Sorry - I should probably add that, while we recognize the importance and value of the Great Barrier Reef, we just aren't into snorkeling/water sports and probably wouldn't consider that area in our planning.

Thanks.

Think I would stick to Sydney and environs: beautiful places to see up and down the coast as well as inland. It's not very feasible to consider flying to the outback, say Alice or Darwin, in the time you have. A drive to Canberra for a night and back to Sydney would give you a good feel for rural Australia. Detour through the pretty Southern Highlands on the way, and on the return, head down to the south coast - very scenic with some great beaches.

I agree with Ralph that an overnight trip to Canberra is a great idea. Not only can you experience some small towns along the way, but Canberra is known as the "Bush Capital" because it's surrounded by bushland. It' won't exactly be like going to the Outback, but if you go to such places as Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve or, even better, Namadgi National Park, you will likely find yourself out in the bush with nobody else.
If you go to Canberra, I highly recommend going to Namadgi National Park and doing the easy, 6km RT walk called the Yankee Hat Hike. I will guarantee that you will find yourselves walking by mobs of kangaroos just off the trail. Also, at the turnaround point is a large rock with Aboriginal drawings.

Certainly the Blue Mountains are fantastic but if you want something a little more rugged try Kanangra Boyd National Park. It is just south of the Blue Mountains. Jenolan Caves are great but realatively expensive.

Canberra is definitely worth a look.

Sydney has a great harbour but in essence is just another city.

Flying in and out of the Outback is fine, if you are short of time and want to see something specific eg Ayers Rock, but doesn't really give you the sense of isolation that driving there does.

A beautiful place to visit in Sydney for be to catch the ferry or drive to Manly and head up to North Head. A gorgeous view back of the harbour and city and worth a visit at Sunset. They also have a beautiful hotel at the Quarantine Station there and offer very spooky ghost tours!

If your passing through Sydney on a Sunday then maybe consider a trip out to the Hawkesbury. A small historical town with some lovely restaurants including one on the back of a horse and carriage, the sunday markets and just a lovely town in general. Past that you can keep driving and visit some beautiful gardens such as Mount Tomah etc.

The blue mountains are worth the visit and easy to drive to if thats what your planning to do but as mentioned so is the drive through the southern highlands. So many places to visit!

Bondi is a great spot but if your after a nice meal on the water then head further around to Watson's Bay where you have a great pub and Doyles Seafood. I am pretty sure a ferry service runs there from Circular Quay!

Goodluck on your adventure and keep us posted!

Getting a bit closer to what we are looking for.

I found this older post from over 5 years ago on this forum:
http://www.fodors.com/community/australia-the-pacific/is-7-nights-in-sydney-too-long.cfm

Wondering what current thinking is on this post - would you agree that Uluru is hot with lots of flies in November? Cairns very humid? I think we are finding that our thoughts about our trip very much jive with the author of this post - I just don't know how to contact him to get follow-up on their trip to see what they ended up doing.

Still looking for something up to 1 week, low-key, out of Sydney... we have most of the above suggestions covered but still have nearly a week. We are trying to figure out for ourselves if extra flights, etc., will be too tiring or whatnot.

Any quick, one-liner feedback on:
Few days in Tasmania? What would be the most unique/interesting here or distinctive to Australia? (we probably won't "rough it" with camping or anything on this trip)
Indian Pacific Rail to Perth, then fly back to Sydney?
Melbourne and Great Ocean Road?

Also, can we get away with any of these locations without renting a car? Would their be sufficient coach transportation/touring for any of these places?

Thanks, again.