Plans are firming up. We arrive in Sydney on Saturday, December 1; take off for Blackheath for a few days, return to Sydney, fly out to Cairns for a few days, return to Sydney and fly out Friday, December 21.

Alison, the Toongabbie Session does sound interesting. What time does it begin and how long does it generally run, how does it run, and I'm assuming that the general location is somewhere in Sydney's western suburbs?

We'll probably try for the Shannon Pub Session 12/7, assuming we can find our way back to Sydney from the Blackheath Session.

It's good to hear there are options for aquiring 5-string banjos, other than leaving the window open in our rental car after parking it on some dark street.

We do respect the many warnings we have been provided about life threatening Australian critters, although we are probably more of a threat to them.

Does anyone have a favorite B&B to recommend in the greater Blackheath area?