fluffnfold

My spouse and I are planning a 16-day trip to Australia in September of 2012 (including travel time from the East Coast of the US). We would like to visit Sydney, Kangaroo Island, Uluru/Ayers Rock, and the Great Barrier Reef (perhaps staying in Airlie Beach, Port Douglas, or Whitsundays). We are thinking about 4 days in Sydney, 2 days on Kangaroo, 2 days in Uluru, 4 days in GBR, plus the 2 days spent flying from the US, so that leaves 2 days give or take to spend somewhere else. Does our tentative plan sound too ambitious? (I realize that some will say that we could spend the whole 2 weeks in just one of those locations, but we don't have that kind of time.)

We plan to fly from place to place, as well as to hire a private guide/driver to show us around each location (this method has proven to be a real time-saver on past trips, and hasn't really cost us much more than small-group tours). We have a decent budget, although hotels like Southern Ocean Lodge (Kangaroo Island), Longitude 130 (Uluru), and Lizard Island (Great Barrier Reef) are too pricey for us. (But those would be our top choices if money were no object!)

Should we put Melbourne on our not-to-be-missed list? We have been intrigued by the idea of flying to the Royal Mail Hotel from Melbourne for an awesome meal ever since we saw Anthony Bourdain feature it on his show, No Reservations. (If we add Melbourne, we would decrease the days in Sydney and GBR by 1 day in order to fit it in.) The entire country of Australia sounds amazing, and with unlimited time, we would love to see it all, as well as spend some time in New Zealand, but we only have a little more than two weeks for this trip.

Seeing wildlife is a priority (I would love to cuddle a kangaroo for a photo, hand-feed wallabies, see the noctural penguins, etc.), and KI seems like a good place to satisfy that goal. We want to snorkel in the GBR and possibly see some whales (I think September is the right time, isn't it?) as well as relax a bit. We would like to cage dive with sharks, however, it seems most of these opportunities exist near Adelaide and not in the GBR. In Sydney, we plan to do all the usual touristy things, including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bridge Climb, Biondi Beach, and enjoy some great food.

Any comments/suggestions on our itinerary thus far?

eliztravels

Have you taken into consideration that you will lose a day crossing the international date line on the way there? There goes one of you 'extra' days right off the bat, and I suggest you count on losing the other one getting your bearings and coping with jet lag when you arrive. Then do a little online research how much time it will take to get from place to place in your proposed itinerary, taking into consideration travel to and from airports, check in deadlines, etc. Deduct these full or half days from your total and I think you'll find the amount of time you'll have to see the sights, let alone relax, is much less than 16 days.

BarbAnn

I have been to Australia four times (I live in California). I think you need to research how often and how long it takes to fly, etc. from place to place. It will probably take most of a day to fly from Sydney to Adelaide and then either take the ferry or fly to KI. It also takes 2 days to fly to Australia.

That being said, 2 days in Uluru is fine. Be sure to sign up for the Sounds of Silence Dinner.

For the GBR, stay in Port Douglas or Palm Cove. Make sure you take a tour of Daintree NP, Cape Tribulation and snorkel/dive the GBR. September is a great time to visit the GBR. I believe Queensland is the only state that allows you to actually hold a Koala Bear. Other states let you pet them. At Daintree, you can see a lot of wildlife. My husband & I saw a cassowary in the wild & lace monitors up close. Cape Tribulation is where the rainforest meets the beach.

I LOVE Sydney. To me it rivals Honk Kong as being the most beautiful harbor. If you have time, take a day trip to the Blue Mountains. It is very interesting, and you can see wild kangaroos. On our visit to Sydney earlier this year, we stayed at the Old Sydney Holiday Inn. While not a luxury hotel, it is in the Rocks area with a roof top pool/deck that has a fabulous view of the harbor. We spent every sunset up there with a glass of wine. At dusk, the fruit bats swoop over you into the nearby trees. The Saturday market in the Rocks is just outside the hotel.

I have been to Melbourne twice. While it is a nice city, I would not classify it as a most see. In fact, I would put Darwin and Kakadu NP above Melbourne.

Australia is a beautiful place. The people are friendly and fun. Have fun planning.

AlanJG

You are right about private guides. Sometimes it is even cheaper for two people to do it that way and have something specifically tailored to your interests.

For the Blue Mountains I recommend Carol Probets as not only is she very knowledgeable she is a very nice person to boot. [email protected] http://www.bmbirding.com.au/

The same goes for Ellen Terrel in the Daintree area [email protected]

If you really want to see lots of wildlife in the WILD then September is a great time to visit the Atherton Tablelands. You can hand feed wild wallabies, get up really close to kangaroos gliders and other possums and maybe a bird of paradise and Golden Bowerbird. I had a Golden Bowerbird almost within arms reach today. It was amazing to be so close to such a beautiful rare creature. A bit tough on the ego though that I was more enraptured than he seemed to be. As soon a one of his girls flew by he lost all interest in me and started dancing for her.

There is a wonderful guide in Yungaburra but modesty and Fodor's rules forbid me from mentioning him.

longhorn55

Those who have recommended that you start out by looking at flight times between the various stops in your itinerary are spot-on. Based on my many trips to Australia and the years I lived (and traveled) there, I think you will find that each destination will "eat up" a minimum of 1/2 day when you add in time to get to/from airport, wait times at airport, and actual flying time. I think you will find that you are already stretching it thinly by going to 4 different locations in 14 days.

If you find that you have some extra time, add it to Kangaroo Island. I've been there twice and I would recommend a stay of no less that 3 days.

AlanJG

If seeing Echidna in the wild is a must then you should include Kangaroo Is. and I agree that if you are going there you are best to allow a minimum of two whole days on the ground. Don't forget to go out at night as that is when the wildlife is about.

The same holds true for the Atherton Tablelands west of Cairns.

jayneLB

All I can add is that 2 weeks is not enough for all that you would like to do. There is so much to do and see and the distances are vast.

Poida10

16 days truly isnt enough for all you want to do. But one has to be realistic with the amount of time they have. It ALL boils down to whether 'quantity' or 'quality' is more important to you. Id cut down your time in Sydney. They have a nice harbour and the Blue Mountains are nice. But that's it. It's over rated. You really shouldnt come all this way and miss Melbourne. Cut down a day in Sydney and GBR as you mentioned.

Sue_xx_yy

I understand the pressure of time, but do yourself a favour: pick three areas max for a 14 night trip. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed our 5 days in the Melbourne area (including Cape Otway/Great Ocean Road, where we saw kangaroos and koala bears, also the odd penguin, parrot, and echidna.)

Enjoy Oz!

northie

Sue just Koalas -they are not bears!Glad you enjoyed Melbourne

Bokhara2

Austentayshus' rendition of Billy Birmingham's lyrical tilt at Australian fauna springs to mind ... "How Much can a Koala bear?"

http://justin.justnet.com.au/oz/australiana/