michelle_dorland

My husband, 5yr son and I are planning a 2 week (actually 12 days, after travel days) to Australia. We are going in January so that we can spend 1-2 days in Melbourne at the Australian Open. Besides, going to Sydney and Melbourne where else should we go? I was thinking of going to Phillip Island and going to the Great Ocean Road while we are down in Melbourne. Can we add another place to our itinerary: Brisbane, Cairns, etc? If so, where? Also, how far is the wine region from Melbourne or Sydney? Would be nice to have 1 day of wine tasting. Since we will have a 5 yr with us, I know we can't pack our schedule the same as we would without him. Any advice would be appreciated!

contentedtraveller

You can easily do wineries from either/or Melbourne or Sydney.If in Melbourne the Bellarine Peninsula or Yarra Valley, both easily reached. From Sydney you cannot go past the Hunter Valley. It is also easily reachable. There are more wine regions around and close by but these are good choices and you both and your son will love it. Take the horse drawn carriage to get around, you son will love you even more.

longhorn55

Yes, with 12 days on the ground, you could add a 3rd destination. But since you have a young child, it might make more sense to just choose Sydney and Melbourne and take day trips from those places. There are plenty of things to see and do in the vicinity of those two cities to keep your family busy for 12 days.

If you decide to add a 3rd destination, you need to do a bit of research on your own and/or provide more specific details regarding your interests. Any suggestions we would make at this point would be mere speculation.

Peteralan

With 12 days, I think you would be best to restrict your time to Sydney and Melbourne and doing trips to the wine areas out of there. You will find plenty to do with your time.

michelhuebeli

Yes, since it will take you a day or two on arrival to be fully functional, I also suggest sticking with Melbourne and Sydney. Lots and lots to do in and near both those cities.

If you drive the Great Ocean Road, don't rush it, make it an overnight - read up on it and pick the location. The first hour or more are a disappointment, it's not for a while after you passed Geelong that it gets nice.

Maybe your son will be fascinated by the not-to-be-missed Otway lighthouse (www.lightstation.com), and by the history of shipwrecks along that stretch of coast, they even have shipwreck tours (http://tinyurl.com/mdorm8g) and you can share this document with your son: http://www.flagstaffhill.com/media/u...wreckTrail.pdf

Of course seeing the apostles (no longer twelve...) and the London Bridge is good fun.

From Sydney, look to make the trip to the Jenolan Caves, most impressive, either a very long day trip (get your rental car the day before, I recommend www.bayswatercarrental.com.au) or an overnight in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. You can get there by train and then take the coach tour from there. It's cold in the caves, and quite a hiking chore - good shoes and a minimum level of fitness are indicated, and you can pick shorter or longer hikes. They are all very much worth it. See for yourself at www.jenolancaves.org.au

Also climb the Harbour Bridge Pylon (the only one of the four that's open to the public) and bring your camera, you won''t soon forget it (www.pylonlookout.com.au)

Hop on ferries just for the heck of it, they might provide the most lasting memories of all!
Get a MyMulti pass - see which number (offering various services and ranges) will suit you at http://www.sydneytrains.info/tickets...i_fare_map.pdf - they cover ferries, trains, and buses on a weekly pass, valid from the day of purchase.

Lots more to do - the days will rush by, have fun!

dreamon

I think visiting the Great Ocean Road as a day trip from Melbourne, especially with a child, would not be at all enjoyable. It's quite a long drive and the best bits of the area are seen on your feet, not from the car. To really enjoy the area, take some local walks (e.g. behind Lorne or a section of the Great Ocean Road Walk).

With 12 nights you could consider Melbourne (5) Great Ocean Road area (3) Sydney (4) or something like that. Don't forget to check out Avalon airport west of Melbourne as another option. To visit the wine areas near Sydney or Melbourne, you'll need a car or a tour.

I would definitely not consider adding either Brisbane or Cairns as they'll require another flight which will chew up more travel time.

January is the busiest time of the year for holidays in Australia so you need to book urgently for anywhere that you think Aussie families might spend their own holidays (esp. anywhere on the coast).

Check stayz.com for alternatives to hotels. And when staying in Melbourne, don't restrict yourself to the central business district - try Richmond, South Yarra, Carlton and other inner neighbourhoods.

Have fun.