Ten years of awes in Oz

August 16 2009

In 24 hours, I'll be starting out on what has become my annual pilgrimage to one of my favorite places on Earth -- Australia.  I'm arriving (and recovering) on Wednesday, starting with meetings on Thursday and Friday, and have two user group events (Sydney on Monday the 24th, Melbourne on Tuesday the 25th), the Lotus Technical University as well on Tuesday, and a few meetings on Wednesday before starting the long journey back to Chicago for MWLUG on Thursday the 27th).  For those interested in the user groups, I'll be posting details here and/or Twitter ASAP.  Look forward to seeing many of you again.

My first visit to Australia was in 1999 for the Lotus Fusion event on the Gold Coast.  Somehow I had it in my head that I might not get back to Australia again anytime soon, so planned on visiting Sydney, Cairns/Barrier Reef, Gold Coast, and Melbourne/Great Ocean Road all in one trip.  Never made it to Victoria on that one.  I tried again in 2001 to do the Great Ocean Road on my way to Fusion; instead I ended up in hospital for five days after a moped accident in Thailand.  In 2006, I had another weekend in Melbourne, again planned to do the drive...and was so tired out from a crazy week that I slept in until noon.

Well, this time I'm not going to back off.  Saturday morning, I'm setting off in a rented Toyota Prius to see the Great Ocean Road.  I'm not coming back until I've seen the "Twelve Apostles", the lighthouse at Cape Nelson, and maybe some whales off Warramabool.  See you all down under!!!!

Ed Brill | Highland Park, IL USA Category:  Travel  Add/View Comments [17]

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  1. 1  Ethann Castell http://www.caliton.com | 8/16/2009 11:21:14 PM

    You won't regret it. The Great Ocean Road is well... GREAT! My tip would be to leave Melbourne early in the morning so you can make the most of your time.

  1. 2  Bruce Elgort http://elguji.com/products | 8/16/2009 11:31:20 PM

    Safe travels Ed. We have a lot of customers in New Zealand and Australia. It's one of our fastest growing geographies.

  1. 3  Bruce Langner  | 8/17/2009 12:13:06 AM

    I have driven it a couple of times but only as far as Apollo Bay. The first time was just stunning because everything was new. You will like Lorne, and Apollo Bay, as little places to stop and take a rest; apart from the myriad of interesting places along the way. The second time was not long after a severe bush fire had raged along that part of the coast so it wasn't quite so good. Sadly there are only 11 apostles now. One of them fell to the ravages of the sea a little while ago; however they are still referred to as the 12 Apostles. You will also find find that "Warramabool" is in fact "Warrnambool" however you can be forgiven because as you know Australian place names can get a little exotic. For example, a place not far from where I was born is called "Goonoo Goonoo" however it is pronounced like "gun-knee gun-noo". Have a great trip; relax and enjoy the Great Ocean Road. Best advice is don't drive too fast :)

  1. 4  Colin Williams  | 8/17/2009 2:38:25 AM

    Go well and enjoy your trip Ed! Great choice of rental car BTW!

  1. 5  Michelle O’Rorke http://michelles-universe.blogspot.com | 8/17/2009 3:53:47 AM

    Ed - it is truely a fantastic drive. But be aware - although only 300km or so, it will take you all day, particularly if you stop a few times.

    There are also some fantastic regional foods available along the way - so check out Timboon Farmhouse Cheese and Timboon Fine Icecream. Timboon is not far from the 12 Appostles. For more info, check out the food & wine section on this web site:

    { Link }

  1. 6  Eoin Meaney  | 8/17/2009 4:05:51 AM

    Try to stop in Port Fairy if you can (28 kilometres/17 mi west of Warrnambool). Really pretty, well preserved town.

  1. 7  Glenn Richardson  | 8/17/2009 8:19:50 AM

    Look forward to seeing you at LTU. The Great Ocean Road is a fantastic drive, and there are so many great towns along the way, one day is not enough.

  1. 8  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 8/17/2009 8:20:18 AM

    @5 thanks... I am "winging it" and planning to overnight somewhere along the way (Port Douglas, Warrnambool, etc.). @6 I would definitely like to get to Port Fairy before heading back to Melbourne.

  1. 9  mike  | 8/17/2009 10:08:50 AM

    Prius ?! I thought Ed Brill was a convertible BMW type of guy !

  1. 10  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 8/17/2009 10:24:04 AM

    @10 Ed Brill is the kind of guy who has a new child on the way in a matter of weeks... in my mind I'll be in a BMW convertible. Besides, it's going to be a little chilly for the top down.

  1. 11  Graham Dodge  | 8/17/2009 3:40:03 PM

    Port Douglas? Make sure you read the maps carefully and don't wind up in the Port Douglas a little north of Cairns in Queensland. Either that or take the unlimited mileage option.

    See you at the Sydney User Group meeting.

    .

  1. 12  Richard Moy http://www.dominointerface.com | 8/17/2009 5:23:53 PM

    Ed,

    I wish I was there. Have great time and we will see you back in Chicago at the MWLUG conference.

  1. 13  Mark Demicoli http://www.clickbook.net | 8/17/2009 7:28:14 PM

    Melbourne (Victoria) is a deeply Notes state. The public service adopted Notes en-mass in 2002. Having many friends in the public service, I tend to spend weekends fighting for it. You know some departments are still on Notes 5? HELP!

  1. 14  Evelyn Scanlan  | 8/17/2009 7:37:41 PM

    Fantastic, I am trying to get to the Melbourne one, just discovered it's in the evening so I should be able to make it if there is still space.

  1. 15  Henry Ferlauto  | 8/18/2009 2:36:30 PM

    Does Qantas still sell the "Vegemite special travel kit?" :)

  1. 16  Richard http://www.flickr.com/photos/banjaxx/sets/72157621828261633/ | 8/18/2009 10:29:15 PM

    Enjoy! JUST Back from a month away in Aus (and NZ for the first time, another perennially beautiful place). Discovered the melbourne countryside and endless vineyards for the first time, put napa to shame :) { Link }

    and an hour north of Brisbane, found the Noosa / Sunshine Coast area. Glorious. { Link }

    Ps. Mine's a flat-white please!