Oh, we are jealous! A year in Australia, and paid while you are there! If you loved the one day Daintree Air trip, you'll love the 3 day ribbon reefs trip on the liveaboard Spirit of Freedom. Coral like you won't believe. Also I'd take a trip to Kakadu (also Katherine and Litchfield, although we haven't been there, others rave about them). Nearer to Sydney, we drove south to the nearby Royal National Park and enjoyed the drive and noted that there were hiking trails there. Also Jervis Bay area with the lovely Boderee National Park and Narooma with the whale watching boat to Montague Island to see the fairy penguins. Don't forget all the cool things IN Sydney like the art museum, natural history museum, the aquarium, etc. Then there's Canberra and if you are lucky, you can see the elusive Neil_Oz! I hope your year+ is just wonderful for you.
Sally in Seattle

If you've got a whole year and generous vacation time, there's a lot of places I'd suggest you visit. First--a trip to the Top End (Darwin, Litchfield, Kakadu and Katherine)in the winter months (June, July, August). We've been there twice and it's one of my favorite parts of Australia.
Another trip I would suggest is to Western Australia. We spent a week visiting Perth, Rottnest Island, Margaret River and the area around Albany and Denmark. The spring months there are supposed to be especially nice due to the wildflowers.
Next, how about Tasmania? We only got to spend 5 days there, so I'd love to go back and see more of that fascinating island. The hiking in Cradle Mountain is supposed to be excellent.
If you like to ski, head to the slopes in the Snowy Mountains of NSW or the mountains in Victoria. We enjoy the area around Thredbo for both winter and summer activities. This would be a good spot for some hiking and/or mountain biking.
Finally, for a weekend trip, I'd suggest Canberra. I loved both the museums and the outdoor activities there. The hiking in Namadgi National Park is great and you can see lots of wildlife. I also understand that there's mountain biking at Mt. Stromlo.
Enjoy your year--it won't be long enough!

Charter a boat on Pittwater/Hawlesbury.

Don't ride your bikes dowm McCarrs creek road on a sunday morning.

I hope they are providing you with a house. Sydney house prices are astronomical as are Melbournes' although a bit cheaper. Anything near decent in a good area is a million bucks! North Shore is a great area of Sydney and indeed the trip of a lifetime. Glad you are coming to Melbourne for the Grand Prix. March is the best time and try and fit in The Great Ocean road.

Thanks everyone for your responses! These are exactly the types of activities and trips I am looking for.

BTW, Sally, I have really enjoyed reading your trip report.



>>>>Don't ride your bikes dowm McCarrs creek road on a sunday morning.<<<<

OK, I'll bite.....where is that and why?????

Longhorn55, The Top End was most assuredly on my list....it looks to be fascinating. Since you've been there, do you have any specific recommendations for accommodations or guided day trips?

Thanks for the great suggestions so far, and keep 'em coming

McCarrs Creek on the Northern Beaches, the road is very narrow, lots of bends and Sunday mornings is when all the cyclists get out on it. Can be a bit of tension between the cyclists & motorists.
Great if everyone keeps their heads & goes gently, but sometimes the cobination of 4wd idiots & cyclists determined to ride in a squad across the road, or either of these 2, makes for less than perfect travelling.

It's an absolutely gorgeous part of Sydney, BTW and leads onto one of our loveliest waterways, Pittwater.

Do you know where you'll be living yet?

Great opportunity & I'm sure you'll both have a wonderful time.

DKW--Since we are a family of four, we always stay in serviced apartments. On our first trip to Darwin, we stayed in the Parap Village Apartments and on our second visit, we stayed at the Cullen Bay Serviced Apartments. Both were good choices, but the Cullen Bay apartments were a bit nicer and closer to the town center than the Parap Village apartments. They were also more expensive. However, if you'd like to stay right on the Esplanade, you might look at the Saville Park Suites or the Novotel, both of which get good reviews.
We've always traveled on our own, so I can't recommend any guided trips in the Top End. It's very easy to drive there and do the attractions on your own, so that's what I'd recommend.
If you go to Katherine, there are some further things to do that I'd recommend. First, we rented canoes and did a half-day canoe trip down the river at Katherine Gorge. These should be booked in advance (as they are generally not available on a walk-up basis) through Travel North. Also, I highly recommend the Crocodile Night Adventure in Katherine which can also be booked from Travel North. We really enjoyed going to Edith Falls NP and hiking up to the upper pools for a swim as well as doing a swim in the lower pool. We went on a weekday, but I understand it gets crowded on the weekends. If you enjoy caves, visit the Cutti Cutti caves outside Katherine. We got there for the first tour of the day and had a private tour with a nice local boy as we were the only ones there that early.
Finally, we really enjoyed dinner at Tim's Surf and Turf in Darwin. It's tucked in off a side street near the GPO, but you can ask your hotel for directions. It's a good idea to make a booking, but if you can't, you should be able to get a table if you go early.

Longhorn55,

Thanks for the additional info. Everything you mentioned sounds right up our alley!! A trip to the Top End will definitely happen while we are there!

>>>>Don't ride your bikes dowm McCarrs creek road on a sunday morning.<<<<

OK, I'll bite.....where is that and why?????

As stated, the road is narrow, etc .

Most important - Johnj will be driving down there on his way to the island, and.....

This advice given for your own safety!

If you want to go scuba diving in the Barrier Reef, perhaps lessons in Sydney first would prepare you. Last week, I watched a busload of tourists learning in the aqua waters of Fairy Bower, at the end of the walk around from Manly Beach. Don't miss this walk, even if you don't go in the water. Along the way, there is an ocean pool, and whimsical small sculptures. If you cross the beaxh at the end, the walk continues to the open ocean lookouts. Relatively easy, mild hills and steps.

To get there, catch the Manly Ferry, cross the road and walk down the Corso to the ocean, then turn righ and keep going. Allow half a day. Take picnic lunch, and buy coffee at the end of the path, near the beach.

Hi dkw,

For an amazing Sydney experience on your 'new' back doorstep, second johnj_au's recommendation of renting a houseboat and chuffing up the Hawkesbury River.

We still talk about our wonderful houseboating weekend (starting from Brighton) and is definitely on our 'must do again!' list! Details here http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=3&tid=34739467

Good luck with all the packing and planning for arrival in just a few weeks ...

Jackie

jackie probably meant Brooklyn.

you can charter cruisers and yachts from the numerous pittwater marinas.

I certainly did John - dunno how brighton snuck in there!

And look, I even know that Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury took its name from the contractors who built the original bridge - a company from, you guessed it, Brooklyn in New York. At the time I found this bit of history fascinating, and now here I corrupt the whole deal by brightoning it.

Must be the election frenzy,
Jackie

Jackie, your subconscious obviously knew that Brookyn NY has a Brighton Beach.

Three favourite trips:

Tasmania. Spend a week, and do a spectacular day hike every day. Visit Coles Bay-- a short hike to a gorgeous half-moon beach; Cradle Mountain-- great hike around Dove Lake; Port Arthur and other stops on the Tasman Peninsula; Hobart's old quarter by the wharf; Russell Falls, via a beautiful forest hike near Hobart.

Victoria. Head down through the gold country, stopping at some of the prospecting towns, and drive along the Great Ocean Road to see the amazing 12 Apostles in the Bight. Come back through the Murray River wine country with some stopoffs for tastings.

NSW/Qld. Take a camper van or tent and hop between national park camping sites along the NSW coast up to Queensland. Hat Head, Rainbow Sands, plenty of other choices. End at Hinchinbrook Island, where you can either stay at the resort or camp-- it is mostly national park. You can hike through the mountainous center, swim in perfectly round rockpools carved out by waterfalls, camp on an empty beach, swim out to snack on rock oysters.

Things I really want to do: Katherine Gorge and cruising or sea kayaking in the Whitsundays!

Thanks everyone for the great ideas.

I assure you that I will avoid McCarrs Creek Road on a Sunday.....sounds dangerous!!

The houseboat idea sounds FAB!! I loved your pictures!



Curiouser, All three of your suggestions have now made the must-do list as well. I can see that we are going to be busy!!!

DKW: What a fantastic opportunity. I spent three years in Australia working at the Australian Nat'l U. in Canberra, ACT (about 200 miles SE of Sydney) and for me it was most definitely the adventure of a lifetime. I did quite a lot of outdoorsy stuff while living there. I also have visited Sydney (my wife's hometown) many times and have explored the city's environs quite a bit.

So regarding cool places to explore nearer, Sydney, I'll add a few to the list (Jervis Bay and the Royal Nat'l Park being excellent suggestions). If you ever fly into Sydney from over land you'll see just how vast the area of rugged wilderness is around the city. Much of this is National Park land: Blue Mts NP, Morton NP, Wollemi NP, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase NP, Budawang NP etc. There are lots of hikes and mountain bike routes to choose from. The following website is a good resource regarding the national parks:

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/parks.nsf/WebMgmt/HTMLPages+Homepage

I am quite familiar with the area south and east of Sydney (the Southern Highlands) because of its relative proximity to the ACT. This beautiful area includes Morton and Budawang NPs. I climbed both Pigeon House Mt (named by Capt Cook) and Mt Budawang, both great hikes. Fitzroy Falls is spectacular, as are the various lookouts in the area, e.g. Bungonia Gorge (also listed in the NP website). Remote Wombeyan Caves is also worth the scenic drive, much less touristy (though not as spectacular) as Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mts.

I could go on and on about other places to see, especially when you think about trips from Sydney requiring an overnight or two. I really liked the Warrumbungle NP near Coonabarabran...great walks and wildlife. The north coast hinterland, including the New England region, the Granite Granite Belt and Queensland's Gold Coast Hinterland, is a beautiful area but a long drive away.

My fiance is from melbourne so we travel there about once a year to visit his family still there. I LOVE it - and had a lot of fun in particular when we went to an Aussie Rules Football match - which I understand to be a bigger thing in the Melbourne area than elsewhere. Lots of fun, good crowd, beautiful city.

Also, should try the Great Ocean Road drive as previously recommended. Drove the whole thing with fiance and stayed at Oscars in Port Fairy - just beautiful bed and breakfast, very upscale with great service.

Lastly, we are not gamblers but really liked the few nights we spent at the Crown casino in Melbourne. Standard rooms are easily some of the nicest/largest I have stayed in (look more like four seasons rooms) and its the biggest casino complex in southern hemisphere. We played just a few table games, but more for the people watching, and many restaurants there - a bunch of which line the beautiful riverfront with a great view. Just cool if you want a night out.

If you want to check out good day trips in Sydney, go to this website I have just discovered. It's called www.cityhobo.com

It really is an amazing website with the best information we have found on Sydney.

We lived in Sydney for 4 years....some favorite trips:

1. Trip up to the Hunter Valley wine region. Short trip north of Sydney. Loads of places to stay...cute B&B's.

2. Western Australia...WE stayed in Perth (Fremantle for 2 nights) drove down to Margaret River region for 2 nights....then up to the Pinnacles (an amzing park of sandstone formations plus stramatolites....ancient organisms) then up to Broome for 5 great days (stayed at Cable Beach...great sun, sand surf, pearls....look for the 110 millions year old dinosaur footprints if going during a king tide)

3. Tasmania....beautiful...Cradle Mountain, then over to Strahan...cross to Hobart (stayed at Beaupre Cottage south of Hobart..great place for 2..the hosts are wonderful), up to Freycinet

4. Uluru and the Olgas...must do Sounds of Silence

5. Great Ocean Road and stay at the Cape Otway Lighthouse...spooky but fantastic...stay in the head lightkeepers cottage...you'll have the whole point to yourself

6. New Zealand...south island...Christchurch, Queenstown, Greymouth and the trans alpine train back from Greymouth

7. Great Barrier Reef/....if you love snorekling..Wavelegnth out of Port Douglas. Kuranda (near Cairns) is worth a trip..cable car one way train the other..head further north to the Daintree and cross teh Daintree river...a few resorts further up noth.

Many, many more..happy to share more detailed notes with you...where are you living

dkw - not sure if your still reading all these replies. I moved from Sydney over 4 years ago to Qld.
My favourite drives around Sydney were:-
1. Down McCarrs Creek Road to Mona Vale, then north up to Palm Beach & Pittwater.
2. Drive down south via Kangaroo Valley, to south coast, as far as Jervis Bay. (stop & have breakfast/coffee at Hyams Beach Cafe)
Of course, now with 12 months up your sleeve, your in close proximity to both islands of New Zealand.
I have heaps of other drives/destinations that may interest you.

More Short trips from Sydney include
Drive to Palm Beach and walk up the lighthouse or catch the ferry to the central coast.
Drive to West Head in Ku Ring Gai National Park. There are some great bush walks from this area down to the water.
If you plan to visit the National Parks throughout your stay it may be worth buying a yearly permit as entry fees to NP apply.
An alternative to a houseboat on the Hawkesbury is to rent a weekender at Dangar Island or Little Wobby (via Brooklyn by ferry) There is a Oyster Cruise that leaves from Brooklyn. The Australian Film “Oyster Farmer” was filmed in this area. (Spectacular scenery) …….

Thanks Again for all the great replies. We are living in St. Leonards on the North Shore and have spent the last couple of months getting settled into an apartment (too many trip to IKEA) and getting re-acquainted with Sydney. It seems that there is something interesting on every weekend. We've been to see the start of the Sydney to Hobart race, had a great view of the fireworks from garden Island, joined in the festivities on Australia Day, went to the Chinese New Years Parade, saw the QEII and the Queen Victoria pass each other for the last time in Sydney Harbor, hiked from Bondi to Coogee and back and found some great spots to bushwalk and bike right near our apartment. Whew...we're exhausted!

We're planning on driving up to the Hawkesbury River this weekend. We're hoping to get some hiking in somewhere up in that area. We just looked at the map and West Head it is!! Thanks for the suggestion AmanteDelLimoncello!

DH is going to the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne next weekend.

Easter Weekend (a 4 day weekend here!!!!)we're considering driving down to the South Coast of NSW. We're thinking Jervis Bay, or Bateman's Bay. We'll check out Hyams Beach Cafe. Any other good ideas for that region???

peterl43: That lighthouse sounds fantastic......definitely on our evergrowing list!!

We're thinking about spending Christmas in New Zealand because we both will get a good amount of time off then.

Thanks all .....keep the ideas coming....we're going to try our best to do everything!!!!

Are you and your husband runners? My husband and son did the Sydney City-to-Surf race a couple years ago and loved it. (The race is held in August.) There were over 10,000 runners that year so my husband said that nobody was running very fast, but it's got great views and it might be a special remembrance of your stay in Sydney.

DKW...I worked in St Leonards for the 4 years I was there and lived in Wahroonga....very convenient location. Another trip would be the Blue Mountains...great weekend trip and close to Sydney. We stayed in Leura a few times and rented a cottage in Wentworth Falls (Banksia Rose is the name of it..on the web, they rent by the week or weekends) which was terrific...especially if you go with another couple. Easy travels to alot of sights..must do the Scenic Railway in Katoomba while there. Also, great kangaroo viewing at Euroka Clearing (can find directions on the web) ..alot of tour companies stop early in the morning, but every time we've gone there on our own, we've seen alot. Have fun!! St Leonards has alot of good restaurants as does Crow's Nest...

<<<<<<Author: johhj_au (johnj_au@yahoo.com)
Date: 11/19/2007, 04:52 pm

Don't ride your bikes dowm McCarrs creek road on a sunday morning.>>>>>>>


OOOOOH...do I ever get it now. We went out to West Head to do some bushwalking two Saturdays ago. (Thanks for the suggestion AmanteDelLimoncello!! It was just great!) Sometimes bikes and cars just don't mix. Especially not on a winding road such as McCarr's Creek Road.

Peterl43: we're slowly working our way through the Restaurants in Crow's Nest. We already have quite a few favorite places and that makes it more difficult to try somewhere new. Such a problem to have

Longhorn55: The City to Surf Race sounds like a great event to train for. DH runs regularly, but I haven't run on a regular basis for a couple of years. It sounds like I should get back to it! Thanks for the suggestion....it's always much more motivating to have a goal to train for!

Well...our time here in Oz is coming to a close as we're moving back to Michigan at the end of this month.    I thought I'd update our original query and let you all know how well we did with your great suggestions in the 4-1/2 years we've been here.

trips we've taken in no particular order:
A week in Port Douglas with our niece visiting from the US
2 weeks in the Kimberley (Kunnunurra, The Bungle Bungles, El Questro and Home Valley Station)
Long Weekend in Thredbo
A week in Narooma and surrounds
Long weekend at the Palazzo Versace (work conference)
2 weeks driving around the South Island of New Zealand (Queenstown, Doubtful Sound Overnight cruise, Fox Glacier and Christchurch)
A week in Palm Cove with our Nephew visiting from the US
Several long weekends in the Hunter Valley
Several Long weekends in Melbourne
Another 2 weeks in the Kimberley and Broome (Eco Beach resort south of Broome, APT wilderness camp near Bell Gorge and several nights in Broome)
Long Weekend in the Port Stephens Area
Long Weekend at Silky Oaks Lodge north of Port Douglas
A trip to the North Island of NZ (Rotorua and Waitomo)
2 weeks in Tasmania (Cradle Mountain Lodge, Stanley and Launceston)
Long weekend in Newcastle
Long Weekend in Cairns ( work conference)
Weekend in the Blue Mountains

Work Trips that DH has taken .......how dare he go without me
Mt Isa
Mildura/Wentworth
Adelaide x5
Port Macquarie
Melbourne
Brisbane x8
Hobart x 3
Perth x 3
Lismore
Dubbo
Townsville x2
Gold Coast
Milton, NSW
Canberra x 10

Special Experiences while here:

Seeing the Hoodoo Gurus live at the Leagues Club in Newcastle
Seeing Crowded House at the  Enmore Theatre
Seeing Patti Smith at the Sydney Opera House
Seeing the Cult at Luna Park
Seeing Ben Folds at the Sydney Opera House
Going to see the Movie Psycho at the Opera House  with a live Orchestra performing the Score 
Playing 3 up at the Australian Hotel on Anzac Day
WeeklyTrivia Night at the Dee Why RSL
Grand Prix in Melbourne
Sydney's Fabulous New Year's Eve Fireworks
Filming of RockWiz at the Espy in St Kilda (twice)
Mountain Biking in Terry Hills
Running in 3 City2surfs (soon to be 4 times)
Running in several other fun runs around Sydney
Spring Cycle in Sydney
Competing in my first Triathlon....and my second too!!
bush walking every where we went....Bungle Bungles, The Kimberley, Port Stephens, New Zealand, Thredbo, Kur-ring-gai National Park, manly to Spit, Bondi to Coogee, FNQ, North Head in Manly, Lane Cove National Park, Tasmania
Learning to Surf and Stand-Up-Paddle Board
Kayaking  in Middle Harbour
Watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart race
Lawn Bowling get togethers
Going to the Sydney Fish Market on the weekends
Going to various growers markets around Sydney
Spring Carnival at Randwick Racecourse
Dog Races at Wentworth Park Racecourse
Completing the 27k Seven Bridges Walk...start to finish

AND last, but not least....Meeting many lovely Fodorites at the Sydney Get-together!!


Whew....we've been busy!!!

Photographic evidence of our activity is here:  
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22114608@N05/sets/


There are many places we haven't seen in Australia yet....We've left a few reasons to come back!!

A big thanks to all who've been so helpful and given us fantastic suggestions for our adventures here!!

Fantastic! I checked out a few of your photos and it looks like you had a ball.

I'd like to follow in your footsteps

dkw -

Looks like you've take full advantage of your time in Sydney and have spent your time exceedingly well.

We too, are leaving beautiful Australia after four years, and I for one, am going to really miss it!

Best of luck with your move...I know how much fun they can be (not).

Hi, dkw,

Port Stephens was one of the places I toyed with visiting when we were to come over in July but decided we didn't have enough time to do it justice. Now, after seeing your photos, I am definitely going to build it in to our trip, hopefully to be rebooked for October. You have done so much in your time in Australia. I find the more often we visit the more Australia gets under my skin!

All the best for your return to Michigan.

Thanks Sassycat! We have had a fantastic time here!

Mel, Where are you off to?? Back to the US? I hope your move goes well!!

Dotty, Port Stephens was a big surprise to me. Tons of fun things to do. We were only there for a few days, but could have easily spent a week or so there.

Have a safe trip home both dkw and Melnq8! Come back soon!!!!

Yes all the best for the trip home dkw - it was lovely to have had the opportunity to meet you at the Sydney GTG.
Sincerely hope we get the chance to meet again.
All the best
Stormbird

Melnq8 - we're just going to kidnap you so you can't leave!

I wish you would stormbird.

Thanks Susan and Stormbird! It was fantastic to meet you both at the GTG!!

Well...our time here in Oz is coming to a close.

Well it's not going to be the same, not having dkw and Mel posting from here. The best of luck to you both in your new lives back home.

We'll miss you too, dkw & Mel. It was lovely to meet you & your husband, dkw and I wish you both all the very best in your future wanderings.

You too, Melnq8 & your husband. I've loved all your trip reports and photos. I'm sorry we didn't see you over here, but that's just one more reason for a return to "the land downunder"

You've both seen & done more in Australia than many Australians do in a lifetime. Good for you - an adventurous & inquisitive spirit is a great travelling companion, isn't it?

Here's a little gift for you both. You'll probably relate to it, Melnq8
Remind you of Summer in Perth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML9h3I5Uktw

Thanks Clifton & Bokhara. We're not going back to the US just yet, we're off to another international assignment. I'll reveal where once we have the visas in our hot little hands, assuming it ever happens (it's taken 10 months so far).

I hear that song on the radio quite a lot here Bokhara, and yep, it'll always remind me of the stinking hot Perth summers!

And you'll always grin when you hear, "... thank god the bloody doctor's just arrived!"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremantle_Doctor

Yep, although he doesn't make much of a difference when it's 40C.

True, but I've also frozen my wotzits off in a force 9 gale in July/August, walking down St.George's Terrace!

Hope you're heading for more temperate climes, but with your history, I'm guessing you might not need the snow-suit.

Ah, yes, the infamous St George's wind tunnel, I know it well.

And you're right about not needing the snow suit.

"Brass monkeys, mate!"

Thanks Clifton and Bokhara...We've done our best too see and do everything possible! Love the song...I have heard it many times on the radio, but never knew the artist. Will be adding to my I-pod " Aussie playlist".

Safe journey home dkw, was good to meet you at the Sydney GTG.

Mel, can't believe you are leaving us, thought you were a permanent fixture by now.

Schnauzer

No, not permanent, but you'll no doubt see me around this board long after I've left OZ.