Zemsi Down Under
 

Hi Guys

I will travell for 6 months in Down Under and NZ. From July to September around Australia and from Oct. to Dec. in New Zealand.

I've noticed that some guys on the board are from this area. Do you have any recommendations for museums (military or airplane), events, vehicle meetings etc?

I know that there's a big tank museum around Melbourne. Is this worth visit? Is it still open?

I would be very happy to hear your recommendations.

Thanx a lot from Switzerland
Chris


http://events.zimmerliweb.ch/images/...sandtracks.gif

Melbourne Tank Museum
 

Hi Chris

Yes there are some excellent things to see here... as for airshows, the Temora Aviation Museum is not to be missed, and most months they hold an airshow where you can see a Spitfire and many other warbirds in the air. Have a look at their website.

As for seeing military vehicles just get in touch via PM.

I have a couple of pages on the Melbourne Tank Museum.

downunder trip
 

Gidday Chris, unfortunately as far as airshows go here in NZ, not alot happening while your here, although there are some very good museums here in both the north and south islands. In the North Island theres, Motat museum Auckland, a good aviation section as well as vehicles, Tauwhare military museum near Hamilton, Waiouru Army museum, Te Papa in Wellington, On Nov 14th a small town called Cambridge in the Waikato district commemorates Armitice Day ww1, A big mv parade through town, last year the ww2 re-enactment boys had a running street battle through the town, tracked vehicles included. As far as the South island goes, Wigram air base museums a good look, and defffinately check out Tim Wallaces hangers in Wanaka, theres bound to be heaps more down south, so hopefully a mainlander will help you out in regards to that area, PM me and I,ll do my best to sought you out with some stuff here in the Auckland area, oh and by the way you,ll need a rain coat !!! cheers David...

Any time of year, in any sort of weather, don't miss the Australian War Memorial (aka Museum) in Canberra. To you and me (and most others on this site), it is truly a world class collection and heritage display, but even the general public rates it regularly as one of the top 5 tourist attractions in Australia. It is open 10am to 5pm 362 days a year, and entry is free. You will find that 7 hours is not enough time to see this place, so plan your trip to allow a couple of repeat visits here. Even better, drop in over the weekend of 13-14 August for the VJ Day commemorations (the real end of WW2!) for many live displays, flypasts and even the chance to meet some of us.
Some time ago, we discussed some of the museums to be found around the country.

Australia Visit
 

Hi Chris
When you know your movements in Oz, PM me with your itinerary regarding Adelaide and I'll give you my contact details. I can show you our National Military Vehicle Museum and tour you around some of our Adelaide Club member's collections. In late August there is a major truck run to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Transport Hall of Fame in Alice Springs. Hundreds of trucks are expected to parade in Alice. Some of our members will be travelling to Perth and then across the desert to Alice. Others will be doing the drive from Adelaide to Alice. Apart from that we have great wineries, bakeries and plenty of touristy stuff.

PS to Keefy - here's potentially another DVD for you to produce. Should be a big occasion.

Bob

Australia visit
 

As Bob said let us know your itinary, as we live not that far from Canberra and the War Memorial, you are welcome to call in and we could show our collection of bits and pieces, just ask Keefy. You could also see what an australian farm is all about. We will also be going to Canberra in August with some of our vehicles.

Max

G'Day mates

I'm really overwhelmed with all your offers! Haven't thought that my post would receive so much offers and answers! That's really brilliant. :)

I think I'll have to plan my travel according to all these events and offerings. I've got only booked the flights, to all other stuff I'm open:

July 16: Arriving in Sydney and travelling straight away to Melbourne

Oct. 05: Flying from Sydney to Auckland

Dec. 26: Flying back from Auckland to Sydney.

Jan. 04: Heading back from Sydney to Switzerland

I will send you all a PM.

I was already travelling around Aussie in 2002 so I know the places and cities a little bit. But I have to say that I missed all the military museums etc :(

Thanx for all!!
Chris

PS Is there anything I can bring you over from Switzerland or Europe? Books, DVDs, Swiss cheese or chocolate etc? I would bring you a Swiss Universal Carrier but luggage is limited to 30 kg ;)

http://events.zimmerliweb.ch/thun_04...%20Carrier.jpg

Re. Oz Trip
 

Hi Chris
Firstly I like the G'Day Mates, you'll fit right in. Received your PM and will obtain details as stated. Love the picture of the Carrier and I see the tracks are on the right way. Don't forget to bring a spare bag for all the Vegemite you will be taking back.
Bob

Oz Trip
 

And a shipping container for all the surplus blitzes around Adelaide. ;)

Good day

I'm leaving Switzerland for Aussie on July 13. I'll visit before the Flying Legends Airshow in Duxford UK. Hope to meet some of you guys soon in Down Under. Will start in Melbourne.

Have a good time

cu
Chris

Chris's Aussie Trip
 

To Keefy, Max and anyone who will have contact with Chris when he arrives. There could be an available seat for Chris for the trek to the Transport Hall of Fame, but we need to get organised asap. If he can contact me as soon as someone finds him.
Bob

Chris
 

He's contacting me this Sunday so I'll mention it to him.

Keith

thanx keith for all
 

Good day mates

i've received a very warm welcome from keith in melbourne. he took 2 days off and showed me john belfield's tank museum in Narre Warren and Puckapunyal. wow, what 2 brilliant tours and fantastic rare vehicles to see. I had even a short ride in his ford v8 gun tractor, awesome sound.

thanx for all keith! cu soon in canberra.

http://oldcmp.net/images/museums/puc...l/chris_3k.jpg

so, if everything goes well, i'll get a ride with euan in his chevy gun tractor from melbourne to adelaide and will meet there salesman bob.

well guys, i really appreciate all the outstanding things you do to me! even in my best dreams i never thought this could happen.

Re: thanx keith for all
 

No worries, Chris we're just MLU extended family after all...:cheers:

Others have done the same for me too. It's just the way things work, or at least SHOULD work in the world.

Chris
 

Hi Chris, Good to hear your having such a great time in the land of OZ, Hope your cameras working over time, don't forget to give us a call when you arrive in NZ. cheers David...

Re: Chris
 

... sure David. I've got your number and will give you a call. Will arrive in NZ at Oct. 5. Still burnt the first 300 pics onto a CD. So the memory card has some new space for taking pics.

Greetings from Melbourne
Chris

Arrived in Adelaide
 

Morning mates

I arrived Sunday evening in Adelaide. Monday morning I met Salesman Bob. He showed me around some places and we finally went to the Vehicle Museum here in Ade. They have a great selection of soft skin vehicles and some armored ones.

Well, and no another highlight. Bob took me out on a Chev C15a for about 1 hour drive. I could even drive for about 10 min. Wow, it was absolutely brilliant. Never drove before a CMP! Changing the gears wasn't so easy, but after all, the beauty is over sixty years old. Perhabs she wanted to get a little bit touched by a young chap at his birthday.

At the evening we finally met again Euan & familiy from Melbourne. They just arrived in their Gun Tractor, took them 4 days from Melb to Ade, with stopping 2 days in the Grampians.

So, heading back to Melb by plane, on Thursday will do a 4 day tour to Canberra and should arrive there Sunday evening.

cu
Chris

Chris In Adelaide
 

Caught up with Chris yesterday morning and you have already read his news. Here are a few photos.
This one is by the statue of one of Adelaide's founding fathers, Colonel William Light who with his team laid out the plans for the City of Adelaide from this vantage point.

Chris In Adelaide
 

The rest of yesterday was spent at the Museum. Chris has all those photos. Caught up with Euan and family in the evening. All three girls were crook but Euan was well enough to come to the pub for dinner.

Then this morning, picked up Chris and fed him a good Aussie breakfast.

Re: Chris In Adelaide
 

Bob are you sure this isn't a Swiss spy? I'm sure I've seen him taking pictures around various army trucks - watch out for your valuable spares - I hear his grand dad had a SCRAP yard...;)

Have you thoroughly searched Euan and his trailer?

Chris In Adelaide
 

After that went for a tour around the Adelaide Central Market where he found Vegemite Heaven

Chris In Adelaide
 

And then proved to him that we do eat one of our national icons.

Chris In Adelaide
 

Then visited a couple of military vehicle mates. Didn't bother taking any more boring vehicle photos, I'll let Chris post those.

A thought Moderator Keefy. I suggested to Chris that this thread be re-named to reflect Chris's trip in Oz, eg Zemsi's Great Aussie Field Trip or Zemsi Down Under or something like that and then post it in the Sergeants Mess.

Over to you.

Bob

PS. Have received those brilliant Year of the Carrier DVDs. Cheque is in the mail. Kate did a very swift excellent job.

Re: Chris In Adelaide
 

You can lead a Swiss man to Kangaroo, but can you make him eat?

Spies And Ratters
 

Hi Keefy
Chris hasn't tried Roo or Vegemite yet and for a continental he has a plain palate. Doesn't like cheese, snags or mushrooms. Wait till he has Max's maple syrup over his bacon and eggs.

As for Euan, before I even said G'day I was into his trailer making sure nothing had been nicked en-route.

Anyway they are both off in the morning, Euan north and Chris back to Melbourne where he is taking a four day tour to Canberra via the snowfields and Mount K (however you spell it).

Bob

Re: Chris In Adelaide
 

Good idea - done. Looking forward to the rest of Zemsi's Field Trip.

H.

Dynamic Duo
 

One more holiday snap. Chris and yours truly posing by a mates twin cab Unimog.
Bob

Super salesman
 

Bob, had you just sold it to Chris?

Chris is coming to Yass
 

Chris is very lucky, we will be shearing next week, and he is arriving in Canberra on Sunday, Just in time as we will need extra help on the farm.

Thats good timing, we could not have planded it better.:D

Re: Chris is coming to Yass
 

By the look of Salesman Bob's jacket in the Unimog pic, he could do with some shearing himself! And then there's Keefy's beard!