Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

TIPS ON DINING 79
hotel can then guarantee occupancy in a number of rooms. Likewise,
if you’re planning a long stay (at least 5 days), you might qualify for
a discount. As a general rule, expect 1 night free after a 7-night stay.
• Avoid excess charges and hidden costs. When you book a room, ask
whether the hotel charges for parking. Use your own cellphone, pay
phones, or prepaid phone cards instead of dialing direct from hotel
phones, which usually have exorbitant rates. And don’t be tempted
by the room’s minibar offerings: Most hotels charge through the
nose for water, soda, and snacks. Finally, ask about local taxes and
service charges, which can increase the cost of a room by 15% or
more. If a hotel insists upon tacking on a surprise “energy surcharge”
that wasn’t mentioned at check-in or a “resort fee” for amenities you
didn’t use, you can often make a case for getting it removed.
• Consider the pros and cons of all-inclusive resorts and hotels. The term
“all-inclusive” means different things at different hotels. Many all-inclusive
hotels will include 3 meals daily, sports equipment, spa entry, and
other amenities; others may include all or most drinks. In general, you’ll
save money going the “all-inclusive” way—as long as you use the facilities
provided. The down side is that your choices are limited, and you’re
stuck eating and playing in one place for the duration of your vacation.
• Book an efficiency. A room with a kitchenette allows you to shop for
groceries and cook your own meals. This is a big money saver, especially
for families on long stays.
Australian wines are generally
named after the grape varieties from
which they are made. Of the white
wines, both the fruity chardonnay and
Riesling varieties; the “herbaceous,” or
“grassy” sauvignon blanc; and the dry
semillon are favorites. Of the reds, the
dry cabernet sauvignon, the merlot,
the burgundy-type pinot noir, and the
big and bold shiraz come out tops.
If your style runs more to the “amber
nectar”—and there’s nothing better
than a cold beer on a hot day—you’ll
need to get the lingo right. A can of beer
is a “tinnie,” a small bottle is a “stubby,”
and a tall or large bottle is a “tallie.” In
the hotter climes, you may be offered a
polystyrene container in which to place
your beer to keep it cool.
In New South Wales, beer is served
by the glass in a “schooner” and a
smaller “midi”—though in a few places
it’s also sold in British measurements,
by pints and half pints. In Victoria you
should ask for a “pot,” or the less copious
“glass.” In South Australia a
“schooner” is the size of a NSW “midi,”
and in Western Australia a “midi” is the
same size as a New South Wales midi,
but a glass about half its size is called a
“pony.” Confused? Just use your hands
like a local to show whether you want a
small glass or a larger one. Your accent
will alert bartenders they are dealing
with the uninitiated.
Australian beers vary considerably
in quality, and there’s no accounting
for tastes. Among the most popular
are Victoria Bitter (known as “VB”),
XXXX (pronounced “four ex”), Fosters,
and various brews produced by
the Tooheys company. All are popular