Tips and hints travelling to Australasia to watch Rugby League

[THE RED ROOSTER]

Graham you might want to make this a sticky given that England will be touring next year and in 2026 when the next world cup will be held.

Others especially all those that live down there feel free to add to the thread.

Opal cards (NSW) v Translink Cards (Queensland)

An Opal card once registered will allow you to retain your balance for your next trip so say you left Sydney with a balance of 34 Aud in 2025 on arrival at Sydney in 2026 this would still be on your card.

The card in Queensland by contrast marks itself as defunct after 12 months non use. But there is a catch if you present your old card at the airport on arrival then it will be loaded onto and it will work, on the first day.

The second day it will not. Now you can get a refund but that is only to an Australian Bank account in Australian Dollars 

So the moral is get a new card each time you visit Queensland.

Getting away from Townsville

Withiut being too disrespectful, theres not a lot to do in Townsville, so if your up for the rugby then you would probably stay the two days.

The problem is leaving and Taxi services even pre-booked at a flate rate of 26 aud are notoriously unreliable as I cam attest from a previous visit on 2004 when my cab failed to turn up and I made my flight by the skin of my teeth.

There is a more reliable Airport Shuttle run by a South African Couple for only 10 and one way which is not only cheap but also reliable.

Ticketek

These days you have to book your tickets in advance for some of the more "boutique" Australian grouns but when it comes to downloading to your Goohle Wallet your ticket.may have the right details but it will not scan.

One example, being Canterbury Bulldogs v Gold Coast Titans where my ticket details were correct but the date given was 31st December 2024.

I ligned up at tre back of the queue and duly prsented my ticket for scanning to the woman at the entrance. It did not scan 

So I was despatched to the ticket office presented my mobile. They saw it was a legitimate purchase, photographed the  ticket on my mobile and issued me a new ticket.

So I went back to the entrance with my new paper ticket and it did not scan, so zi had four of them round me the chief saying "it's already scanned" I explained to them what had happened without descending into Latrell post match interview mode, and they eventually relented and let me in.

Going to West Tigrrs later, I made a beeline for the ticket office and had a stress free entry to leichardt oval.

The advice here is go to the ticket office FIRST on the day. Unlike the old days there are no ticketek offices in town you cannot sort this pre game day.

Specialist Shops selling Rugby League items

The best of these is still Peter Wynn's score situated over by Landmark Corner on Paramatta having moved from Church Street. Though it would appear that this shop is to move judging by the sign outside.

Then you have Mick Simmonds Sports which is located opposite the Queen Victoria Building (QVB). This is a general sports store which has a lot of NRL items such as the histotical Club badges sets.

You also have What's Your Team on the redcliffe peninsular boulevard not fir from the Bee Gees monument which id an NRL only store.

Post pandemic none of these stores,. and there used to be more, are what they were due to a combination of online ordering and larger retail chains such as rebel sport.

 

[Anita Bath]

plenty to do in and around townsville. get the sealink ferry over to magnetic island…a short ferry ride with bus connection on the island. Plenty of accommodation on the island.

Some good museums as well as a terrific coastal walk.

Cowboys leagues club is in the centre of the city ( short walk from stadium)…especially recommend sunday…cheap steak night.

Bali it is not so if you are looking for beach parties i suggest you go to Bondi.

Ive never had a problem booking a ride to the airport, but I dont leave it until the last minute.

 

As for redcliffe…around the corner from bee gees monument is the award winning Yabby Road fish and chip shop themed on the beatles.  Best F and C in the city. Also the memorial to Cooks landing by the pier. Captain Cook didnt bother with Victoria, stopped off at Botany Bay NSW and soon realised it wasnt worth stopping then headed straight for Queensland!!! Take the coastal path north from the pier for a 30 minute easy walk to find out how the city got its name. That will lead you to Scarborough beach.

A good leagues club at Dolphin oval which is a twenty minute walk from Redcliffe pier.

For most tickets I buy from ticketek i receive them by text and click on link to get them in my phone. However any time I have had a problem i just go to ticketek window with my details and they print a hard copy ticket off for me.

For Go card in Queensland buy using any credit card and your refund at end of time in queensland is credited to the same credit card. My son from Canada did this recently.

Another tip for public transport in SE QLD. Once you have done eight trips in a week (week starts on Monday) rest of your trips for that week are half price. For most sporting events public transport is free on game day by showing  your ticket. NSW has similar offers. And off peak travel is dirt cheap. Using the opal card you can travel all the way from central sydney to the blue mountains (2 hour train ride) for about $3. So save your long distance touring for the weekend.

The Airtrain from Bris airport (BNE) to the city and beyond is expensive $25 each way. However if you book a return train fare on the Airtrain web site you get a return trip for the price of a single.  A taxi from BNE to city is about $60 by comparison so unless you are travelling alone a taxi is cheaper.

Dont expect to be treated nicely by the airlines….there is an astounding lack of regulation on the airline industry and much soft corruption with the politicians so passengers are treated like doggy doo. Given what you might be used to from EU days you will be shocked. All airlines treat passengers poorly. Jetstar is an absolute must to avoid. Its Ryanair x 4. I always fly qantas or virgin australia simply because they are more likely to fly you the same day if your flight is cancelled. But dont expect them to offer you the best alternative…they look first to put you on their difficult to fill flights that might be flying via Kungiboo or itchyscratchy.

And remember…its a long bus ride between international and domestic terminals in Sydney. Unless you are transferring qantas to qantas, where you can use the qantas free shuttle, you have to get a terminal to terminal bus which is not free.

 

Happy to try to respond to any questions.

 

[R L Winger]

Does anyone know if there are any planed games in Gosford NSW on this tour?

[Copa]

On 29/03/2024 at 09:28, THE RED ROOSTER said:

Graham you might want to make this a sticky given that England will be touring next year and in 2026 when the next world cup will be held.

Others especially all those that live down there feel free to add to the thread.

Opal cards (NSW) v Translink Cards (Queensland)

An Opal card once registered will allow you to retain your balance for your next trip so say you left Sydney with a balance of 34 Aud in 2025 on arrival at Sydney in 2026 this would still be on your card.

The card in Queensland by contrast marks itself as defunct after 12 months non use. But there is a catch if you present your old card at the airport on arrival then it will be loaded onto and it will work, on the first day.

The second day it will not. Now you can get a refund but that is only to an Australian Bank account in Australian Dollars 

So the moral is get a new card each time you visit Queensland.

Getting away from Townsville

Withiut being too disrespectful, theres not a lot to do in Townsville, so if your up for the rugby then you would probably stay the two days.

The problem is leaving and Taxi services even pre-booked at a flate rate of 26 aud are notoriously unreliable as I cam attest from a previous visit on 2004 when my cab failed to turn up and I made my flight by the skin of my teeth.

There is a more reliable Airport Shuttle run by a South African Couple for only 10 and one way which is not only cheap but also reliable.

Ticketek

These days you have to book your tickets in advance for some of the more "boutique" Australian grouns but when it comes to downloading to your Goohle Wallet your ticket.may have the right details but it will not scan.

One example, being Canterbury Bulldogs v Gold Coast Titans where my ticket details were correct but the date given was 31st December 2024.

I ligned up at tre back of the queue and duly prsented my ticket for scanning to the woman at the entrance. It did not scan 

So I was despatched to the ticket office presented my mobile. They saw it was a legitimate purchase, photographed the  ticket on my mobile and issued me a new ticket.

So I went back to the entrance with my new paper ticket and it did not scan, so zi had four of them round me the chief saying "it's already scanned" I explained to them what had happened without descending into Latrell post match interview mode, and they eventually relented and let me in.

Going to West Tigrrs later, I made a beeline for the ticket office and had a stress free entry to leichardt oval.

The advice here is go to the ticket office FIRST on the day. Unlike the old days there are no ticketek offices in town you cannot sort this pre game day.

Specialist Shops selling Rugby League items

The best of these is still Peter Wynn's score situated over by Landmark Corner on Paramatta having moved from Church Street. Though it would appear that this shop is to move judging by the sign outside.

Then you have Mick Simmonds Sports which is located opposite the Queen Victoria Building (QVB). This is a general sports store which has a lot of NRL items such as the histotical Club badges sets.

You also have What's Your Team on the redcliffe peninsular boulevard not fir from the Bee Gees monument which id an NRL only store.

Post pandemic none of these stores,. and there used to be more, are what they were due to a combination of online ordering and larger retail chains such as rebel sport.

 

I’ve never used an Opal Card on Sydney public transport. I simply tap on and tap off with my credit card. It works really well.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

14 minutes ago, Copa said:

I’ve never used an Opal Card on Sydney public transport. I simply tap on and tap off with my credit card. It works really well.

This thread is for tourists rather than locals. Using a debit card would depend on two things:

1. The Exchange rate which can fluctuate even during a short stay.

2. If your debit card provider charges a foreign tranasaction fee. Mine does not (HSBC) but many other bank and credit cards do charge up to 3% per transaction which if your using your card a lot mounts up over time.

[Anita Bath]

I think the Opal Card offers additional discounts to using credit card, but not 100% sure. You might need to check the transport NSW web site.

 

You can get an opal card sent to you in the mail before arriving in NSW. Its the same for Queensland and Victoria. Also there are seniors travel cards (65 or over) in each state.

[Copa]

11 hours ago, THE RED ROOSTER said:

This thread is for tourists rather than locals. Using a debit card would depend on two things:

1. The Exchange rate which can fluctuate even during a short stay.

2. If your debit card provider charges a foreign tranasaction fee. Mine does not (HSBC) but many other bank and credit cards do charge up to 3% per transaction which if your using your card a lot mounts up over time.

I use credit cards although it does accept some debit cards.

Credit cards and debit cards get the exact same benefits that opal card users get. The Transport NSW website has additional information. https://transportnsw.info/

This includes caps on daily fares: 

Monday to Thursday (excluding public holidays)

Travel all day and pay no more than:

Adult: $17.80

Child/Youth and Concession: $8.90

Gold Senior/Pensioner: $2.50

Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays

Travel all day and pay no more than:

Adult: $8.90

Child/Youth and Concession: $4.45

Gold Senior/Pensioner: $2.50

Edited April 15, 2024 by Copa

[Anita Bath]

Thats true for non concessionary fares but for the generous discounts for kids and seniors you need the opal card. Using credit card will mean paying full fare.

[Somersetter]

Morning/evening all,
I'm in England, and thinking about a trip to Australia next year. Would love to take in a few games while I'm there.
From watching NRL on TV, I notice many of the grounds do not sell out. Can people just turn up on the day to buy their ticket?
If not, how is it done? I notice on some of the club websites, you can't even buy tickets from them!
Thanks in advance for any info,
Rob

[Anita Bath]

For NRL games at Suncorp and CBUS the ticket offices are open on match day for ticket sales. It might be credit card only, certainly is inside the stadium for food drink etc. But I havent used cash since the start of the pandemic. 

[Copa]

On 10/06/2024 at 20:49, Somersetter said:

Morning/evening all,
I'm in England, and thinking about a trip to Australia next year. Would love to take in a few games while I'm there.
From watching NRL on TV, I notice many of the grounds do not sell out. Can people just turn up on the day to buy their ticket?
If not, how is it done? I notice on some of the club websites, you can't even buy tickets from them!
Thanks in advance for any info,
Rob

Look at the draw on the nrl site. It has a “get tickets” link for every game.

You can also buy tickets at the stadium on match day.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

 

If going to Sydney next year during the NRL season. You might wish to take notre of a two game "Build your own Membership" package offer from the Paramatta Eels. For General Admission this would cost $ 87 AUD (£ 44.62 at todays rate) and you would get additional Parra Goodies as a member.

Quote

The BYO 1-10 game packages have been consolidated into 2, 4 and 6 game packages for each seating category. This newly streamlined package, now called Flexi package, aims to make it easier for members to choose the right plan for their needs

The only club that has overseas membership amongst the NRL Clubs is the Sydney Roosters at $ 9 per month (£ 4.62 at todays ratye - You can even get Rover a Pet Membership at $ 6 per month.

Sydney Roosters 2025 membership packages

And before you ask no I am not a member.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

St George-Ilawarra also do a three game flexi package if your out there long enough and a Pet membership

https://www.campaignware.com/dragons/chooseyourmembership25

One point is with the smaller grounds (Shark Park, Brookvale Oval, Belmore, Leichardt Oval) my advice is to get your tickets in advance. They do sell out. Manly selling out 10 of 12 home games and seats at Sharkies are always at a premium due to the low ground capacity.

Allianz and Accor stadiums never sell out, but Comm Bank stadium in Paramatta can sell out especially if its a clash of the western clubs - Paramatta v West Tigers or Penrith or vice versa next year as both of Parra's rivals are playing some of their games out of Comm Bank.

Most clubs use Ticketek. But Manly, North Queensland and St George-Illawarra (Woolongong only) use Tiocktmaster Au or did this season..

 

[Anita Bath]

 2025 NRL draw announced for-those thinking of a trip down under.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

In addition to the Rooster,s both Paramatta Eels and Cronulla Sharks have International Membership as an option

https://shop.parraeels.com.au/collections/2025-membership

https://www.sharks.com.au/membership/packages/

Melbourne do not offer this though .. sorry Graham..

[Anita Bath]

QRL draw out for 2025 for anyone thinking of a trip down under.

Wynnum Manly’s annual home game on Straddy ( North Stradbrook Island) is Saturday May 31 v Capras. Ferry ride, whale watching, wild koalas, island brewery and a game of footy. Should be on any laeguies list.

[Anita Bath]

Tickets on sale for all three Origin games if anybody on here thinking of a trip down under.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

One of the big issues for the NRL since the start of the century has been largely stadiums v suburban ground so my advice if you want to guarantee getting a ticket to Manly who have had 13 straight sellouts or Cronulla where getting a ticket for Sharkies resembles getting a ticket to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory  My advice is to buy when they come up for sale before you go to Australia. 

Of course other grounds like Kogarah yesterday do sell out occasionally as well and it often depends on who the opposition is.

Now getting a ticket from Ticketmaster is great (Manly, Melbourne, Newcastle SGi - Woolloongong pnly, and North Quuennsland Cowboys) and saves easily to Google wallet.

Ticketek who deals with everyone else is a nightmare by contrast with tickets not automatically going to Google wallet so my tip is to retain the original e-mail and use that ticket for entry if you have a problem. Of course, Ticketek does allow print at home which is great if you live in Australia but not so if overseas and would have left before the tickets come out.

The move to electronic tickets is still not going well as evidenced yesterday with fans struggling to get admission to the SGI v Bulldogs game.

When it comes to the David Middleton Rugby League Annual.  The only place you can get a physical copy of the without a subscription is at Peter Wynn's Score in Paramatta which is and remains a rugby league mecca to which all fans should make tha haji to when in Sydney.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[THE RED ROOSTER]

Just to underline the point about getting a ticket for one of the suburban grounds . Shark Park has a capacity this season of 15,000 and Cronulla Sharks have just announced a membership total of 16,563 so far for this season, in excess of ground capacity, so public tickets at a premium for Sharkies... Good luck...

[barney]

Hi all

I'm traveling to Australia in May, spending 6 days in Melbourne  then onto Sydney,  any recommendations for things to see whilst there would be a great help.

I have Storm tickets for Tigers game already but wife wants to see more.

Thanks Barney

[Anita Bath]

Great Ocean Road…scenery to die for. Philip Island if you are in to penguins.

Melbourne Gaol for history and Ned Kelly.

Sydney…get the Manly ferry…get the bus from ferry terminal to north heads …get off bus at the quarantine station on way back.

..get the Watsons bay ferry…….take the walk to South heads….be prepared for some unsightly views of naked bathers at the nudist beach on the way.Aussies are not always what you think they are unclothed! Have fish and chips back at Watsons Bay ferry terminal.

Go to an Opera at the SOH.

Take the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee.

Take the Train to Blue Mountains.

[barney]

Thanks Anita