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Well it's pretty much set now, a 3 week trip Down Under in November focusing on North Queensland and Victoria. This will be the latest of many trips we've made to Australia over the years, but the first time for good friends of ours with whom we'll be traveling. Also, we've never seen that much of Victoria, just a quick trip down the coast between Sydney and Melbourne, and a whirlwind drive along the Great Ocean Rd another time. We've been to North Qld several times - this trip was inspired by a chance to see the total solar eclipse on 14 Nov around Port Douglas. Anyway, here's our itinerary. Would appreciate any input on things to see/do, particularly in Victoria.
Days 1, 2 Sydney (visit relatives)
Day 3 Fly to Melbourne, drive to Apollo Bay (Great Ocean Rd)
Day 4 Apollo Bay
Day 5 Drive to Port Fairie (Great Ocean Rd)
Day 6 Drive to Halls Gap (Grampians)
Day 7 Halls Gap
Day 8 Halls Gap
Day 9 Drive to Melbourne via Ballarat (o'night Melbourne)
Day 10 Fly to Cairns, drive north to Port Douglas
Day 11 Port Douglas (day trip to Mossman Gorge, Cape Trib)
Day 12 Port Douglas. (eclipse in AM, reef trip)
Day 13 Drive inland road to Cooktown
Day 14 Cooktown (Guurrbi tour)
Day 15 Cooktown
Day 16 Drive to Mareeba Wetlands for sunset cruise (o'night Jabiru Safari Lodge)
Day 17 Drive To Undara, o'night
Day 18 Undara tour, drive to Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands
Day 19 Yungaburra
Day 20 Drive to Cairns, fly to Sydney
Day 21 Sydney
Day 22 Fly home 
Booked our trip for November. Can't wait!
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Looks great Ralph, I know you're very excited about the eclipse & have been planning Return of Ralph for ages.
Could I be crass enough to ask what you paid for airfares & with which carriers, please?
Many thanks
Hi Bokhara,
Fares were not cheap for the "ROR": ~US$2100 on United from Providence, RI to Sydney. Then ~AU$500 for an airpass on Virgin SYD-MEL-CNS-SYD. Fortunately, we had enough miles for an awards ticket on United.
Ralph
Ralph, looks like a great trip even without the eclipse.
Alan
Good to see you are having another trip to OZ, Ralph. Sounds like a great itinerary, making me wistfully think of yet another trip. I have so many favourite places in Australia that need return visits, and a budget that is frantically trying to save for retirement next year. Hopefully it will not be cloudy and we'll be able to see the eclipse too.
I was very disappointed we were not able to get to Mareeba Wetlands when we were in Cairns some years ago, and hadn't realised they had cruises there.
Sounds like a great trip Ralph. I'm green with envy and I'm already here
.
Yes the Stormbird is trying to weave her magic to make sure the weather is perfect for you Ralph.
I agree that the itinerary looks good. My only thought would be to forego one night at Hall's Gap and spend the day/night at Ballarat. This is just personal as we had a wonderful stay there and we really enjoyed Sovereign Hill and the Sound & Light show there at night.
We seriously loved the Grampians too - but it just a thought 'tis all.
While I never get too much of the Grampians (must go back again soon) I concur with stormbird's suggestion.
Friends of ours own and run this place http://www.grampianstravel.com.au/?controller=Listings&action=view&id=22 You will find them very nice and able to inform you about the natural history and walks of the area.
Thanks to all for your input!
Ralph