peggionthego

We went to Sydney, Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, Uluru, Palm Cove, Great Barrier Reef, cable car over Barron Gorge, train from Karunda, aboriginal culture park near Cairns, Tasmania (Hobart, Tasman Peninsula, Freycinet National Park), Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, South Island of New Zealand. Our favorites were: the three wildlife sanctuaries (Featherdale, Bonorong, Healesville), Bicheno Penguins, yellow boat around Tasman Peninsula, Harbor Cruise of Sydney with "Cruise like a local", Opera House Tour, snorkeling off the boat Poseidon, bushwalking in the Yoo Yangs with Echidna walk about, four luxury days at Saffire on Tassie, and glacier hike on Fox Glacier. We were disappointed by Desert Gardens @ Uluru - wish we had considered the one luxury property there since we only spent one night. The Sounds of Silence dinner was too large a group and the food wasn't great. We didn't think the Tramcar Restaurant in Melbourne was worth the time or money. Our Doubtful Sound excursion in NZ was too long a day for us; and there was an unnecessary power plant tour included. Perhaps it would have been easier to do Milford Sound? Our hike in the Blue Mountains was more strenuous than we had intended: there are less strenuous hikes and we wish we had figured that out (the maps and signs weren't very clear). Also wouldn't do the Opera House Tasting. It might have been better to have stayed in Port Douglas instead of Palm Cove for our Queensland leg of the trip. On the excursions we did where we opted for a "picnic lunch" we were universally disappointed.

A fabulous trip and we really have few regrets but just posting our opinions for those who are planning. Should mention we are "retired" and therefore not the youngest travelers!

Melnq8

Glad you enjoyed your trip.

Sorry you found the tour of Manapouri Underground Power Station unnecessary. It's quite an accomplishment and an integral part of the Doubtful Sound experience IMO - spouse had to be dragged away by his ear.

It certainly is a long (and expensive) excursion, and yes Milford Sound is much easier to get to. The drive along Milford Road is more of a highlight than the sound itself for me, stunning scenery and lots of walking tracks.

Did you have good weather for Doubtful Sound?

peggionthego

We did have okay weather for Doubtful Sound; rain early on but some clearing in the afternoon. But it's one of the rainiest places on earth, right? And the rain supplied the waterfalls. I am sure there are many travelers who would find the Power Station fascinating....and, no question, it is an amazing accomplishment....I spent time by the plaque recognizing the men who died making it. I think part of it for us was that we were pretty pooped by then! Since we traveled to Norway in 2004 and saw many fjords there, I just wonder if Milford would have made more sense for us???

peggionthego

Other travelers we encountered were staying closer to Doubtful to reduce the length of the time to get there...I think in Te Anau?? With this kind of an extended trip, I didn't think we'd get everything perfect for us...so just trying to share where I'd consider a tweak! Also, this was nearing the end of our five week trip. I think my brain and my vision were imploding!

Melnq8

Yes, Te Anau and Manapouri both make good bases for Doubtful Sound - a much shorter drive than coming from Queenstown.

We usually stay in Te Anau because there are so many wonderful tracks in the vicinity. Last visit we stayed in Manapouri and Knobs Flat - Manapouri gave us easy access to the Southern Scenic Route and some off-the-beaten path areas in Fjiordland - Knobs Flat gave us easy access to some gems on the Milford Road (Knobs flat is halfway between Te Anau and Milford Sound).

We prefer Glenorchy over Queenstown, but first time visitors generally head to Queenstown, I assume that's where you were based for your Doubtful trip?

Glad you had okay weather. There's nothing quite like Milford on a sunny day (I've seen it sunny and rainy many times and I much prefer the sun!). Our Doubtful Sound trip was pretty gloomy with obscured views (and even some snowflakes), so I was disappointed, especially given the time and expense to get there.

peggionthego

I failed to mention that we did LOVE Queenstown and wish we had spent more time there. It's a gorgeous spot.