Good Luck with a Qantas upgrade....I must say not my favourite Airline. I fly United when I go to and from the US.
I'm assuming the package has bought full price economy tickets or it might be tourist class? This often affects upgrades. And I'm pretty sure tour groups rarely get an upgrade. It is usually offered to couples at the desk who are "well dressed"
Anyway...I love reading others comments on Australia.
It is a bit nippy in Sydney at the moment. I have my quilt and electric blanket on most nights. BUT in the sun it is pretty good.
I am a winter person and LOATHE Summer (thats when I hop over to the US during our summer
) so I love this time of year. The best time is September though.
As for Meat pies...even the "crap" ones are better than what passed for a meat pie in a Canadian supermarket. There are a number of really good ones out here though. Bourke street Bakery which is down the road from Central Station is AMAZING. I don't know if you will get up that way. It is the CBD and only minutes away but not where all the "touristy" shops are. Just keep following George street...lol. I'm not sure how you get around on the tour but we have CBD green free shuttle buses during the day.
Re Bridgeclimb....I think the Skywalk is better (but not for the faint of heart). This is where you go up to the top of centrepoint tower and go out onto a platform which has glass that goes clear underneath your feet. In the very least you must go to the general observation deck.
Another way to get a great view is to go to the summit restaurant:
http://www.summitrestaurant.com.au/
The food is AMAZING and the view from the revolving restaurant is simply spectacular.
The Hard Rock Cafe NO LONGER exists in Sydney.
In McDonalds indeed it is our meat...so better quality....what can I say.
The Wraps are really good too.
In Melbourne you can go to the top of the Eureka tower which has like a box that goes out of the top of the building.
Onto the reef. Its been a number of years since I went up there but the water is never too bad. It is a tropical area. As for Stingers they are a VERY serious issue. It may not be the season but they can be there anytime and they are lethal. I'm glad Disney take this seriously because it is better being a living dag than the other option.
Do have fun though and just let yourself float. I love snorkling up there and the reef in parts will probably be right beneath you. I hope you see a turtle. I remember following a turtle as it swam beneath me. Of course it is a bit mesmerizing so I had to stop myself before I swam too far.
Sigh...I love living in Oz. I hope the weather treats you well. I would suggest layering as in the sun it can get warm. I usually do a T-shirt, long sleeve top and jacket. If it is overcast I will have a long sleeve top on the bottom and then a couple of jacket options and just see what it is like.
G'day!
Oh and yeah kangaroos are skittled all over the roads in the outback. And get used to the red dirt when you are out there!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! Wish I had some in Sydney.
Well why don't I get you into the mood for some dirt...and other critters...