Planning for first trip Down Under (Feb/Mar 2012)
Jan 18th, 2011, 01:57 PM
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Planning for first trip Down Under (Feb/Mar 2012)
I've come up with a draft itinerary to attempt to see the 10 or so things I'm most interested in seeing on my first trip to Australia -- and I'd like feedback from experienced Australian travellers. Thoughts and advice encouraged, please. 
It's important to note that I'm trying to pack in a lot just in case I'm never able to go back, so I've noted those sites/activities in parenthesis. Additionally, here are my "goals," in order of importance, of what I'd like to see/do during my trip:
1. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
2. Attend Adelaide Festival of Arts
3. See Phillips Island Penguin Parade
4. Drive the Great Ocean Road
5. Some sort of "outback" experience (see the Dingo Fence?... other ideas?)
6. Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb
7. Aboriginal cultural experience ???
8. Tour the Sydney Opera House
9. Uluru Base Walk
10. Kuranda wildlife park via Skyrail Cableway
** Are any of these way overrated? Am I missing something that is quintessential Australia?
DRAFT ITINERARY:
International Flight to Sydney, 2 nights. (Sydney Opera House)
Fly to Cairns, 3 nights. (Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef; Kuranda Wildlife Park via Skyrail Cableway - time permitting)
Fly to Melbourne, 2 nights. (Phillips Island Penguin Parade; Koala Conservation Centre - time permitting)
Road Trip - Rental Car - Drive the Great Ocean Road between Melbourne and Adelaide. One overnight en route, location TBD.
Adelaide, 3 nights. (Adelaide Festival of Arts; Cleland Conservation Park; Taste of the Barossa day tour - time and $ permitting)
- One of two Options - Whichever gets me the better "Australian Experience"
Option 1: The Ghan from Adelaide to Alice Springs, 1 night on train; 1 night in Alice Springs and 1 night near Uluru [or direct transfer from Alice Springs to Uluru for those 2 nts]. (Base Walk Uluru)
Option 2: Fly from Adelaide to Coober Pedy. Stay Coober Pedy for 2 nights. (Tour Coober Pedy and Breakaways - Dingo Fence; Opal Tour - time permitting)
Return Flight to Sydney, 2 nts. (Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb)
International Flight to USA.
Total nights: 16 or 15, not including flight time
It's important to note that I'm trying to pack in a lot just in case I'm never able to go back, so I've noted those sites/activities in parenthesis. Additionally, here are my "goals," in order of importance, of what I'd like to see/do during my trip:
1. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
2. Attend Adelaide Festival of Arts
3. See Phillips Island Penguin Parade
4. Drive the Great Ocean Road
5. Some sort of "outback" experience (see the Dingo Fence?... other ideas?)
6. Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb
7. Aboriginal cultural experience ???
8. Tour the Sydney Opera House
9. Uluru Base Walk
10. Kuranda wildlife park via Skyrail Cableway
** Are any of these way overrated? Am I missing something that is quintessential Australia?
DRAFT ITINERARY:
International Flight to Sydney, 2 nights. (Sydney Opera House)
Fly to Cairns, 3 nights. (Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef; Kuranda Wildlife Park via Skyrail Cableway - time permitting)
Fly to Melbourne, 2 nights. (Phillips Island Penguin Parade; Koala Conservation Centre - time permitting)
Road Trip - Rental Car - Drive the Great Ocean Road between Melbourne and Adelaide. One overnight en route, location TBD.
Adelaide, 3 nights. (Adelaide Festival of Arts; Cleland Conservation Park; Taste of the Barossa day tour - time and $ permitting)
- One of two Options - Whichever gets me the better "Australian Experience"
Option 1: The Ghan from Adelaide to Alice Springs, 1 night on train; 1 night in Alice Springs and 1 night near Uluru [or direct transfer from Alice Springs to Uluru for those 2 nts]. (Base Walk Uluru)
Option 2: Fly from Adelaide to Coober Pedy. Stay Coober Pedy for 2 nights. (Tour Coober Pedy and Breakaways - Dingo Fence; Opal Tour - time permitting)
Return Flight to Sydney, 2 nts. (Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb)
International Flight to USA.
Total nights: 16 or 15, not including flight time
Jan 18th, 2011, 02:40 PM
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Catch Tjapukai Aboriginal Centre while in Cairns.
I think you have good ideas and the ultimate choice should depend on your preferences not mine. Some get an "Australian" experience without leaving a capital city.
I think you have good ideas and the ultimate choice should depend on your preferences not mine. Some get an "Australian" experience without leaving a capital city.
Jan 18th, 2011, 03:41 PM
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<b>"Am I missing something that is quintessential Australia?"</b>
Maybe a ride on the Sydney ferries. A trip to the Taronga Zoo can be combined with a ferry ride. Alternatively, a ferry to/from Manly on the first day is a good way to fight jet lag while seeing some spectacular harbour scenery. The Sounds of Silence Dinner at Uluru is also not to be missed.
<b>"Total nights: 16 or 15, not including flight time "</b>
My opinionated opinion is that there is <u>wayyy too much moving about</u> in 15-16 days. It doesn't sound like a relaxing trip at all.
If it were my trip, I would add some additional days or cut something from the itinerary.
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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
Maybe a ride on the Sydney ferries. A trip to the Taronga Zoo can be combined with a ferry ride. Alternatively, a ferry to/from Manly on the first day is a good way to fight jet lag while seeing some spectacular harbour scenery. The Sounds of Silence Dinner at Uluru is also not to be missed.
<b>"Total nights: 16 or 15, not including flight time "</b>
My opinionated opinion is that there is <u>wayyy too much moving about</u> in 15-16 days. It doesn't sound like a relaxing trip at all.
If it were my trip, I would add some additional days or cut something from the itinerary.
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Jan 18th, 2011, 05:07 PM
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As someone in the arts, I'm curious that you would put the Adelaide Festival so high on your list. Is there something in particular on that year that you want to see? To be frank, it's not an event I would travel interstate to see most years.
I agree with Orlando-Vic your itinerary looks very busy for roughly two weeks. I'd think about maybe 3-4 locations, maybe the classics: Sydney or Melbourne, reef, rock (plus Alice Springs).
The Harbour Bridge climb is very expensive. I can't quite see the appeal myself, although Irish friends who did it recently and really enjoyed it.
There are a range of places you can have an Aboriginal cultural experience, Alan has already given you a suggestion for Cairns, here's some other possiblities: at Uluru you can do the base walk with an Anangu guide, you can see Aboriginal art at the Yiribana Gallery at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney, also in Sydney is the Boomali Aboriginal Art Co-operative, in Alice Springs don't miss the Albert Namatjira paintings at Araluen Cutlural Centre, also see the Papunya Tula gallery there and of course watch Imparja televison while in the Northern Territory, in Sydney see a performance of the Bangarra Dance company.
I agree with Orlando-Vic your itinerary looks very busy for roughly two weeks. I'd think about maybe 3-4 locations, maybe the classics: Sydney or Melbourne, reef, rock (plus Alice Springs).
The Harbour Bridge climb is very expensive. I can't quite see the appeal myself, although Irish friends who did it recently and really enjoyed it.
There are a range of places you can have an Aboriginal cultural experience, Alan has already given you a suggestion for Cairns, here's some other possiblities: at Uluru you can do the base walk with an Anangu guide, you can see Aboriginal art at the Yiribana Gallery at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney, also in Sydney is the Boomali Aboriginal Art Co-operative, in Alice Springs don't miss the Albert Namatjira paintings at Araluen Cutlural Centre, also see the Papunya Tula gallery there and of course watch Imparja televison while in the Northern Territory, in Sydney see a performance of the Bangarra Dance company.
Jan 18th, 2011, 06:15 PM
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Thanks for the feedback so far!
I've added those Aboriginal sites/activities to my research list.
If I slowed the pace at all, the first thing to go would be the Alice Springs/Ayers Rock option. While I think Uluru and the Red Centre would be beautiful, I've heard so many negatives about the experience (and expense), that I'm already hesitant.
Even then, I'm not so sure the itinerary is as busy as people might think. We're completely dedicated to the faster pace, as we've had to do that on initial trips to other continents -- knowing that, if we wanted to return, we would return and go at a leisurely pace and visit only those places we wanted to return, and explore further from there. So, because this *may* be the one and only time we're in Australia, we need our itinerary to be packed. Really, we can enjoy ourselves when we're busy (plus, we're leaving an extra week of recooperation time post-"vacation").
Susan7: The reason the festival is so high on the list is primarily because we wanted to experience some sort of festivity and both of us enjoy the arts. We've just had fun on other trips when we've been able to swing by something going on that's somewhat out of the ordinary, or at least out of the everyday. We were already intent on seeing Adelaide and it just gives us a reason to be there during a particular time of the month when we were already planning on being in Australia. It's not every day (or every year) that may line up! Plus, my travel companion is really interested in it, so I'd better consider his wants too!
Orlando_Vic: What is special about the Sydney ferries? I don't want to sound smug, but we have ferries here in Seattle, so I'm just curious as to why they would be a draw there...
I've added those Aboriginal sites/activities to my research list.
If I slowed the pace at all, the first thing to go would be the Alice Springs/Ayers Rock option. While I think Uluru and the Red Centre would be beautiful, I've heard so many negatives about the experience (and expense), that I'm already hesitant.
Even then, I'm not so sure the itinerary is as busy as people might think. We're completely dedicated to the faster pace, as we've had to do that on initial trips to other continents -- knowing that, if we wanted to return, we would return and go at a leisurely pace and visit only those places we wanted to return, and explore further from there. So, because this *may* be the one and only time we're in Australia, we need our itinerary to be packed. Really, we can enjoy ourselves when we're busy (plus, we're leaving an extra week of recooperation time post-"vacation").
Susan7: The reason the festival is so high on the list is primarily because we wanted to experience some sort of festivity and both of us enjoy the arts. We've just had fun on other trips when we've been able to swing by something going on that's somewhat out of the ordinary, or at least out of the everyday. We were already intent on seeing Adelaide and it just gives us a reason to be there during a particular time of the month when we were already planning on being in Australia. It's not every day (or every year) that may line up!
Plus, my travel companion is really interested in it, so I'd better consider his wants too!Orlando_Vic: What is special about the Sydney ferries? I don't want to sound smug, but we have ferries here in Seattle, so I'm just curious as to why they would be a draw there...
Jan 18th, 2011, 09:11 PM
#6
I've not visited Uluru, but I just wanted to mention that our time in Coober Pedy was two of the most unique and memorable days I've yet to spend in Australia.
Truly unique (we drove) and a definite highlight of our 16 day trip to SA.
Truly unique (we drove) and a definite highlight of our 16 day trip to SA.
Jan 18th, 2011, 09:39 PM
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Melnq8: Were two days enough time in Coober Pedy? Also, what was the drive like in term of time, scenery and stops? Did you drive straight there from Adelaide or make a series of stops?
I think Coober Pedy interests me more than the Red Centre...
I think Coober Pedy interests me more than the Red Centre...
Jan 18th, 2011, 11:20 PM
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Living in Sydney the appeal of the ferry is seeing the scenery in such a relaxed atmosphere. The city and harbour look so beautiful from the water.
You get to see (and take some great photos of) the Harbour Bridge and Opera House and Fort Denison depending on which route you take. Or the view of the city is pretty good too.
I like this is Sydney too - you may not have time to see this but its a lovely thing to do on Sunday and I think once a month the "snake man" still comes there with his snakes and lizards and puts on a show for donations. Then grab and ice cream from the ice cream van and wander down and look across the bay to Kurnell and the National Park.
http://www.about-australia.com/trave...e/bare-island/
If you are in Sydney check out the public transport options that include all forms (bus train ferry) I'm not up to date with the options now but it used to be much cheaper to buy a combined one.
Have a great time
Sandra
ps. looks like the snake man has handed it over to someone else
http://laperouse.info/?p=736
You get to see (and take some great photos of) the Harbour Bridge and Opera House and Fort Denison depending on which route you take. Or the view of the city is pretty good too.
I like this is Sydney too - you may not have time to see this but its a lovely thing to do on Sunday and I think once a month the "snake man" still comes there with his snakes and lizards and puts on a show for donations. Then grab and ice cream from the ice cream van and wander down and look across the bay to Kurnell and the National Park.
http://www.about-australia.com/trave...e/bare-island/
If you are in Sydney check out the public transport options that include all forms (bus train ferry) I'm not up to date with the options now but it used to be much cheaper to buy a combined one.
Have a great time
Sandra
ps. looks like the snake man has handed it over to someone else
http://laperouse.info/?p=736
Jan 18th, 2011, 11:27 PM
#9
Narnya -
Two full days in Coober was sufficient, although we could have probably filled a third day with no problem. The drive took us 8.5 hours from Adelaide.
You can find the details of our trip, including a blow by blow of the drive, how we spent our time and some photos here, just scroll to the Coober Pedy bit:
http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...-australia.cfm
Two full days in Coober was sufficient, although we could have probably filled a third day with no problem. The drive took us 8.5 hours from Adelaide.
You can find the details of our trip, including a blow by blow of the drive, how we spent our time and some photos here, just scroll to the Coober Pedy bit:
http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...-australia.cfm
Jan 19th, 2011, 04:00 AM
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<b>"Orlando_Vic: What is special about the Sydney ferries? I don't want to sound smug, but we have ferries here in Seattle, so I'm just curious as to why they would be a draw there..."</b>
As starruby mentioned, for the great scenery. Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and a ferry is a perfect way to see the skyline.
I also recommended a ferry to/from Manly on the first day. Most likely, your flight from the US will land at SYD in the early AM. By the time you get to your hotel, it will still be too early to check in. So...if you check your bags there and head to Circular Quay, you could take a very scenic ride. The fresh air, motion and sunshine is the perfect antidote to the <u>major</u> jet lag you will have coming from the US. If you try to do anything sedentary instead, the fatigue will really hit you. Oh, by the way, the scenery from the ferry is more impressive that from the Seattle ferries, IMO.
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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
As starruby mentioned, for the great scenery. Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and a ferry is a perfect way to see the skyline.
I also recommended a ferry to/from Manly on the first day. Most likely, your flight from the US will land at SYD in the early AM. By the time you get to your hotel, it will still be too early to check in. So...if you check your bags there and head to Circular Quay, you could take a very scenic ride. The fresh air, motion and sunshine is the perfect antidote to the <u>major</u> jet lag you will have coming from the US. If you try to do anything sedentary instead, the fatigue will really hit you. Oh, by the way, the scenery from the ferry is more impressive that from the Seattle ferries, IMO.
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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
Jan 19th, 2011, 09:41 AM
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Orlando_Vic: Ah, yes -- the dreaded jet lag. I'd almost daydreamed away that impending nightmare. I will put the ferry on my list. Hopefully, I'll take the proper route to get some of those photographs as starruby mentioned.
Melnq8: WOW! What a wonderful trip report -- nice and detailed and you even listed the rest tops with toilets! It seems you had quite an adventure... Now, I'm nervous!
With Alice Springs/Uluru out of the mix and the journey to Coober Pedy making me nervous, I wonder if I extended my stay in Sydney (either direction) and then added a day or two on the Adelaide end for a good tour into the outback, like William Creek or Coober Pedy or ??... It might provide some educational fun -- and a bit of a safety line for traveling into the vast unknown. Besides, it could be a kick with a good guide. After all, I never met an Aussie I didn't like...
Melnq8: WOW! What a wonderful trip report -- nice and detailed and you even listed the rest tops with toilets! It seems you had quite an adventure... Now, I'm nervous!
With Alice Springs/Uluru out of the mix and the journey to Coober Pedy making me nervous, I wonder if I extended my stay in Sydney (either direction) and then added a day or two on the Adelaide end for a good tour into the outback, like William Creek or Coober Pedy or ??... It might provide some educational fun -- and a bit of a safety line for traveling into the vast unknown. Besides, it could be a kick with a good guide. After all, I never met an Aussie I didn't like...
.
Jan 20th, 2011, 09:55 AM
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** UPDATED DRAFT ITINERARY **
International Flight to Sydney, 2 nights. (Ferry for views and acclimation, tour Sydney Opera House)
Fly to Cairns, 3 nights. (Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, Tjapukai Aboriginal Centre, Kuranda Wildlife Park via Skyrail Cableway - time permitting)
Fly to Melbourne, 3 nights. (Phillips Island Penguin Parade; Koala Conservation Centre - time permitting)
Road Trip - Rental Car - Drive the Great Ocean Road between Melbourne and Adelaide. One overnight en route, possibly in Port Fairy.
Adelaide, 2 nights. (Adelaide Festival of Arts; Cleland Conservation Park)
Coober Pedy and/or vicinity, 2 - 4 nights. Could travel by air, rental car or 4x4 tour (hence the additional 1 or 2 nights). (See Coober Pedy and Breakaways - Dingo Fence, William Creek [pub], Moon Fields, Opal Tour - time permitting)
Return to Adelaide, 1 night.
Sydney, 2 nights. (Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb)
International Flight to USA.
International Flight to Sydney, 2 nights. (Ferry for views and acclimation, tour Sydney Opera House)
Fly to Cairns, 3 nights. (Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, Tjapukai Aboriginal Centre, Kuranda Wildlife Park via Skyrail Cableway - time permitting)
Fly to Melbourne, 3 nights. (Phillips Island Penguin Parade; Koala Conservation Centre - time permitting)
Road Trip - Rental Car - Drive the Great Ocean Road between Melbourne and Adelaide. One overnight en route, possibly in Port Fairy.
Adelaide, 2 nights. (Adelaide Festival of Arts; Cleland Conservation Park)
Coober Pedy and/or vicinity, 2 - 4 nights. Could travel by air, rental car or 4x4 tour (hence the additional 1 or 2 nights). (See Coober Pedy and Breakaways - Dingo Fence, William Creek [pub], Moon Fields, Opal Tour - time permitting)
Return to Adelaide, 1 night.
Sydney, 2 nights. (Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb)
International Flight to USA.
Jan 20th, 2011, 08:40 PM
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"Some get an "Australian" experience without leaving a capital city."
Australia is second only to Belgium for being the most urbanised country in the world. We have always been urbanised. If you want a rural/outback/nature experience that is different!
Coober Pedy is dry, dusty and fairly ugly in itself. It is there to support the miners and the tourists. It is a very sad town. The shops mostly have bars on the windows and there are beggars. It is a town to visit out of necessity not desire.
Having said that, the three undergound churches are great. Make sure you see the Orthodox church on the outskirts of town. The kangaroo orhphanage is lovely and there are many art galleries and opal shops.
The surrounding landscape by contrast is beautiful and stunning. The Breakaways at dawn or sunset are sublime. The moon plain is eerie and the mullock heaps are everywhere.
The outback is a very long way to go unless that is your main goal.
Sydney ferries although not special in themselves (apart from the fact that they are named after the boats in the first fleet) do give you cheap access to views rather than taking a cruise.
For Sydney and Melbourne look at my post titled "Sydney or Melbourne" or vice versa.
For the Great Ocean Road. If you want to see glow worms stay the night at Port Campbell and go to the Melba Gully part of the Otways National Park. Along the track at night you will see thousands. There are ranger talks over summer. Also on the Great Ocean Road is the Otway Fly which is a walkway in the tree tops of some very tall trees.
Any particular reason for visiting Cleland National Park? I would skipit to give more time for your outback tour. Visit lake Eyre as it is full and maybe the outback centre in Port Augusta.
Australia is second only to Belgium for being the most urbanised country in the world. We have always been urbanised. If you want a rural/outback/nature experience that is different!
Coober Pedy is dry, dusty and fairly ugly in itself. It is there to support the miners and the tourists. It is a very sad town. The shops mostly have bars on the windows and there are beggars. It is a town to visit out of necessity not desire.
Having said that, the three undergound churches are great. Make sure you see the Orthodox church on the outskirts of town. The kangaroo orhphanage is lovely and there are many art galleries and opal shops.
The surrounding landscape by contrast is beautiful and stunning. The Breakaways at dawn or sunset are sublime. The moon plain is eerie and the mullock heaps are everywhere.
The outback is a very long way to go unless that is your main goal.
Sydney ferries although not special in themselves (apart from the fact that they are named after the boats in the first fleet) do give you cheap access to views rather than taking a cruise.
For Sydney and Melbourne look at my post titled "Sydney or Melbourne" or vice versa.
For the Great Ocean Road. If you want to see glow worms stay the night at Port Campbell and go to the Melba Gully part of the Otways National Park. Along the track at night you will see thousands. There are ranger talks over summer. Also on the Great Ocean Road is the Otway Fly which is a walkway in the tree tops of some very tall trees.
Any particular reason for visiting Cleland National Park? I would skipit to give more time for your outback tour. Visit lake Eyre as it is full and maybe the outback centre in Port Augusta.
Jan 20th, 2011, 09:00 PM
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Definitely recommend Port Fairy as your overnight stop on GOR. Pretty quaint little place with a reasonable variety of accommodation and restaurants. If you have a few minutes to spare, stop off at Tower Hill - old volcanic crater now a national park and usually a good place to see emus and kangeroos.
While you are in Coober Pedy, make sure you take a tour of the town - it will give you access to houses and churches. And incidentally, don't worry too much about finding a tree to go behind - there are sufficient toilet stops along the way.
If you have time to spare, Woomera is only about ten minutes off the highway - interesting place for a quick visit, particularly if you are interested in the space race.
Hope you have a great holiday.
While you are in Coober Pedy, make sure you take a tour of the town - it will give you access to houses and churches. And incidentally, don't worry too much about finding a tree to go behind - there are sufficient toilet stops along the way.
If you have time to spare, Woomera is only about ten minutes off the highway - interesting place for a quick visit, particularly if you are interested in the space race.
Hope you have a great holiday.
Jan 20th, 2011, 09:14 PM
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You will find that there are only two flights into Coober Pedy per week if I remember correctly, and because it is a small aircraft the cost will be high. Also I would give the desert region a miss in February/March because of the heat and the flies.
Places I would add time to would be the GBR area as there is so much to see and do and all that should be very new to you since you are from Seattle. I would take out Adelaide and perhaps add a day trip to Canberra and see the Galleries there. You could probably see the penguins on St Kilda Beach in Melbourne but I hope that some Melbournite can tell us if those months are good for viewing them.
I have spent quite a bit of time in the Northern Territory and outback Australia and I am not as keen on Uluru as others on this site, preferring places like Carnarvon Gorge, the Kimberlies, Kakadu and Litchfield Parks and Kathrine Gorge.
You have to also remember that there will be a lot of time taken up on your holiday just getting from one place in Australia to another so take a look at that factor. I agree with the others who said that its far too busy. You will lose half a day plus just flying to and from Cairns.
Places I would add time to would be the GBR area as there is so much to see and do and all that should be very new to you since you are from Seattle. I would take out Adelaide and perhaps add a day trip to Canberra and see the Galleries there. You could probably see the penguins on St Kilda Beach in Melbourne but I hope that some Melbournite can tell us if those months are good for viewing them.
I have spent quite a bit of time in the Northern Territory and outback Australia and I am not as keen on Uluru as others on this site, preferring places like Carnarvon Gorge, the Kimberlies, Kakadu and Litchfield Parks and Kathrine Gorge.
You have to also remember that there will be a lot of time taken up on your holiday just getting from one place in Australia to another so take a look at that factor. I agree with the others who said that its far too busy. You will lose half a day plus just flying to and from Cairns.
Jan 21st, 2011, 09:29 AM
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PeterSale - I'm confused; do you recommend Coober Pedy or do you have a better suggestion for experiencing the "Outback," perhaps in a different area? Or do you just not care so much for the town of Coober Pedy? We don't HAVE to do Coober Pedy, but we'd both really like to have some sort of true "Outback" experience, but I know that's hard to define and people have different ideas of what that means. I do know that I've already nixed Alice Springs/Uluru because it's so touristy and it's expensive. People either love it or think it's a waste...
Also, no particular reason for visiting Cleland -- and it's not even on my Goals list. It was just something else that sounded interesting.
MaryD2 - We can't take Adelaide out because we both want to go to the Arts Festival that only occurs during even years. It's one of my boyfriend's top priorities... Mine top is the GBR. However, that's one of the lowest things on his list (swimming in open, "wild" waters gives him the willies), so to compromise we're only going to be there three nights.
I'm interested in seeing the Northern Territory, but I just don't think it will be possible on this trip. Plus, isn't it the rainy season during Feb/Mar?
Marg - Thanks for the confirmation about Port Fairy. I looked into other towns nearby, thinking that would be a good stopping point. It's far enough away from Melbourne, but is still doable considering stopping for scenery, etc. I'll look into Tower Hill, too.
Also, no particular reason for visiting Cleland -- and it's not even on my Goals list. It was just something else that sounded interesting.
MaryD2 - We can't take Adelaide out because we both want to go to the Arts Festival that only occurs during even years. It's one of my boyfriend's top priorities... Mine top is the GBR. However, that's one of the lowest things on his list (swimming in open, "wild" waters gives him the willies), so to compromise we're only going to be there three nights.
I'm interested in seeing the Northern Territory, but I just don't think it will be possible on this trip. Plus, isn't it the rainy season during Feb/Mar?
Marg - Thanks for the confirmation about Port Fairy. I looked into other towns nearby, thinking that would be a good stopping point. It's far enough away from Melbourne, but is still doable considering stopping for scenery, etc. I'll look into Tower Hill, too.
