[Moorf]

I've found the website where I can get visas for our weekend in Brisbane. Has anyone else here done it all online from NZ? Before I go ahead I want to check it's the best way to do it....

http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/index.html

[Smiler]

We did it for Melbourne, easy peasy lemon squeezy. Just remember to take them with you...............:p

[Tanya]

Moorf

Richard used this one when he needed a visa for oZ

http://www.ausvisa.iborders.com/

Tanya :nice1

[Tanya]

Dont forget - the 12 month visa validity starts from the day you apply so if you aren't going for a few months then its best to wait if you think you might pop over again.

Tanya

[Moorf]

Thanks Tanya! :nice1

[Jaideco]

I don't understand? Is this a thing for people on American passports or something? I didn't have to apply for any kind of a visa when I visited Aus for a few days (admittedly 4 years ago).

I am assuming that we aren't talking about going there for the purposes of working.

[Oregonkiwi]

Jaideco - I had the same question as you, I hadn't heard of anyone needing a visa for Oz, but if you look at the links you will see that yes, everyone except NZ citizens DOES need a visa now. (I don't know if the rules changed recently or if I just didn't have to worry about it in the past because I am a NZ citizen, but anyway, there it is.)
I'm really glad I saw this thread because my US-citizen husband wants to visit Oz next year and I wouldn't have known about the visa requirement. (And that's why we all love this forum! :) )

[Moorf]

I have Tanya to thank for brining this subject up a few weeks ago... otherwise it's not something I'd have looked into!! I just didn't think!

[SteveR]

when you apply for the ETA for Australia you have to give your passport number. you dont need to remember the code that the online version gives you because as soon as you get to australia they scan your passport and it tells them that you was granted the ETA.
Dont forget to make sure your NZ returning residents visa's are still current otherwise they may not let you back into NZ

Moorf make sure you go to Dreamworld and do the giant drop!!
http://www.dreamworld.com.au/content/standard3.asp?name=Big5GiantDrop

its just outside Surfers Paradise about 50km from Brisbane

[Avalon]

Oooh - thanks for this thread - we are heading to Melbourne in June - at long last - I get to land on Aussie soil!

[Moorf]

It'll be my first time too Avalon!

Ohh SteveR thanks for that link! Right up my street! :D

[Avalon]

It'll be my first time too Avalon!

Ohh SteveR thanks for that link! Right up my street! :D
Unfortuantly - OH is a big wuss when it comes to rollercoater stuff :uhoh

Otherwise - we are also heading to the Gold coast at somepoint - so it would be worth a look.

How does it compare to Alton Towers / Blackpool? Moorf - you may have to go on a reccy trip and report back :D

[Moorf]

Moorf - you may have to go on a reccy trip and report back :D

:( Nah, not this time, we're only there for a long weekend, no car....

[Jules]

How does it compare to Alton Towers / Blackpool? Moorf - you may have to go on a reccy trip and report back :D

We went to Dreamworld and Seaworld when we were over there a few weeks back and they are 10 times better than Blackpool etc. I must admit I am a bit of a wus when is comes to the big rollercoster :o I prefer the log flumes :nice1 You must go on the one at Dreamworld you get totally soaked :laugh Luckly it was hot when we went so we dried out pretty fast.

Jules

[SteveR]

you got to go and do the giant drop!!!!!!

all the theme parks around Surfers (dreamworld,wet n wild, sea world and movie world are all smaller than Alton towers but each has its own special feature. there are signs at the entrance to dream world that there could be queue's of 1.5 hrs for some rides although we went a few weeks ago and you could almost get straight on each ride with little or no queue (kids were back at school)

the 2 things i would highly recomend if your going to the gold coast/surfers Paradise is:
1 giant drop at dreamworld
2 Draculars cabaret http://www.draculas.com.au/goldcoast_queensland/index.asp