Intresting topic raisedby Trace and Mark

Davoe
Its been my experience that they don't mind you being a "hanger on" but get their noses out of joint if you ask questions. Its sometimes interesting in popular places like Kakadu to hang around and listen to two or three of them expound about the same thing. Amazing the different slants you can get on the same object!
Tessa

Davoe,
can see your point and I have in the past,in Kakadu and also the rock,been sight seeing when tour groups have arrived.The question here is who has the most right to be at that place.If you are there and listen to the chat thats fair,but I would draw the line at joining them for morning tea.The fact is these people mostly have no other way of getting to these places so ,independent travellers are just part of the scenery.As you say thecountry is kinda free and its just pot luck,a bit like going to resturant for quiet meal and somebody having a loud birthday party two tables away,its just the way it is
Dave

Davoe,

I think they can't really tell you anything for hanging around a well-known touristic attraction while they're there and if you hear what they're saying so be it. However I usually try to avoid them cause you can find information about all those places in books, tourist brochures and the net anyway and I like to take some photos and videos of nice places I visit. Nothing annoys me more than trying to take a good shot and having 25 people walking through and sitting right in the way of the scenery I'm trying to get on film. It's a free country so they have the right to be there too. Therefore I am either trying to take my shots and enjoy the view before they arrive or else wait for them to leave (sometimes they don't want to ARRRGH!).
I remember once rushing through all of Karijini gorges lookouts to manage to be ahead of 2 buses full of Brits, and Japanese. Not pleasant but got beautifull shots without a tourist in view.

*laughs*.

I wouldn't follow them around, or ask them anything, and generally find tour groups annoying, but heck.. if they're going to talk loudly around where I happen to be standing, I'll not shut my ears. !! We generally avoid going on tours, but we've had occasions where we've found it was the easier way to see a place. ie. we stayed at Moreton Island at Tangalooma resort for a 'cushy' few days.. and decided, what the heck, we'll do the tour over the island. We did learn some interesting stuff from the guide, even if he was the only one who thought he was a comedian. (OH and I just roll our eyes at each other.) On a trip around NZ a year ago we booked on one of the Franz Josef glacier tours, simply because it was the only way we could get us and the kids kitted up with the right gear etc. We learnt a lot of interesting stuff.. and the guide in this case was pretty good. So I try not to diss them straight up. I suppose for many people, some tour is the only way they get to see a place if they don't have the experience, equipment, or whatever, to do so themselves.

I did annoy the heck out of a tour operator somewhere on the north island.. heading into Taupo. Stopped at a lookout to look at some falls.. which weren't _that_ impressive.. really. Said to hubby (we have a running joke).. "OK, tick that box, seen it, let's move on" or some such, and got the filthiest look from the nearby guide.

Well we have run across them from Kangaroo Island to Mungo. Most time have got talking to the tour guys and even at Mungo the guy told us its OK to tag along!

At Kangaroo Island they were having lunch where we were and again got talking and found out a few out of the way spots to go look at.

I wouldnt worry about listening in, but also wouldnt ask questions unless it was a real curly one, like "Where are these backpackers staying?"

Very similar to following the( christmas lights) bus around to view all the best christmas light displays .