ResolvedElement 0 #1 October 30, 2006 I will be leaving the U.S. in a month to visit at Byron Bay, Australia for six months. I was wondering if anyone had DZ suggestions for the NSW/Queensland border area, as well as the coastal area of NSW as I will be backpacking up that hopefully. Damn, I am excited. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoRules 0 #2 October 30, 2006 Actually Byron Bay has a dz just a few miles from town. There's a shuttle that leaves every few hours, just call the dz. Definitely jump there- it's a GORGEOUS view. And have fun! ~ * Life Has No Rules * ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VTcnix 0 #3 October 30, 2006 Byron Bay has one of the best DZs that I have been to (I would take a 6 hr train ride from queensland to jump there). The jumpers are super friendly and the plane (a Cresco?) is one of my fav. jump planes. Jumps are a bit more expensive (35$AU when I was there) Byron Bay was my fav. place in Australia, you'll have a blast Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #4 October 30, 2006 I believe they're running a Caravan at Byron at the moment. They also have a bunkhouse on the DZ. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #5 October 30, 2006 I don't know much about the QLD DZs, but South of Byron Bay, there's a DZ at Port Macquarie (Cessna?), one at Elderslie (Cessna; in the Hunter Valley, near Newcastle), one at Warnervale (Turbine Beaver/Cessna; just North of Sydney), and one at Picton (XL/Otter/Skyvan/Turbine Beaver; about an hour South of Sydney). The APF website has contact details. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ResolvedElement 0 #6 October 30, 2006 Thanks, guys. Is there anything I should know, being an "A" license holder? Do I have to prove myself somehow to be competent at a DZ? I was thinking about just taking the test for the "B" but it is almost the end of the season here in VT. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #7 October 31, 2006 I'd suggest emailing the APF Office (address on their website) or sending a PM to LukeOliver to ask. I'm not a CI so I don't know what checks they do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #8 October 31, 2006 Oz is full of pooftas mate. Head to new zealand. If you dont know what a poofta is Bob.dino or squek will tell you .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brettski74 0 #9 October 31, 2006 I was over in Australia in June and did a few jumps at Ramblers, near Brisbane. At the time I was on my Canadian Solo Certificate and had only 27 jumps. I turned up with my Solo, log book, and a letter from my DZO back in Canada. They looked over my log book and docs, gave me an APF student licence and were happy for me to jump. I did some reading of the APF regs before I went over. As I understand them, it's up to an APF instructor to clear you for an equivalent level under the APF. It's not specific in the regs about exactly what they must do to clear you, so they may be happy with checking your log book and USPA A licence and give you and APF A, or maybe they'll ask you to do a checkout jump with a coach, first. Your best bet is to check with the DZO where you're planning to jump as to what they will require. You will have to pay an APF membership to jump in Oz. I paid around 30 aussie pesos for a 3 month temporary membership. Check the APF website or the DZ for details about prices for that. As far as dropzones north of the border, there are several around Brisbane that I'm aware of. I've only jumped at Ramblers, which is an awesome DZ, but from Byron, you're looking at maybe 4 hours drive. Byron's a great DZ by all accounts, so why would you bother? FWIW, the places I know of around Brisbane are Ramblers, Ripcord, Caboolture, Redcliffe (looks like a tandem factory) and Brisbane skydive centre. You can find more info about them in the dropzones section. IMHO, unless you have a reason to travel north of the border, I would stick with Byron if that's where you'll be living. It's a gorgeous place and has great DZ by all accounts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #10 October 31, 2006 QuoteOz is full of pooftas mate. Head to new zealand. If you dont know what a poofta is Bob.dino or squek will tell you It's a New Zealander, Pretending to be a cool jetsetting sheep shaggerYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #11 October 31, 2006 Nothing wrong with shagging sheep, at least we dont spend the dya just trying to catch the kangaroo mate. Nothing cool about living in the UK mate .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ResolvedElement 0 #12 November 1, 2006 Thanks dudes. I read the APF website and it looks like I might technically need a checkout dive, which I don't mind as long as it doesn't cost too much. I'll get to meet someone and jump with them! Also, I am planning on stopping by New Zealand so if you all have DZ's to suggest there I would be obliged. I was thinking Aukland. I also want to try that high-speed luge thing I heard about. I've heard that where I am going to is "a little bit of paradise, mate." I'm f$%king stoked. cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoRules 0 #13 November 2, 2006 Oh dude, I didn't read your profile until just now. Hey, it's Maia. Did you ever meet Richard, the Australian instructor at vsa last season? He lives and works in Byron Bay. You should definitely talk to him, he'll be able to hook you up and let the dz know that you do know how to skydive. PM me if you want his info. ~ * Life Has No Rules * ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peckerhead 0 #14 November 3, 2006 I was in NZ and OZ a year ago. I jumped at Aukland, Lake Taupo, and Abel Tasman. Aukland has a Porter and there is fun jumping there. Taupo is a tandem factory but the scenery is nice and they fly Pac 750's. Abel Tasman was my favorite, spectacular scenery and great people. They have a fletcher turbine AKA cresco which is kinda like a smaller version of the Pac. (See pic) In Oz I jumped at Nagambie and Picton (Sydney Skydivers) Nagambie is nice they have a Pac 750, I was only there 1 day. It is about an hour north of Melborne. Sydney is way cool. They have a variety of turbines. When I was there it was a bit slow during the week but lots of loads on the weekend. Great party and barbeque Saturday nights. You have to join the NZPF to jump in New Zealand. In Australia you can get a temp 3 month membership with APF You'll have a great time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasmin 0 #15 November 4, 2006 QuoteIt's a New Zealander, Pretending to be a cool jetsetting sheep shagger No its a sheep-shagger pretending to be a whinging Pom! ROFL Back on topic, byron isn't bad. If you make it to Picton, say hi.xj "I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with the earth...but then I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with a car either, and that's having tried both." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #16 November 5, 2006 Dingo! got your baby! .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #17 November 5, 2006 Quote Back on topic, byron isn't bad. If you make it to Picton, say hi. You gunna be around at Xmas and say hi this yerar Jas?? I'm thinking of flying over again You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasmin 0 #18 November 6, 2006 Yep, got a few days off from the 'atom mill'. eg Boxing day Be cool to catch up...xj "I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with the earth...but then I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with a car either, and that's having tried both." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasmin 0 #19 November 6, 2006 QuoteDingo! got your baby! Good riddance! edited to add:I'm anti-procreation...but I'm all for the practicing bit! LOLxj "I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with the earth...but then I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with a car either, and that's having tried both." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #20 November 6, 2006 QuoteQuoteDingo! got your baby! Good riddance! edited to add:I'm anti-procreation...but I'm all for the practicing bit! LOLWho ya practicing with at Xams You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasmin 0 #21 November 7, 2006 No one! Didn't you hear, I'm a single girl these days??! edited to add:Still friends with the lanky one....which is just as well, considering he has both my rig and my cypress at the moment! LOL Despite Rod's e-mails, Emoo doubts he'll be turning up to the xmas boogie.xj "I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with the earth...but then I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with a car either, and that's having tried both." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #22 November 7, 2006 QuoteNo one! Didn't you hear, I'm a single girl these days??! Excelant I'm bringing a big tent and an Air matress I'll PM you closer but I'll need you to help me organise a lift from the airport if you can.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasmin 0 #23 November 7, 2006 If I'm not working, I'll be happy to help out!xj "I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with the earth...but then I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with a car either, and that's having tried both." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
