[Stubbs]

Word

So I've got some work in PNG which is in shifts, 2 rotations of 6 weeks of 77 hr weeks and then 3 weeks off (want to spend the second holiday in Europe).  I thought I'd use the opportunity to visit some of the hotspots in the deeeep south.  Bearing in mind i will be pretty f*cked after 6 weeks of 7 day weeks my two ideas so far are:

- Go to Sydney, chill in the city, do a bit of surfing, pose on some of those slopers at Sissy
- Go to Castle Hill, commune with some sheep, pose on some limestone slopers

I'd like to tap the collective UKB mind for other suggestions and opinions on which of these is bestest?

[saltbeef]

get savagely fit and go and do serpentine. taipan is incredible.

[Houdini]

Sydney, Adelaide etc.. Is there any difference?  Really?

Stick to the countryside whatever.  I'd go to NZ meself.

[Carnage]

The first thing is when are you going to be around? Wouldn't want to be height of our summer for anywhere in particular if you want to climb.

Serpentine I've been told is rather overrated and there are many better on that wall.

[Stubbs]

Late May so winterish I guess?

[Carnage]

Thats a good time, especially on the East Coast and can be one the best times for good, dry spells and nice temps (high teens/low 20's day time, and below 10 in the mornings).

Sydney is a great place to hang out and I'd take the opportunity if you can. Melbourne is cool too but has much shittier winter weather.

Castle Hill, I've not been to but it could be covered in snow then and if not, will certainly be getting damn cold. Also  unless you're into other outdoor pursuits, theres fuck all else to do in Christchurch when you're not climbing.

PM me if you want more.

[Mike Tyson]

Three weeks in Australia, what would I do?

I wouldn't come back mate 

[Mike Tyson]

I've just realised it may look like I'm telling you not to come back dude!!!

I meant if it was me, I wouldn't come back, personally, I'm not saying you shouldn't, I'm going to shut up now.

Oops!

[dave]

i'd probably go to NZ and check out the toothbrush fence, chill with those crazy scottish bastards.

[Adam Lincoln]

Serpentine I've been told is rather overrated and there are many better on that wall.

Who told you that? 

Err, wait a minute.

[Carnage]

Not just you dude! 

[AndyR]

Word

So I've got some work in PNG which is in shifts, 2 rotations of 6 weeks of 77 hr weeks and then 3 weeks off (want to spend the second holiday in Europe).  I thought I'd use the opportunity to visit some of the hotspots in the deeeep south.  Bearing in mind i will be pretty f*cked after 6 weeks of 7 day weeks my two ideas so far are:

- Go to Sydney, chill in the city, do a bit of surfing, pose on some of those slopers at Sissy
- Go to Castle Hill, commune with some sheep, pose on some limestone slopers

I'd like to tap the collective UKB mind for other suggestions and opinions on which of these is bestest?

I went to Castle Hill in May and it was fricking awesome - would highly, highly recommend it.
You working on the gas plant project in PNG then? - they're always trying to rope people into that....make sure you don't get kidnapped.......

[SA Chris]

I thought Christchurch was an OK place to chill? As much to do there as any city of similar size. Head to Castle Hill and if it does snow (May is pretty early for it though) make use of the excellent club ski hills or Mt Hutt. Otherwise chill on the beach and surf, either in Christchurch or up the coast at Kaikoura, with the dolphins and the seals.

[Stubbs]

You working on the gas plant project in PNG then? - they're always trying to rope people into that....make sure you don't get kidnapped.......

yep, it seems most people have heard about the work but i was the only one stupid enough to sign up!

Castle Hill is sounding better and better.

[jed]

Its got to be NZ its AMAZING!!!

Castle Hill, Christchurch and the Elephant boulders all rock.

[slackline]

Whatever you do, don't go over to the west coast (Perth) if you want to climb as its pretty much flat as a pancake (well not strictly true, but you'll spend more time driving between shitty areas than actually climbing).

[cofe]

go chilling and surfing in Sydney for a couple of weeks and go bouldering with carnage. then go to Fiji for a week for more chilling and some snorkelling and scuba diving.

[The Sausage]

Serpentine I've been told is rather overrated and there are many better on that wall.

When I was in Oz there seemed to be a large 'Serpentine' bashing group. Particularly Sydney climbers who'd never been near it (well, maybe walked under it on their way to Spurt Wall). Yes, there are masses of incredible routes on Taipan Wall, but for the sheer audacity of HB choosing that line, the history of the route, and, yes, the climbing, it is THE route to do. I've done a lot of routes around the world, and it sands out as world class. Mate (excuse the australianism), "I've been told" is such a cop out. Get on it. Then decide for yourself.

[Bonjoy]

 I reckon Castle Hill could well be in perfect nick in May. Well worth three weeks of anyones time.
If you do go to Oz and you only have three weeks then go to the Grampians. Taipan is peerlessly amazing and so is Eureka Wall, if you are only bouldering this Mt Stapleton is still the best bouldering spot in Oz. If you do end up ignoring this advice and go to Sydney (don't get me wrong I love Sydney, but if you only have three weeks...), I'd say check out the better venues (Balkans, Crumbly, Villas etc) before going to Sissy, which is photogenic but basically a very good outdoor gym type venue (lot's of eliminates and rules, not many strong lines).