Do I take my bike to Australia for a 7 week trip?

100% do it!

Look up what you can get hold of out there, where you're based. Compare it to the cost of shipping/ flying your bike ou tand back again, any extra insurance you'll want etc.. work out the best option.

Big daddy wayne: Cool, Thanks for the offer! i'll see who might have a spare floating around...

also, check out www.fixed.org.au
see if anyone there have a beater avail for a short term loan.

take it, i flew to Brasil with my bike, the only damage that was done was by me taking the padding off!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wZWf8AInay0

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=P2jCN2nVnNY&feature=related

it takes about 30mins max to pack your bike HTFU

buy a really nice bike in oz, and bring it back n+1 (we still do that right)

The cost of a box might get you a 'lend' while you are there.
Contact fixed.org.au like Ralph said, or contact Dan @ Shifterbikes. He might have something to rent.
Say Hi to sunny Melburn from me.

when i came to the uk i packed my bike in a big cardboard box i got from my friends' bike shop (i'm sure a shop would let you have one), threw in some padding, wrapped it up real nice in duct tape, and had no problems. it's pretty quick and easy taking it apart and putting it back together. bringing the bike shouldn't even be a question!

ps i flew on british airways and they didn't even blink when i checked it, which was the only thing i was nervous about.

You'll be so hacked off if you don't take it, took mine to Sydney. You could buy one over there but when i looked they seemed more expensive cause of Oz's import tax, Oz bikes were cheaper.

...contact Dan @ Shifterbikes. He might have something to rent.
Say Hi to sunny Melburn* from me.

yes! shifterbikes had some cool stuff when i was there.

*fyxomatosis tees. get yourself one!

Actually, get me one too. :)

aus.bicycle newsgroup used to have loads of nice Melburn peeps online.
www.cyclingforums.com is linked to it.

A few seemed to have moved over here: http://www.melbournecyclist.com/

I wish i bought my bke over to sunny London when I came over... And I'm only here for about a two weeks.