livelight

I need help getting my itinerary settled. My husband and I( age 70) are spending 11 days in Australia after a week in Papua New Guinea where we will be able to experience beautiful reefs and indigenous cultures. We are visiting our daughter and son in law who work in Port Moresby and then head to Australia where they will join us for just one weekend in Cairns. I had sought advice previously and so appreciated the help. But,it just didn't feel right to spend so much money to go to Ayers Rock when that also meant we would miss out on the Great Ocean Road. So, here's is the revised itinerary and I am getting down to the wire on booking. Please feel free to advise!!
Day one: arrive in Cairns from Port Moresby
Day 2: The Kuranda train, sky rail, Aboriginal Center
Day 3: Atherton Tablelands drive
Day 4: Daintree Rainforest- stay in the area
Day 5: noon flight to Melbourne
Day 6-8: Great Ocean Road returning to Melbourne
Day 9- early morning flight to Sydney
Day 10- 11 Sydney ( should have almost three days in Sydney)
We are skipping the GBR when in Cairns because we should get much of the same experience in PNG and my husband is not a fan of the water. We are also doing the Atherton Tablelands with my daughter and son in law because driving about the countryside may seem like such a relief when compared to living with the the security concerns in PNG.
Am I giving too much time to the GOR? I had also considered driving from Melbourne to Sydney rather than doing the GOR. Would that be a better use of our time?
We love nature, hiking, photography and stopping in at little cafes.
Would so much appreciate any thoughts!!

Bokhara2

There's a lot more to FNQ than the GBR & I think you will enjoy your different land excursions.

You're barely giving enough time to the GOR. Flying back to Sydney makes sense. Driving back doesn't wish your time frame.

Looks like a good trip to me.

livelight

Thank you so much. I'll have to do a little more research on the GOR to decide where to stay along the way. We'll , obviously, make a loop. Unless you have suggestions, I'll use the ideas presented in a three day tour from Melbourne to find the towns to stay in for two night on the road. Again, thanks for your help!!

marg

If I read it correctly, you have three nights for your GOR trip. Can I suggest this -

Day 5 - pick up your car at the airport and drive to Torquay for your first night on the road. Peppers Resort is in a quiet location and a nice place to stay overnight but there are other choices as well.

Day 6 - drive to Port Fairy, stopping and looking on the way.

Day 7 - drive to Ballarat, wander around the town, art galleries and museums, stay overnight.

Day 8 - return to Melbourne.

If you have an extra night, you could detour via the Grampians to Ballarat.

If you intend staying near Melbourne airport before your early morning flight, we can recommend the Parkroyal. We've stayed there several times before catching early flights - it's a five minute walk over the pedestrian bridge into the airport.
Hope you have a great holiday.

gemmapurcell

I think you must choose a reputed travel agency for your tour and you also talk about tour travel plan. I think they will get you a proper plan for your tour.