1st time to Australia
 

Hi all! Going to be traveling to Australia shortly, and am interested in any information on some GREAT things to do....from nightlife to day tours. We will be spending the bulk of our time (my husband and me) in Sydney and Melbourne. What's better....wine tours near Sydney or near Melbourne? Blue Mts or the Dandenog Ranges? We're trying to even it out and only do one big day in each area.....one wine and one mountain like. Thanks for any information on things to do/see!!!

Blue mountains is preferable to Dandedongs.<BR>Hunter valley is more extensive and a better wine trip than the yarra.<BR>Sydney has the better beaches and nicer harbours eg Pittwater.<BR>The message is clear..less time in Melbourne. The great ocean road is the best trip out of melbourne but tough to do on a day trip.<BR>Melbourne night life may be better.I don't know about that.

Melbourne has a vastly superior nightlife to Sydney, esp. for jazz. There are several major clubs here for jazz, but in Sydney it is struggling.<BR><BR>Scenically, Sudney has it all over Melb (where I live), but Sydney is harder to get around, due to the harbour. Traffic is bad in both, perhaps worse in Sydney. Lousy road signage and idiotic habits like allowing parking in main roads make both utter nightmares to drive in - 7th World conditions, we say. There is more style and elegance here than up north; our winters are a bit colder, too, but nothing that an American would consider cold. My advice - gove both only a couple of days and get out into the countryside - Australia's strength. See places like Tasmania (a must), the Clare Valley, Bungle Bungle, Port Douglas, Flinders Island and a host of other lesser-known places. Cities? Yeah, but briefly.

Was in Au. a year ago. Still dream about the wonderful trip. I loved Sydney. Everything about it. Night life, beaches Bondi for a great afternoon and lunch or dinner. A stroll around the harbor and an afternoon, and evening harbor cruise. How about lunch in the Sydney Cove oyster bar on the Opera Quay. There are several theatres with productions around the city and of course a performance at the Opera House. Tickets can be obtained on line prior to departure. There is Star City if you like to gamble and all. <BR>Also recommend the Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley. Didn't do these myself, but friends have been to both Sydney and Melbourne and liked these sites better. <BR>As one other recommended to you, take a couple of days and go to Port Douglas. Spend one day on the reef snorkeling or diving. I did the Quicksilver trip and had a wonderful time. My 1st and probably only snorkelling experience as I have a fear of being in the water. I did fine and would not give for that experience. Also, there are all day tours of the rainforest. It is breathtakingly beautiful. Many nice inexpensive apts. and hotels to stay in in P.D. Taxis are dirt cheap and the food is to die for. Hope this helps. Have fun. Can make suggestions on other things to see and do if you are interested.

Thanks for the information everyone! We will be in Sydney for 4 days, Cairns for 4, and Melbourne for 5 (it was a package deal through our travel agent). We for sure are taking a snorkel trip to the reef, and a day trip to the rainforest. Any good jazz clubs in Melbourne, I'd love the name!!! We love jazz. And blues...any blues places? Thanks, Dorothy

Dorothy,<BR><BR>Here is a link that I personally think is invaluable: citysearch.com<BR><BR>Try that..it has Sydney and Melbourne info as well.<BR><BR>Anand