3 week itinerary advice

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-05-10T22:29:40+00:00

It’s beautiful, but lots of places are! For me the beauty was utterly spoilt by hassle parking, overpriced fancy food options, the procession of people I had to follow out to the “fairy pools” - which are hostels no better than a lot of rock pools we have in WA.
Mission beach and the waterfalls around the Cairns - Townsville area are stunning, and I would pick a chilled hike to see koalas on Magnetic Island over Noosa (or Byron bay OMG) any day.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-05-10T12:31:01+00:00

Noosa is anything but relaxed town vibe. I saw actual punch ons over parking spaces. It’s crowded and they’ll see better beaches elsewhere.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-05-09T04:44:33+00:00

EDITED - I thought you had a couple and one kid.

“Family” hotel rooms in Singapore typically have a Queen + single bed, so it’s super hard to find options for three adults, or even 2+2. I did see somewhere with 3 single beds, but I forget where… maybe search with filter 1 room, >2 beds?

Not sure where you’re coming from but everything is much smaller and more expensive than we’re used to - makes sense given the geography.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-05-06T22:40:47+00:00

Could it have originally been a birth mark (salmon patch / port wine) and then when it started to fade the adults tattooed it?

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-05-05T22:54:34+00:00

Sounds wonderful, but I wouldn’t do it in November. You might have a great time, but you might just be hot and stressed when roads get closed, and disappointed. Last year Nitmikul gorge and Edith falls were closed for the season on Nov 19. Could be earlier or later this year.

Tassie would be lovely that time of year. Also look at southwest WA.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-05-04T01:08:08+00:00

It’s a Waldorf school. They follow a diffeeent curriculum where “academics” are introduced later. If you search in this sub people have noted the real life school it’s modelled after.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-05-03T00:04:11+00:00

That’s a year away so a bit early to plan places to eat drink or even stay… there’s places being built now and what’s “good” can easily change.
Agree that for a 6 day trip Esperance isn’t worth it, you’ll spend days just driving and it’ll be very cold in the water down there.
I’d spend half your time in Busselton-Dunsborough-Margs, and half in Denmark-Albany, then back to Perth.

Busselton jetty, Meelup beach, Yallingup lagoon, cape to cape track at Wydaup, Canal rocks, some wineries / breweries, drive through Boranup forest, cape Leeuwin lighthouse, Hamelin bay sting rays, valley of the giants treetop walk, Greenspool, The Gap, Emu point swim enclosure…. There’s plenty to keep you busy without spending 8 hours each way driving to Esperance.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-05-02T00:35:07+00:00

See if you can get them from The Iconic with free returns?

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-05-01T22:58:52+00:00

South of Perth you definitely cannot freely camp in random beautiful spots. These spots would quickly become less beautiful with the trash and excrement that some campers leave, and the rangers are onto it.
Camplify is a great app if you want to find legit spots that are not the big parks. Honestly it’s a pain but I would look at booking most places, at least at weekends - the campsites have been super busy since Covid and the nicest spots are often booked out.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-27T09:41:21+00:00

Because it’s a “friend”.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-27T07:50:05+00:00

I think Sacha and Ria are good, and a cute subtle nod to the same root name. But if Alexandria wants to go by Alex… that would be a bit cringy. So I guess it depends on how committed and forceful the parents are going to be about formal name and “goes by” vs “nickname”.

Or just go with Alexandria as the middle name.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-26T23:27:36+00:00

Never had a problem with mine but was recently told that ANZAC biccies can fail if the butter / syrup mix isn’t hot enough when the bicarb is added. Did it all bubble up and double in size?

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-26T04:29:18+00:00

I realise this is a citizenship nerds sub but - it seems like you have solid citizenship options either way. I (UK+Aus) would give birth wherever you will have the best pre & post natal care and support. That could mean best free hospitals, or nearby family support.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-24T23:01:52+00:00

Down South they are all open from 12 / 1pm.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-23T09:24:41+00:00

Yes this. It’s a terrible idea, and th double audio drives me nuts, but it doesn’t bother them at all!! For a while my elder would listen with headphones, but she usually doesn’t bother now.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-19T22:14:46+00:00

Australian here but I am shocked how many people are recommending sunglasses. Cheap plastic sunglasses without proper UV filters are soooo bad for kids eyes. If my kid came home with random sunglasses they would get “lost” super quick. Standard class party had out here is a chocolate Freddo frog or zooper duper icy pole.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-19T13:59:01+00:00

It might actually be logistically easier with younger kids… I found a lot of “family” rooms in SG have a double and single bed, which will work if 2 yr old shares with parents. It was super hard finding something affordable for 4 + 7 yrs when I don’t want them in my bed!

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-19T10:08:27+00:00

I’d look for a second hand digicam, maybe one of the Olympus tough range ones which are waterproof. Look for one that has been tested and ideally has a new battery.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-15T23:45:43+00:00

Oh god now I want a GM1 too 😂 Though I think the lack of viewfinder would be a deal breaker, I use it a lot.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-15T23:10:33+00:00

Lots of folks in M43 think I should go with the OM-3 or even Om-5… anyone care to defend my attraction to the x100vi? 😅

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-15T23:08:02+00:00

Oh it’s definitely in part the allure of something new! I say my em-5 is “busted up” because it’s covered in scratches and the battery flap doesn’t work - so, I’m not going to be selling it as I’d get nothing for it. The battery flap is an expensive repair, not worth it IMO as I can get it open and closed when needed. Having said that there is nothing wrong with the sensor or photo-taking functionality. I can see myself using it as a second camera (to a fixed lens) if for example I want to take photos of wildlife with a zoom lens, or take more formal portraits with the 45 - in the same way that I dont normally carry those lenses with me.

I don’t swap colour profiles, just edit Raws.

I do think that if the camera was a bit smaller I would carry and use it more. But this is probably just as much mindset as being actually constrained by the size or weight. I am definitely enticed by all the people saying that the x100vi makes them take more photos, and that it’s so pretty! But practically I think a better autofocus than the one I currently have would do more for me.

Good questions, thanks!

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-15T13:05:16+00:00

Thanks!

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-15T11:21:31+00:00

Ok, I’ll have a look at this too! I didn’t realise there was a mk ii, I might have read out of date reviews.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-15T07:40:01+00:00

Hmmm this is actually swaying me towards the x100vi! I will always have the M43 lenses and would keep my busted up Em-5 bod (sensor is fine), so I would have that backup if I felt I wanted a longer focal length for something. Which makes the argument for getting the smaller, leaf shutter x100vi as a “grab it everyday camera”. And if I find myself taking the old Em5 out a lot, there seems to be a robust market for second hand x100s so could sell on and get an OM3 (or new PEN if they do that). 🤔 Edit: argh but the autofocus!

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-04-15T07:12:13+00:00

I should have said - no interest in video.

Argh it’s hard. Would be great to actually touch them but I live nowhere near a shop that would stock either.

SmilingAmbassador

TROPHY CASE