Rick Steves equivalent for Australia

Lonely Planet has pretty extensive coverage of Australia. You might try the Thorn Tree forum on the Lonely Planet site.

Rough Guide to Australia and Rough Guide to New Zealand have a nice mix of accommodation recommendations - from backpacker hostels to budget motels/hotels and B&Bs.

Don't discount staying at hostels in Australia or New Zealand. Many offer private rooms with ensuite bathrooms if you aren't interested in dorm style accommodation.

The Travelodge and Accor chain of hotels are good options for budget travelers.

Kevin,as I suggested to a poster some months ago, re guide books on Australia...try the tourism board for the states in which you will be visiting. eg For Victoris, it is http://www.visitvictoria.com/ It even has links for those of you from foreign countries. NZ also has great tourism sites. Dependent on your accommodation choices, Youth Hostels of Australia are terrific, even for those of us on the exciting side of 40. I haven't read LP Australia, but I imagine that it is very useful. I am happy to help in any way. Cheers, Pat

Thanks for the tips - I have also been using tripadvisor.com The ricksteves.com has such a nice well laid out helpline for Europe, I was hoping there was something like it for Australia and NZ. The other user forums are just not quite as intuitive for me. Thanks again.