensive guide, and many useful tips, we really look forward to all of this, getting excited now !
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Hi @Lindane8,
Welcome and all the best for your trip. I concur regarding the Manly Ferry - its just a regular commuter ferry (albeit large) and I ALWAYS recommend it to visitors… if not take them myself so I can join in the thrill. Fabulous on a sunny, windy day - but almost any day is a good day to and from Manly. We live in the south of the city at Cronulla where we have great beaches - Bondi is not the only one! And, if you are keen walkers, then the train to Cronulla and a ride to Bundeena on another (much smaller though) ferry is wonderful and a walk into the National Park to Wedding Cake Rock is another highlight. Credit cards do the trick for tickets at most train stations/ferry terminals. But the Cronulla ferry still requires cash. Oh, and don’t do the National Park walk on a hot day…just go as far as Bundeena and have a beer/soft drink and light meal at the newly refurbished community club https://bundeenacsc.com.au/ Fab views of the Cronulla peninsular and Bate Bay.
General advice : Don’t try to do/see too much…we specialise in really long distances - Yes, we are a BIG country!!! So spend a few days in each place - not one day here and one day there - because that way you spend nearly all your time travelling. And pack less clothes,not more!! You don’t need heaps of gear. And pack a hat for sun protection and light cotton long sleeves/long pants for mosquito protection in Queensland at sundown.
I’m not a big fan of LA stopovers but, if you can’t avoid this, then plan something to keep you sane and pop a few “patience-pills”!!
Bon Voyage!
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Hi Lindane,
So sorry to hear about your dog. I lost my little schnauzer 5 months ago at nearly 15, so I completely understand. I’m a Brit living in Brisbane and am going back to the UK for a couple of weeks in August/September to house sit in a beautiful village near Dorchester - can’t wait! Hope you have a great time here - there’s so much to see and do. Feel free to get in contact when you’re here 
Regards
Melanie
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Welcome, @Melanie1! I just wanted to make sure @Lindane8 saw your message, so I’ve tagged them.
And welcome too, @Lindane8! I hope you have a wonderful time in Australia.
I don’t know if you two are TH members yet. If so, it’s always handy to add a link to your TH profile:
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Hello, im babysitting in your area atm. I come up from.adelaide every couple.of weeks to look after my grandchild. I love Redcliff and Scarborough. Enjoy your UK stay. I go there as well.to see relatives and friends . DEBORAH
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