Images2

We will be traveling to Australia for the first time in May. I'd love any feedback on our planned itinerary.

We are a couple in our late 50's and love the outdoors, and photography.

6 a.m. arrival in Sydney, from the U.S. then spending 4 nights at the Russell Hotel in The Rocks.

Day 1 -Town Hall visit for leaflets, on DIY walking tours
I'm Free Tours of Sydney (tip the guide well). Their 3 hour tours are at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. every day.
Taranga Zoo Ferry ride over from Circular Quay probably limit ourselves to the Australian animals and bird flight show
Walk across bridge if time at dusk

Day 2 - Sydney Fish Market I'd love to do the morning tour, but I'm not sure if we can actually arrive so early. Tour at 6:40 a.m.
If not, just go in the morning later.
Ferry to Manly beach and do the walk along the coast.
Hyde Park Barracks Museum
Royal Botanic Garden and sunset photos

Day 3 - Trip to the Blue Mountains (Saturday) Taking the train independently Once there, there is a Trolly Bus or an Explorer Bus.
It seems that the Trolly bus runs in the opposite direction as the Explorer Bus. It is $25 while the Explorer bus is $38, but
runs more often. We'd like to arrive in Katoomba and return from Leura. I have mapped out where we want to hike here
using the site wildwalks.com

Day 4 - Market day in The Rocks
Bondi Beach Markets and walk to Coogee.

Day 5- Fight to Cairns, rent car We have 6 nights in this area. 1 in Yungaburra (Atherton Tableland), 1 Mosseman Gorge,
2 in Cape Tribulation, 2 in Port Douglas

Arrival in Cairns around noon. We overnight in Yungaburra, so I'm thinking of driving south, by Babinda Boulders,
Josephine Falls, Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway and Millaa Millaa Falls. We can't do all of this, what would be
our best choices? P.M. at the Williams Lodge

Day 6 - Atherton Tableland good map on the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service site for Wooroonooran National Park and
Talblelands Parks and forests (north & south) maps, and Misty Mountains region (map 1) Possibilities today: Lake Barrine,
Lake Eacham and Crater Lakes National Park, Curtain Fig National Park, Hasties Swamp NP and Mount Hypipamee NP.
Also the Granite Gorge with their Rock Wallabies interest me. What are the best choices? P.M. at Mossman Gorge B&B

Day 7 - Note we're skipping Kuranda (map on the same site for Barron Gorge National Park is good) The cost is to high for the skyrail and train.
I think it sounds to touristy.
We plan on starting the day at Mossman Gorge and the boardwalks. Taking the longer 3 km walk here.
Drive to Cape Tribulation stopping at several points on the way. Alexandra Lookout, Jindalba Visitor Area and Boardwalk,
Cow Bay Beach, Marrdja Boardwalk, Noah Valley walk, Kulki Lookout. P.M. 2 nights at Cape Tribulation Exotic Fruit Farm

Day 8 - Ocean Safari to the Great Barrier Reef, from Cape Tribulation. Half Day
Dubuji Rainforest Walk, Myall Beach 2nd night in Cape Trib.

Day 9 - a.m. Cape Trip, then the Daintree Discovery Center and aerial walkway
Sunset Cruise on the Daintree River 4:00 - 6:00
Drive to Port Douglas, Port Douglas Carnivale begins here tonight with a 7:00 p.m. parade p.m. By the Sea Port Douglas

Day 10 - Carnivale activities and beach time in Port Douglas

Day 11 - a.m. market in Port Douglas, Fly from Cairns to Darwin arrival at 2:45 rent 4WD Rental prices were SO high for our one
way rental here. We drop the car off in Katherine. Discovery Car Hire Australia was where I found the best prices.
P.M. in Darwin at the Travelodge Mirambeena Resort (so, so reviews but I got a good price) We'd love to see the Museum and
Art Galley museum here even if it's just for 1 hour. Botanical Gardens open until 7 p.m. Mindil Beach Night Market.

Day 12 - Leave early for drive to Kakadu. Stop at Fogg Dam, Windows on the Wetlands, Crocodile jumping cruise , Mamukala overlook,
Bowali Visitors Center. Is it $25 each for tickets into Kakadu or not? I see conflicting information on this on the web.
P.M. Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn

Day 13 - Nourlangie Rock walk, Anbangbang Billabong Walk, Bardedjilidji Walk, Manngarre Walk, Ubirr Rock formations and art,
Nadab lookout for sunset P.M. Gagudiju Crocodile Holiday Inn, night 2

Day 14 - Yellow Spring area, maybe just walks here since the a.m. cruise is almost $100 each. Does Australia have any coupon books
or National Park passes for reduced prices? This trip isn't to affordable with a weak dollar.
Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Center, Mardugal Billabong walk (30 min.) Gungardun walk (1 hour)

Drive to Katherine return rental car here and board the Ghan - Red Service Day/Nighter Seat (airline type seats on this train,
early bird rate was less than flying to Alice Springs) P.M. on the Ghan to Alice Springs 6 p.m. departure

Day 15 - 9:00 a.m. in Alice Springs on The Ghan Rent Car See Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm$10 admission, black footed wallabies there.
OR Desert Park. Which would be best?
Anzac Hill for views over Alice Springs.
We considered driving to Kings Canyon for the first night, but the hotel has absolutely horrible reviews now and we just couldn't stay there.


Drive to Ayers Rock 2 nights at Desert Gardens Hotel Sunset viewing from Car viewing area on Uluru Road towards the Cultural Centre.

Day 16 - Kata Tjuta Dune viewing for sunrise, Valley of the Winds walk at the Olgas
Whole base walk at Ayers Rock, in the afternoon start from the Kuniya carpark.
Sunset Talinguru Nyakunytjaku - Minymaku platform good sunset viewing. for Ayers Rock. The park website has great maps for the area.
P.M. Desert Gardens Hotel

Day 17 - Ayers Rock sunrise Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing area, Liru walk, 2 kilometer walk starting at the Cultural Centre,
then the 10:00 a.m (winter) or 8am Summer. ranger lead Mala Walk, 2 hours I think May is considered winter?? not summer?

1:30 flight to Sydney p.m. in Sydney at Castlereagh Boutique Hotel Great prepaid rate on Orbitz

Day 18 - Hyde Park area, then International flight

Thanks for your advice.

GreatSouthernRail

Hi there,

Sounds like an incredible trip!

As a representative of Great Southern Rail (operators of The Ghan), I can provide the following information which may assist with your journey planning.

If you choose to travel in May on The Ghan in Gold Service, then your standard fare will automatically include all meals, beverages and off-train tours.

This means that if you choose to travel from Darwin to Alice Springs, you will be able to undertake a complimentary tour at Katherine.

There are three options in 2013 - a cruise of Katherine Gorge, a First Gorge cruise that takes in Indigenous rock art or a special Ghan experience that highlights local Indigenous artwork, Dreamtime stories and culture. All are ideal choices for nature lovers and photographers.

If you disembark at Alice Springs, you will still be able to get a competitive rate on the tours associated with the train - one being a tour of the Alice Springs Desert Park, which you have mentioned above.

I trust you will find this information useful. If you'd like any further information on The Ghan or its off-train tours, please email [email protected].

Best of luck with your journey!

mattocs

Your trip sounds great, you will love it!

When I went, the Great Barrier Reef (I am an avid scuba diver), the Blue Mountains and the time we spent in Sydney were my favorite things.

Sadly we did not get to see Ayers Rock as it was too far out of our way; we drove up the coast from Sydney to Cairns stopping in towns on our way.

Hope you enjoy the trip!

longhorn55

Just a few random remarks based on my frequent visits to Australia and the time that I lived there:

1. Taronga Zoo is a lovely place to walk around and see animals. There's so much more there than just the native animals exhibit and the bird show. Also, at $44 per person, you won't be getting much for you money if you don't spend at least half-a-day here (and that's easy to do).

2. Don't miss seeing the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney. I don't recommend it for the shopping; I recommend it for the wonderful architecture! There's also some interesting clocks and exhibits inside. (My now-grown son still remembers the clock with the scene of the lashing of the convict!)

3. Darwin--Do NOT miss the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. This is a highlight of Darwin (I've been twice). Definitely try to visit for more than an hour.

4. If you want to save some money, don't rent a 4WD in Darwin. I don't see anything on your itinerary that indicates you will be driving off-road. The roads from Darwin to Kakadu to Katherine are all paved roads and everything you want to see in Kakadu is accessible by paved road. We've been to NT twice and rented a sedan each time--no problem driving from Darwin to Kakadu to Katherine (and within Kakadu as well). Did someone tell you that you needed a 4WD for the Northern Territory?

Images2

Thanks so very much everyone. Funny thing about the 4WD, it came up as the least expensive car when I was looking for a rental to pick up in Darwin, but drop off in Katherine. It's still expensive, but the other prices were more. It was a fluke I know. I will look again to see if anything has dropped in price.

We'll spend more time at the zoo, but need to fit in the walking tour of Sydney on the same day. As far as the Museum and Art Galley, we only have the afternoon which we arrive, since the next a.m. we leave for Kakadu. Hopefully we have more than an hour. Are the domestic airlines in Australia usually on time?

Thanks for the tip on the Queen Victoria Building also, in Sydney. I'll add it to our must sees.

Great Southern Rail, We can't do the Gold Service this time, and want to embark in Katherine, not Darwin, on our way to Alice Springs, but we'll keep your info in mind if we return. We are looking forward to the The Ghan, regardless of our Red Service

Thanks again everyone.

margo_oz

I think that first day is a tad optimistic. Even without jetlag. There's an awful lot of walking - and you're not doing the zoo justice.

Susan7

Just a couple of remarks about your jam-packed Sydney itinerary.

Day 2 is looking very full. I would chop out Manly, which to my mind is a fairly ordinary beach with fairly ordinary restaurants. I'm not sure what it's appeal to tourists is, except for the ferry ride over. You have the Bondi to Coogee walk listed for another day. I would have that as your beach walk.

If you go to Hyde Park Barracks museum, also in that area are: Sydney Sculpture Walk, The Museum of Sydney and the Art Gallery of NSW.

I'm not sure what the Bondi Markets are like, but the one in the Rocks is largely full of tourist tat. There are a few clothes stores that are interesting nearer to the MCA but largely it's things like awful amateur paintings, jewellery from India, scented woodchips and so forth.

Trav

Re: Cape Trib

My daughter and I stayed at the Exotic Fruit Farm and LOVED it. That stay and Ocean Safari to the reef were indeed the highlight of our Australian journey.

Your host Digby is kind and gracious (his wife was hospitalized during our stay). He'll make you a terrific breakfast and invite you to his home for a glass of wine.

Lovely!

dottyp

I second longhorn55 - DO NOT miss the museum. My DH and I visited it on 2 consecutive days because it is so interesting. Really well laid out, great and interesting exhibits.

Ghan trip is worth the experience. We did the same - embarking in Katherine, disembarking in Alice. In fact if you click on my name and go to my trip reports you will see my 3 reports on our trip in this area in 2011. It is an incredible place to visit.

Dot

Images2

Thanks for your help. I'm cutting and rearranging per your tips.

A big tip from me. Mom's Day in Sydney offers a free HHT ticket for Mom's.

http://www.hht.net.au/__data/assets/...utumn_2013.pdf

That will help with admissions if I move things around. Sunday morning at the Museum of Sydney will be good with this, then Bondi in the afternoon. We may cut out Manley and move the city walk to Friday, giving us more zoo time on Thursday.

The Exotic Fruit Farm is open in May, but with friends taking over as the owners will be on vacation while we're there.

Exactly were is the Sydney Sculpture Walk, I'm having trouble finding it.

Any priorities for the Tablelands would be helpful Alan

Dotty, I've read your wonderful reviews over and over. You've already been a great help. Have a great time on your next trip too!

The8treGirl

Why oh why do tourists leave out Brisbane when they travel to Australia?

A vibrant, exciting city - granted not a huge number of tourist-y sorts of attractions but a very real look at how Australians live. Fastest growing city in the country!

I spent three hours riding the City Cat - a sort of bus on the river - on my last visit and was blissed out with the weather and the sites/views. Plus eating in Brisbane is a pure pleasure, in every neighbourhood.

Susan7

You can download a map of the Sculpture Walk from the City of Sydney website.

http://www.cityartsydney.com.au/city...lkingtours.asp

AlanJG

G'day Images2,
As you arrive only at midday there is no way you can fit all that in on the afternoon of day 5. I would also push Granite Gorge back to day 7 to avoid significant back tracking on day 6.

Here are my suggestions for you utilising most of the places you have picked for yourself.

Day 5 Cairns Drive south as far as Gordonvale and turn west on the Gillies Highway. You could have a swim in the Mulgrave River at Ross & Loche picnic area if that is your thing. Stop to admire the view on the drive up the range which has nearly 250 bends in 19 kilometres and gains about 900 metres in altitude. This is mostly through eucalypt forest. At the top and before you drop down onto the Atherton Tablelands there is a turn to the right to the Cathedral Fig, this is a larger version of, in a different shape to, the more famous Curtain Fig at Yungaburra. Drive to Lake Barrine and do the short 600 metres walk which will take you passed the Twin Kauris. Drive to Yungaburra and check in. Pick up the town walking guide and explore the village, ending up at Allumbah Pocket with some light left to watch for Platypus. Ask Peter where they have been seen most regularly, as in upstream or down from the suspension bridge. Be prepared to wait at a pool for about 5 minutes to see if there is any activity. They are usually down for about 35 - 55 seconds when feeding and only up 5 - 10 sec. There is good interpretive material at the shelter shed at Allumbah and at the Platypus Viewing Platform by the road bridge. The females are only about 14 inches long in north Queensland.

If you are interested in bats go under the road bridge after dark as the Large-footed Myotis which are a fishing bat live and hunt from there.

Day 6 Yungaburra _ Yungaburra
Visit Lake Eacham, perhaps doing the 3km walk around the lake. Heading south to do the waterfall circuit call into Tarzalli Lakes Fish Farm to see Platypus if you did not get satisfactory views the day before or early this morning. After the Millaa Millaa Falls circuit head up to the lookout and on to Mt Hypipamee where there is a large hole in the ground and a pleasant walking track down into the headwaters of the Barron River. North towards Atherton and visit Hasties Swamp. Not sure there will be much wildlife there but this is a strange year and there are a lot of western birds there now despite the high water levels. Return to Yungaburra via the Curtain Fig.

Day 7 Yungaburra - Cape TRib.
Call into Granite Gorge for the Rock Wallabies but also keep an eye out for the very cryptic Frilled-neck Lizards on the trees once you get off the red basalt soils. If you have not seen Eastern Grey Kangaroos by now call in at the Golf Club in Mareeba near the start of the road west. Do ask permission before heading out on the course if you need to to get a close look. Don't walk straight at the animals and don't watch the while you are moving and you'll get really close.

Hope this is of use.
Alan

Songdoc

Looks like a great trip--but no tour of the Sydney Opera house? Be sure to visit (and eat) in Chinatown, too.

Alexandra Lookout was awesome. Got some great photos there.

Hope you have a great time!

Sue_xx_yy

Hello, re your day three: we too did a day trip to the Blue Mountains.

It's not that far to walk from Katoomba station to the cliff edge (maybe 20 minutes downhill), where you can pick up the hike (Prince Henry Cliff walk) that will take you from the Three Sisters/Echo Point to Leura Cascades; you can then make your way north to Leura and its station for the train back to Sydney. In other words, do not worry about that overpriced sightseer bus, it's really not necessary.

Images2

Thanks for great tips again. My husband isn't interested in an opera house tour, help me convince him otherwise!

Alan, thanks, your suggestions are wonderful. I think i'll be in touch for a night tour. I'll try your web site. Ive been watching you tube videos today on Queensland. They've been very helpful.

Leaving out the blue mountain bus makes me very happy. Overpriced is right. Glad we can do it without the bus.

AlanJG

I'll be away so we will not meet. I leave here in April and don't get back till June so everyone can see that I was not touting for business.

If you have questions about spotlighting by yourself please ask.

Images2

Have a great time! We don't think you're touting for business. You're very, very helpful to us. I asked for your advice because you're an expert.

May must be vacation time in Queensland. You're not the only one away that month. Enjoy your time off.

Sue_xx_yy

Hello Images. Incidentally, we descended the stairs down as far as the Three Sisters 'bridge' (you'll see what I mean when you get there) - to get a different aspect of the cliffs, without killing our knees too much. Then went back up to the clifftop to resume our walk (and glad we were to have gone down no more than we did, that was enough 'Stairmaster' workout. )

Enjoy your trip.

AlanJG

May is not a very big month for tourism so many of us take holidays at that time of year, when we do take holidays.

More tourist operators around here take theirs in February or March when the rain is usually set in but we had wonderful tourist weather this year.