Salut guys (et les filles aussi),
Cette fois, c'est moi qui a besoin de votre aide.

I'd be very grateful to any members who could help me out here with my tourism market research questionnaire, either in answering all the questions (in which case you might like to send them to me as an MP) or in even just a few on this forum.

Survey aim: to determine what kind of tourism/travelling experience FDU members would like in a state like Victoria (ie in a state with little desert and no reef as such)

C'est tres facile de savoir que les gens francais/es aiment souvent la cote, surf, les plages, Sydney et quelquefois the Outback et le centre rouge, mais a part de ca/beyond that...?

I'm also trying to learn of other strongly preferred locations in Victoria and the rest of Australia for European internationals/French (this info could also assist me with the voluntary work I do at Visitor Information Centres in my region).
Also, what type of accommodation do they use when travelling and is this is the kind of accommodation they prefer, et si 'non', pourquoi pas? and what influences this? (Budget? La famille? Method of transport used while travelling?)

Questions:
Part 1: Touring & Attractions.

1a: If travelling to Australia (or already here and planning a trip to Victoria, par exemple)
would you consider a visit dans l'interieur as part of votre vacance, including les cites moins grand que Melbourne + des villes et la campagne?
Si oui, ou, et pourquoi? (and then go on to Q2)

1b: Si la reponse a 1a. est 'non', is finding the way there an issue? Ou peut etre on ne sais pas quoi faire/voir if you were to go there?
1c: Si cette information etait donne a vous dans un facon simple a trouve/lire - guides touristiques, sites web, est ce que la reponse a 1a a change?

Part 2: Le logement

(2a) Lorsque vous voyagez a un pays 'developpe' (1st world country) loin de la france, comme L'australie, par example, quel niveau de confort dans votre logement est ce que vous desirez ou preferez? Budget, herberge de jeunesse (dormitory), pub, simple comfort hotel (3-3 ½ star), 4-5 star hotel ou le logement dans un chambre d'hote?

(2b) Pourquoi est ce vous preferez/choisissez cette genre de logment?
Est ce que c'est assez different de la genre de logement que vous utilisez/preferez lorsque vous voyagez autour votre pays pendant un vacance de plus des quelques jours? (j'essaie a dire 'during a longer holiday than just a few days')

(2c) Est ce que le genre de logement que vous utilisez loin de chez vous le style que vous preferez? Ou est ce que c'est que vos choix sont controlle par votre prevoir des depenses/budgetisment?

(2d) Qu'est ce que c'est le budget approximativement par nuit pour vous pour le logement (en Australie ou en France ou le deux - en Euros or $A)

(2e) Quelles sont les caracteristiques supplementaires ou facilities que vous cherchez dans votre logement d'etre 'value pour l'argent'?

(2f) Est ce que vos reponses sont d'un situation de.... (from the perspective of...)
* une famille en voyage
* un couple, ou
* voyageur/euse seul/1 personne?

(2g) Votre groupe d'age? (tres approximativement)

Merci beaucoup si vous avez pris le temps de repondre a quelques de mes questions.
Je vais vous laissez avec un 'overview' bref de mon Chambre d'hote (which will be a hobby rather than any commercial business).

Nom: Maison La Gerche B & B (version Francais 'Maison La Gerche chambre d'hote')
Lieu/Ville: Creswick, Victoria (15 kms de Ballarat, 100 kms de Melbourne)
C'est dans mon jardin - semi self-contained avec un petit cuisine.
Operation objective: to be a mixture of style between a 'Herberge de jeunesse' and budget priced chambre d'hote, with mostly international guests from France, Switzerland, Asia and wherever else.
Particular specialty idea: English tutoring on site (ESL trained) or else guests staying for par exemple 1- 2 semaines can go to English classes/courses in Ballarat while sightseeing in between studying.

One final question: after reading the overview just given, do you think French or international people might find that this is a good idea? ie the English Tutoring combined with tourism & accommodation in an Aussie environment rather than staying with other internationals at Backpackers?

Kate

PS I'll soon have quite a large French/English website and photo gallery & tourism info of the whole region all included in one, which I can give you a sneak preview of once it's close to finished.

PPS. I would of course give generous FDU discount at my chambre d'hote to all those who've replied, if you're ever down my way après le noel, which is when it should be opening.

Bonjour Kate,

Apres autant d'infos de ta part dans divers posts, il est tout a fait normal de prendre un eptit moment pour repondre a ton sondage et a tes questions. j'espere que nous serons nombreux a "te renvoyer l'ascenseur"!!!
Je ne sais pas si mon profil correspond a une majorite de touristes et si mon experience en Oz est significative, ,neanmoins, voici mes exériences apres trois sejours en Oz qui ont dure entre 3 semaines et un mois environ a chaque fois.

Nous n'avons pas visite Victoria, seulement le NSW, le Queensland : la barriere de corail ( Passage a hamilton & sejour a daydream), et enfin une visite a Ayers rock.

En fin de compte c'est surtout dans le NSW que nous nous balladons, Blue Montains et surtout l'annee derniere une superbe ballade au depart de sydney vers Dubo et Lightningridge, visite des mines d'opale, et surtout 2 jours dans une ferme completemnt perdue au milieu de nulle part, avec des iguanes, des kangourous, des moutons et des chevres sauvages... On a du faire une cinquantaine de photos sur les animaux.
Bien sur nous aimons aussi rester a Sydney, pour du shopping et visiter la ville, ses musées (musée naval tres bien, Aquarium aussi !!!).

Comme tout le monde on a visite l'opera, escalade le pont, pris le monorail, nous sommes montes a la tour , fait du shopping etc...

Pour les moyens de transport, il y de tout, en fonction de la situation, pour les destinations lointaines Ayers rock, et Great Barrier reaf c'est l'avion.
Pour la ballade plus proche c'est la voiture de location (pas trop chere chez Thrifty) ou une voiture pretee (famille)

Pour le logement, c'est aussi assez variable, A sydney nous residons en famille, pendant les ballades nous utilisons les hotels/motels pas tres chers, mais lors de nos periples touristiques nous prenons des forfaits en resort (Ayers Rock et Daydream Island) Les prix sont donc tres differents en fonction de la formule choisie.

Voila c'est tout ce que je trouve a dire, si tu veux quelques infos complementaires n'hesites pas !!!

Bonjour Kate !

Voici quelques réponses à tes question :

1a- Je ne connais pas l'Etat du Victoria, mais, oui, si je devais aller en vacances en Victoria, j'aimerai visiter l'intérieur du pays. Notamment pour y goûter les produits du terroir "Victorien" et visiter les vignobles (y a il des vignobles près de chez toi ?).

2a et 2b- Si je voyage pour une semaine ou plus sur une même région, je choisi (si possible) un Holiday Rental. Je trouve cela à la fois pratique et économique. Sinon, si le voyage ne dure que quelques jours ou pour les affaires, je choisis un hôtel niveau 3 étoiles. Il m'arrive en France de choisir la chambre d'hôte en hors saison, même en déplacement professionnel.

2c- J'essaie de concilier mes préférences et mon budget. De trouver le meilleur rapport qualité prix.

2d- Budget : entre 80 et 100 € / jour.

2e- Ce qui m'interresse dans le "Holiday Rental" c'est la possibilité de cuisiner.

2f- Voyage en famille ou seul, l'approche est la même.

2e- 40 ans.

Bon courage dans ton projet !!!

Je serai dans la région de Melbourne en Juin 2005, quelques jours, pour un salon, peut on déjà réserver ?

Sisko.

Little background: travelled once for three months in OZ in 2000 and another time last year for two weeks...

1a: I would go "dans l'intérieur" if I have time only, I mean it would not be my priority. Where, i do not know, would depend in what the tourist office or guide book says. If you have more time, it is different and you can kind of "get lost" and just go wherever you feel. I went to OZ for only two weeks last year so I had to kind of hurry but found some time to spend in small places near Adelaide. Why, because it is good to get out of the beaten track if possible and see something different than the usual.

(2a) Comme le billet d'avion coûte déjà cher, je pense que j'essaierais de limiter les frais sur place et être dans une auberge de jeunesse ou un "hostel" est très bien aussi pour rencontrer des gens... Y'avait un hostel à Adelaide où je suis restée: y'avait help yourself petit déjeuner succulent dans un jardin au soleil c'était génial, un petit plus agréable qui font qu'on recommande l'endroit.

(2b) Moins cher, plus convivial, bonne ambiance. C'est le type de logement que je prends de préférence où que j'aille quelle que soit la longueur des vacances

(2c) Le budget est en effet une priorité mais si un hostel me plait pas je prend quelque chose de mieux quand meme sauf si c'est tard le soir ou autre.

(2d) Sorry I cannot remember (funnily price is important but I can"t answer this question.... )

(2e) La propreté c'est le plus important. AUssi bonne aération dans la chambre, pas trop trop de bruit, accueil agréable. Douche propre.

(2f) voyageuse seule ou avec un(e) ami(e)

(2g) 30 ans tout rond

Ta chambre d'hôte semble super, ça donne envie!!! The English tutoring is definitely a plus I guess because it is just here ready for guests. That could be a good place to "start" in Australia or in Vic or a safe heaven as well for travellers.

Hope this help

Hi Kate!!!
1) J'ai l'habitude de visiter en long, en large et en travers... Pas le permis et seule donc j'apprécie quand il y a un bon réseau de transports en commun ou un système organisé d'auto-stop comme on peut en trouver en Europe. Est-ce que ça existe en Oz?
2a) Si j'ai des sous, je préfère les étoilés (rien de tel qu'une chambre privée au bord de l'eau mais ce n'est pas l'idéal pour un déplacement continuel... encore qu'on l'avait fait en famille en Afrique du Sud mais à l'époque, juste après la fin de l'appartheid, il n'y avait pas d'autre choix...) De toute façon je n'ai pas de sous donc ce sera ce qui se présentera. C'est vrai que tu rencontres plus de monde dans les auberges, pub et autres little hostels. Et de temps en temps récupérer dans un bon hôtel.
2b/c) C'est donc bien une question de budget... budget que je n'ai pas encore pour répondre à la question 2d). La dernière fois que j'ai voyagé, j'étais en colocation mais alors le prix Me rappelle pas. J'ai économisé sur la nourriture (pâtes et chinois).
2e) La paix et la propreté. Ne pas être obligé de manger sur place ou pouvoir faire ses propres repas c'est bien aussi. Ah oui!!! Pas de punaises dans les matelats!!!!
2f) Seule
2g) 30 ans moins 5 mois presque pile poil

La description?? C'est très tentant!!! Complètement d'accord avec Missholloway sur ce point!
Voilà, j'espère que cela te sera utile

Je vous remercie tous tres beaucoup! Vous etes tous tres gentil/es!
This is really excellent stuff you've given me! (Of course, when writing my questions I already had some theories in my head of what the likely answers to the poll could be - so far I've guessed correctly).

It's going to take me quite some time to go through your comments with the dictionnaire to read everything, so in the meantime I just wanted to say thanks so much for the really interesting parts I can read already, and that I'll be sending most of you (if not all of you) PM's later to answer any questions you had and ask a couple more of mine, based on your answers, and also to stop me filling this forum up too much with thanks!

Kate

Part 1: Touring & Attractions.

1a: If travelling to Australia,would you consider a visit dans l'interieur as part of votre vacance, including les cites moins grand que Melbourne + des villes et la campagne?
Definitely, yes. The research for an unique experience when traveling, discovering astonishing sceneries, sharing short moments of life, and so on... needs to be done out of beaten tracks. But, on the other hand the idea to get lost and miss a day or two is frightening when the time is precious...

1b: Si la reponse a 1a. est 'non', is finding the way there an issue? Ou peut etre on ne sais pas quoi faire/voir if you were to go there?
Even if I answered positively at the first one, finding the appropriate way IS an issue (and relying on widely published guides will have more chance to send you directly in tourists traps than helping you to have your own experience).

Part 2: Le logement

(2a) Lorsque vous voyagez dans un pays 'developpé' (1st world country) loin de la france, comme L'australie, par exemple, quel niveau de confort attendez-vous pour votre hébergement ? Budget, auberge de jeunesse (dormitory), pub, simple comfort hotel (3-3 ½ star), 4-5 star hotel ou chambre d'hote?
Not knowing the environment, I will first use 4-5 star hotel, in order to limit the risk, then I will consider B&B or chambre d'hôte.

(2b) Est ce different du genre de logement que vous utiliseriez/préfèreriez si vous voyagiez autour votre pays pendant un séjour de plus de quelques jours?
In this case, I would directly consider chambre d'hôte, except if I don't have time to prepare/book I would use hotels.

(2c) Qu'est ce qui contrôle vos choix ? Préférence ou budget?
Both. Having a room in a Victorian style house, with a balcony and a garden will be considered if the price is not twice the one of a cool cottage 2km further...

(2d) Quel est votre budget logement approximatif par nuit?
I do not allow a specific budget for accomodation, I rather have a global budget, remove all 'must-do' and divide the rest for food and accomodation... But finally, it's always around 100-130 AU$ per night

(2e) Quelles sont les caracteristiques supplementaires ou facilities que vous cherchez dans votre logement d'etre 'value pour l'argent'?
Clean, calm, restful, nice site, near of interresting places, but moreover if I've been said that the hosts are sympathic that will be my first criteria.

(2f) Vos reponses sont en situation de.... (from the perspective of...)
Seul ou en couple

(2g) Votre tranche d'age? (tres approximativement)
40

Do you think French or international people might find that this is a good idea? ie the English Tutoring combined with tourism & accommodation in an Aussie environment rather than staying with other internationals at Backpackers?
Yes, it is definitely a good idea, but I guess that english tutoring will attract more semi-resident people thant tourists. Personally, I would prefer a formula where you facilitate the sharing, like food or winery degustation, common touring round, suggestions on activities, local art or calendar of events, meetings...

Hope it helps,
Daniel

Hi Kate,
My five cents worth !

Part 1: Touring & Attractions.

1a: If travelling to Australia (or already here and planning a trip to Victoria, par exemple) would you consider a visit dans l'interieur as part of votre vacance, including les cites moins grand que Melbourne + des villes et la campagne? Si oui, ou, et pourquoi? (and then go on to Q2)

Yes. So far in Australia besides Sydney and around (Jervis Bay, Myall Lakes, Blue Mountains), we went to the Whitsundays , Gold Coast , and on a 4WD Outback trip crossing the Simpson Desert .
So far have only been to Victoria once, 24hrs in Melbourne to see the Australia-France soccer game at the MCG 3 years ago... As you know I'll go Phillip Island soon for the MotoGP so back to Vic. So I don't really know Victoria, inland I guess I'd be interested with the vineyards (although I would think of Barossa Valley in SA first), and to see a bit of the countryside. I don't think I would stay in any one place more than one or two nights though.
1b: Si la reponse a 1a. est 'non', is finding the way there an issue? Ou peut etre on ne sais pas quoi faire/voir if you were to go there?
1c: Si cette information etait donne a vous dans un facon simple a trouve/lire - guides touristiques, sites web, est ce que la reponse a 1a a change?
Yes, knowing what to do and what to see is always an incentive to go places. Finding the way, well, when one know how to read a map
I do use the web a lot before going on a trip.

Part 2: Le logement

(2a) Lorsque vous voyagez a un pays 'developpe' (1st world country) loin de la france, comme L'australie, par example, quel niveau de confort dans votre logement est ce que vous desirez ou preferez? Budget, herberge de jeunesse (dormitory), pub, simple comfort hotel (3-3 ½ star), 4-5 star hotel ou le logement dans un chambre d'hote?
It depends.... Camping is good, staying at a resort is pretty good too.
This week-end in Jervis Bay we stayed in very basic and cheap self-contained units. Last year in Batemans Bay we rented a very nice bungalow, but it was pricey....
(2b) Pourquoi est ce vous preferez/choisissez cette genre de logment?
Est ce que c'est assez different de la genre de logement que vous utilisez/preferez lorsque vous voyagez autour votre pays pendant un vacance de plus des quelques jours? (j'essaie a dire 'during a longer holiday than just a few days')
I don't know to be honest. Like if I am going to stay in one place for a week or so, I'd want it to be real nice, e.g a resort, but if I am just passing by then comfort is not so important.

(2c) Est ce que le genre de logement que vous utilisez loin de chez vous le style que vous preferez? Ou est ce que c'est que vos choix sont controlle par votre prevoir des depenses/budgetisment?
Well price is one of the criteria, or rather value-for-money I should say.

(2d) Qu'est ce que c'est le budget approximativement par nuit pour vous pour le logement (en Australie ou en France ou le deux - en Euros or $A)
For something upmarket I would pay up to $250 a night. But then I would expect a lot for that kind of money. But normally I would stick around the $100 a night mark.

(2e) Quelles sont les caracteristiques supplementaires ou facilities que vous cherchez dans votre logement d'etre 'value pour l'argent'?
Location, view, cleanliness, and I'd be willing to pay a little extra if there are things like spa or swimming pool or other such niceties.

(2f) Est ce que vos reponses sont d'un situation de.... (from the perspective of...)
* une famille en voyage
* un couple, ou
* voyageur/euse seul/1 personne?
Family or couple or group of friends...
(2g) Votre groupe d'age? (tres approximativement) 33

One final question: after reading the overview just given, do you think French or international people might find that this is a good idea? ie the English Tutoring combined with tourism & accommodation in an Aussie environment rather than staying with other internationals at Backpackers?
I don't know. Why not ? Some people are not too comfortable in backpackers environment so this is a nice alternative.

Hope it helps !

A+ Yannick

Photos de neige de le 11 septembre (c'est 6 ans depuis nous avons vu un peu de neige chez nous - donc, j'ai pris beaucoup des photos!)
Voici ma petite maison, avec le chambre d'hote en arriere.




et le chambre d'hote...


Quelques des nos oiseaux dans le jardin derriere le chambre d'hote...



Il y a plus des photos ici: http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/318f9/1c888f/
(bottom of page travelogues)

Kate

Hi Kate,

My modest contribution thereafter.


To make it however a little bit trickier to read and analyse, my answers to your questions will be based on 2 different situations:
(i) when we came for holidays 3 years ago and had this amazing 3-week trip round Australia. At that time we were young, fit and incredibly handsome. Indeed we were not married (:shock: I am dead ).
(ii) now we live here, are no more young nor that fit (well actually, especially me I have to say) and have an incredibly handsome little girl .


(i) Definitely yes: that what we’ve done (and not just VIC), however stop-overs in big towns were also part of the trip. After a short stay in Sydney, we flew to Melbourne (cheap e-tickets @ 70$ !! – can’t find such interesting prices anymore by the way … ), travelled then all the way to Adelaide (train) where we stopped for a couple of days to go and admire our first kangaroos and koalas on Kangaroo Island, then a tiny town I can’t remember the name (but used to be a military site for launching rockets… ) on our way to Cobber Peddy (hitch-hiking) followed by Alice Springs (coach) and a 3-day tour to Uluru (mini bus), a looooong drive to Darwin (cheap car rental: 1$ / day to bring back the car upto Darwin!) with many stops like the twin (and other various) falls, devil marbles, the Kakadu Park and its ferocious ants…
(ii) Not as a primary destination.


(ii) I’d rather go now to some other places that we have not visited yet such as Perth, Brisbane and the gold coast, … Though all those nice places are - like everything in that huge wonderful country - bloody far from… everything. Travelling so far is possible but yet not always easy with a little child but more important is that it often requires more than a ‘long week end’ if you really want to enjoy. I feel that you don’t visit a country the same way when you work and live there (always thinking you have plenty of time but actually spending most of your annual leaves to go back to your home country to see family and friends) than when you just come for a holiday (you know you have a limited time and you are eagerly greedy to see, see, see). I am sure some have seen more of France than me. This is another subject, sorry Kate.


(ii) No, I think you can nowadays access any information available if you want to.


Speaking about developped and developping countries , did you know that there is no Samsung laptop dealer in Autralia
(i) backpackers
(ii) simple comfort hotel


(i) because $$$, also it is fun to meet all different people. Same no matter the duration.
(ii) because our little princess’ comfort is priceless. Ditto.


(i)&(ii) well if I could afford 6+ star hotels I guess I might be tempted, but as a matter of fact …


(i) I think we paid around 35 A$ / night for 2 but I may be wrong…
(ii) We went to the Blue Mountains some time ago and it was around 75A$ / night for 2.


(i) nothing more than a good location (close to pub) and a clean bed and bathroom. Free pickup / transfer is appreciated when not at walking distance. The most enjoyable I remember was the ‘free apple pie’ at 5pm in the backpacker in Adelaide!
(ii) clean, bathtub, microwave or similar to warm up baby’s meal


(i) a happy couple
(ii) a happy family


(i) 29y, 24y
(ii) = (i) + 3y, 10 month


I think this is a very good idea


Now we are waiting for the rates. In addition to what I mentioned before, the main conditions for me are:
- baby cot provided
- one of your now famous FDU parties in Melbourne to be organised while we’re here so I can finally and at least meet you and Jean Marie!


Good luck for reading all that.


Toche

Coucou,

Alors :

Part 1
1a : oui parcequ'il ya des jolies ville à l'interieur, et des choses interessantes comme la yarra valley, et le ski à mount buller !!

Part 2
2a : ça dépend quel type de trip on fait, mais backpaker pour 1 nuit à un endroit, ou simple comfort hotel si on reste plus longtemps.

2b : Oui c'est sensiblement le même type d'hébergement que lorsque je voyage en France. Cependant, lorsque je voyage à l'exterieur de la France, je prefere prendre des hotels de meilleure qualité ...

2c : c'est limité par le budget

2d : en France entree 50 et 75 € (ya rien moins cher de toute façon)
en Australie entre 50 et 100 AUD$

2e : piscine, billiard, bar

2f : en couple

2g : 23 ans

Hello KATE !

I’m also going to try to answer at your questionary about accomodation in Australia.

Part 1 : Touring & Attractions.

1a : if travelling to Australia (or already here and planning a trip to Victoria, par exemple) would you consider a visit dans l’interieur as part of votre vacance, including les cites moins grand que Melbourne + des villes et la campagne ?
Si oui, ou, et pourquoi ? (and then go to Q2)

Yes, if I have many time, I would like visit other countryside cities and landscape as Torkay with its surf shops and its beautiful beaches, Philips Island with its pinguouins and it moto GP circuit, the Dandenong Range with its very nice birds and Puffing Billy’s train, Ballarat with its gold mines and Eureka battle, but also the Granpians, the Great Ocean Road and Hanging Rock.
During my holiday, I try to look for many history events to know better the country and I think find in this kind of little city the real story of Australia.

1b : Si la reponse a 1a. est « non », is finding the way there an issue ? Ou peut etre on ne sais pas quoi faire/voir if you were to go there ?

No, if I don’t have enough time. I prefer to visit Melbourne first because it’s a main Australia city known all over the world and there are so many activities to do or to see . I don’t think that we don’t know what to do or to see in Victoria but it’s only a time question.

1c : Si cette information etait donne a vous dans un facon simple a trouve/lire – guides touristiques, sites web, est ce que la reponse a 1a. a change ?

Yes, but I think that these information must precise that the Victoria countryside is the most important thing to see if you want know the real Australia and this great histoty.

Part 2 : Le logement

(2a) Lorsque vous voyagez a un pays « developpe » (1st world country) loin de la France, comme l’Australie, par example, quel niveau de confort dans votre logement est ce que vous desirez ou preferez ? Budget, herberge de jeunesse (dormitory), pub, simple confort hotel (3-3 ½ star), 4-5 star hotel ou le logement dans un chambre d’hote ?

When I travel in a new country, I like to have a contact with people who live there, so I prefer B&B.

(2b) Pourquoi est ce vous preferez/choisissez cette genre de logment ?
Est ce que c’est assez different de la genre de logement que vous utilisez/preferez lorsque vous voyagez autour votre pays pendant un vacance de plus des quelques jours ? (j’essaie a dire « during a longer holiday than just a few days »)

I prefer this kind of accomodation because I can meet real australian people with their australian cultures. I think that they know very well their region and they can help or advise me about the different things to visit, to do or to see.
I think that it’s quite different of my french longer holiday because I know quite well France but if I visit for the first time a new french region, I think that I will take also this kind of accomodation.

(2c) Est ce que le genre de logement que vous utilisez loin de chez vous le style que vous preferez ? Ou est que c’est que vos choix sont controlle par votre prevoir des depenses/budgetisment ?

It ‘s really my accomodation prefered because it is a good accomodation and it is not very expensive as hostel.

(2d) Qu’est ce que c’est le buget approximativement par nuit pour vous pour le logement ( en Australie ou en France ou le deux – en Euros or $A)

When I visit a new country, I think to have an accomodation between 60 $A ( or 40 € ) and 70$A (or 50 € ) by night.

(2e) Quelles sont les caracteristique supplementaires ou facilities que vous cherchez dans votre logement d’etre « value pour l’argent » ?

The accomodation facilities that I expect are :
- very good advices about the region that I’m visiting ( what to see, what to do, etc …)
- people simplicity ( enthusiastic, friendly, nice people)
- eat Australian cooking ( VEGEMITE, ANZAC Biscuits, meat pie, delicious lemon pudding, etc…)
- clean rooms with shower and air-conditioned
- near transport facilities ( car, bus, train, plane, etc…)
- near a beautiful landscape.

(2f) Est ce que vos reponses sont d’in situatuion de…. (from the perspective of…)

 une famille en voyage
 un couple, ou
 voyageur/euse seul/1 personne ?

Only one person but I think that if I am in couple, this kind of accomodation will be good yet.

(2g) Votre groupe d’age ? (tres aproximativement)

30 years old

Final question :

Yes, it’s a very good idea because students could practice more their English and know better the country and his history.
They could also learn australian traditions and the real way of Australia life.

I hope that all these information could help you.

I have got already the chance to visit you and to use your futur accomodation, and I can recommend it to all FDU members.
It is very nice place with more activities, my favourites are Ballarat with his gold mine, the very big forest near Creswick ( the first time I belived to be in french mountaines as the Alpes with many tree), the mineral water of a city near Creswick ( I don’t remind me his name ) where you could do thermal cures , and finaly these many lakes as blue water.

COME ON EVERYBODY TO VISIT AND TO DISCOVER A BEAUTIFUL AREA : CRESWICK.

P.S: Your pictures are beautiful with snow. And at your B&B, we could also have snowing equipment???

bonjour Kate, j'ai repondu a ta demande un peu n'importe comment sans suivre le plan ni l'ordre des questions comme le font tous les autres, bon, c'est vrai je ne suis pas tres organise !!!
Et puis je viens de m'apercevoir que je n'ai pas donne notre age, nous sommes un couple de 50 et 53 ans, nous venons tous les ans en Oz car notre fille ainee, vit ici depuis maintenant 3 ans.
Nous sommes grand parents depuis bientot 2 mois, d'une petite franco - Australienne

Merci beaucoup tout le monde!

Ok, time for some comments on your comments.....
re: the B & B idea:


Actually, I'm going to go more for the 'crash course' for Tourists angle.
I guess what I'm thinking a lot about while I've spent months planning all this, if it was me, going to France again (and I wish et je reve!), what would I like?
For the first few days I'd probably like some kind of 'safe haven' where I could go, relax a bit, recover from jetlag, an environment where I could test my French out again slowly and nobody would laugh at me...before I went out and did the tourist stuff & used my language skills on the unsuspecting locals....
I don't know if this kind of thing exists in France...or if it did, could I afford it??... but for sure mine will be affordable.
So that's what I'd aim for with Maison La Gerche. That and possible tutoring for IELTS, since it seems to be what so many need or want, and since I'm now an ESL tutor, it means not only do I have access to an entire library full of texts to use with my chinese student, but I have free photocopying rights to the IELTS text book they happen to have in their cupboard too

Interesting to see that visiting Wineries is something that's coming up on the list of things that some would like to see in Victoria.
To answer the question, yes, we are in a winery area. We're on part of the 'Great Grape Road' winery touring route (which passes within 20 kms of the house) and takes in 36 wineries in about a 100 km area.
Also close by (within 1 hour) are the wineries of the Grampians and the Pyrenees (some of these are already included on the Great Grape Road route) and also the wineries of the Macedon Ranges.

The Pyrenees are centred around the small townships of Avoca and Landsborough, about 55 kms from the B & B, and there are some definite French influences there - apart from the name. French diggers were the first to plant grapes here in the 1840s - very old by Australian standards when most of the other region wineries have only been around since the 1970s - 1990s.
The Pyrenees was also the first region in Victoria to add petanque to its wineries - several even host petanque tournaments.
Also in the area are some restaurants like La Cochon Rose (www.greatplacetostay.com.au/lacochonrose) and Pyrenees Manor (www.pyreneesmanor.com.au) which offer French food - which if you saw the town, is really surprising, because towns in the area are more like the little towns of 2,000 - 3000 people with a couple of pubs & fish N chip shops, not normally fine dining. (I'll post up a winery map here later)



No worries, a FDU party in Melbourne can all be part of the deal....and especially guests would also 'have to' come to our weekly Ballarat soiree and meet all 14 of my French-mad amis
As for the rates, I plan on having 2 levels: 1 level just with simple breakfast, no use of spa bath, more or less 'look after yourself' & cook for yourself some of the time in the B & B, but can do activities and bushwalking etc with the hosts, for a bit less than $75 dbl (cheaper mid week + subtract FDU discount from this)
and then the more 'luxury' rate for those who want to use the spa bath (except during extreme water restrictions) have cooked breakfast, maybe some extra meals included during their stay or aussie BBQ, activities again - around $100 per night dbl - or basically guests can tell me what they want included, for how many days, and I just tailor-make a package for them.

Back to answer more later...
Kate

Hello Kate!

Congratulation once more for your very beautiful pictures of the "Maison La Gerche"'s constuction on your website.

Your comentaries are very interesting with a lot of sense of humour ( you have been very courageous with your plumbing problem).

It's a pity that I will take my IELTS next month because I would prefer to learn my English for IELTS exam in Australia with you as a teacher.

The "Great Grape Road" is an exelent idea because a lot of people from all over the world appreciate very much australian wine and wineries.

I think that you should include this road on your futur website such as an unmissable place.

Your 2 level rate idea is very good. I hope that extra meals for the second rate included Vegemate and many products from the white food list (see on FDU forum).

It's a pity for the first rate, you will be entitled to eat all food from the black list.

Thank you again kate to share with us your B&B constrution.

P.S.: I will prepare also my ski, my winter and snow clothes, my gloves; and ready to star winter games at Creswick when I will visit you newt time.