We are about to book tickets to Australia for a first ever visit. Sorry about not researching the site. On a public computer and my session is about to expire!


We have about 3 weeks, and can fly into one city and out of another. On my wish list: Sydney, Cairns, rainforest, beach, reef, then to Darwin and Kuranda NP and Katherine gorge and next to Alice Springs, Uluru and surrounds.

We think we'd like to rent an RV like we did in New Zealand a few years back, but the distances are so much greater that this may be impractical. Perhaps fly into Brisbane and rent an RV from Brisbane to Cooktown for the attractions in those areas, then hop to Darwin and another RV (is it feasible to drive between Cooktown and Darwin on our short timetable?) for Darwin, Kuranda and Katherine Gorge, then the Ghan train to Alice Springs and surrounds, then fly to Sydney to finish up and fly home from there.

What does anyone think?

Also, Qantas' flight from LA to Sydney stops in Brisbane. If we were to book RT to Sydney (it's cheaper than open jaw) but get off in Brisbane, would Qantas delete our return reservation? (We would not check baggage, so could just not reboard the flight when it makes its stop in Brisbane en route to Sydney.)

Thanks in advance for any advice you have. We have to book tickets by tomorrow to take advantage of the fare sale on Qantas.

I have no idea about Oz, but know that many airlines delete return reservations if you didn't finish the first part. I wouldn't chance it.

It's too far & too boring to drive Brisbane to Cooktown; but Cairns to Cooktown is a good option, particularly if you go through the Daintree.

Use Google's "Get directions" function to get an idea of distances & times.

Have a look at www.travelmate.com.au and by putting in place names you'll get driving guides.
Kuranda btw is adjacent to Cairns and not Darwin.

Just the drive Sydney to Cooktown would be a rush in three weeks and Cairns to Cooktown via Daintree as Bokhara suggests is 4WD.

So I suggest you create a list of locations relative to map of Australia in order of priority and then use the travelmate to work out what you consider may be feasible, anything over averaging 500 km. a day is likely not going to leave sufficient time to appreciate the driving.
www.webjet.com.au will give you flight alternatives.

Agree about driving Sydney to Cooktown - not practical for a short stay in which you want to visit other parts of Australia. Cairns-Cooktown is a good suggestion I did that last July. Going north we followed the coast including the rough 4WD Bloomfield track; on the return, we took the paved inland road for a dramatic change of scenery. Starting further south should be feasible in your timeframe, e.g., driving Townsville-Cairns-Cooktown. I've done Townsville-Cairns a couple of times - lots to see along this stretch, of course detouring off the main road here and there: Wallaman Falls, The Boulders, Tully River, Atherton Tablelands, Mission Beach, etc., etc. In any case, give yourself PLENTY of time for this wonderful part of Australia -minimally a week.

Again, like Sydney-Cooktown, Cooktown-Darwin would not really be practical. Save your time for exploring the Top End and Red Center

What did you find out about tickets?
Agree with the suggestions to restrict the amount of time you spend on the raod.
If driving from Townsville as suggested by Ralph I would reccommend turning left at Innisfail and heading up the Plamerston Highway to the Atherton Tablelands. From there, if you can drag yourself away, head north along the inland route to Cooktown and return to Cairns where you can catch a flight to Darwin.
Drive a loop in the Top End and then fly to the centre. Then to Sudney for your departure.
It is a lot to do in three weeks but can be done if you only want a taste of what these places have to offer. Suggested time frame without knowing your interests:- north Queensland 10 days for reef and rainforests, Top End 5 day Darwin -Kakadu -Katherine - Darwin loop. Centre 3 days, Sydney 3 days.

Sorry it's taken a while to get back to this thread. (I haven't figured out how to bookmark threads and get notifications for threads I've posted in on this forum - is it a feature that Fodors doesn't allow?)

We are booked into Cairns on Day 1 around noon and out of Sydney on Day 20 around 10 AM. Our dates on the ground in Australia are Oct 23 - Nov 11. We are interested in nature, big trees, wildlife, hiking, snorkelling (not diving), free-camping with the campervan unless it's unsafe or not allowed, beach-walking. Bars and gourmet dining, not so much. We hate crowds, but recognize that there's a reason why places are tourist "attractions".

We are now thinking of skipping the top end (wrong season) and are dangerously close to skipping the red center (too expensive) in favor of spending all our time in N Queensland and Sydney. Is the Red Centre "essential" for first timers?

Will likely loop from Cairns up to Cape Trib, then down perhaps as far as Townsville (though Whitsundays sound intriguing) and back up (inland?) to Cairns to return the motorhome, then fly either to Red Center and/or to Sydney to finish up our stay.

Any further advice for me?

No the centre is not essential for first timers or anybody.

If you are going up from Cairns to Cape Trib then on your way south head inland just south of Mossman to visit the Atherton Tablelands. There is a recently established big tree site for Australia but I have not checked it out or contributed to it (yet, maybe). My mate Alan, www.alanswildlifetours.com.au knows a lot about big trees and would help you I think even if you did not hire him as a guide. He was also approached to help develop the info on this site but I doubt if he has done more than me. You could contribute together and go down in history. The Atherton Tableland is the place in north Queensland for natural history and wildlife though I am a little prejudiced as I live here.

On your way north when you get to Ravenshoe you then drive down to the coast and north to Cairns making a figure eight rather than a loop. So Carins - Cape Tribulation - Mossman - Atherton - Innisfail - Kurramine Beach - Townsville - Chartes Towers - Undarra/Mount Surprise - Ravenshoe - Millaa Millaa - Babinda - Cairns. Of course I have left out lots for you to do in between but that is for you to research and decide on.

I do not think you'll regret spending more time getting to know one area in the north and the Sydney district. The small part of north Queensland you'll cover is still pretty huge!

I agree with Saltuarius - looks like you have a good plan. No shortage of places to see and things to do in Far North Qld given your interests. Don't miss Undara - a great place for walks and wildlife, in addition to the Lava Tubes. Think you might be stretching to visit the Whitsundays - I wouldnt drive any further south than Townsville on this trip. The time goes by fast and you'll want to spend time in each of the places you go - for example 2-3 nights at Cape Trib, a couple of nights at Undara, etc.

Thanks for those insights. I am a bit wistful at the thought of giving the Rock a miss, though. Who knows if I'll ever be back to Australia. In 21 years of annual international trips, we have only repeat visited Italy, Mexico and China...

You'll be back; this country is addictive. Look at what it did to Sally from Seattle. It is said that she was once a sane rational person.

Just had a look for the big tree web site and here it is http://www.nationalregisterofbigtrees.com.au/

Thanks, S. So many big trees, good thing you can sort the list by location!

Ralph, thanks for the Undara suggestion.
If we went to Whitsunday, we'd have to do it by train after turning in the motor home in Cairns. Train is around 100AUD per person Cairns to Prosperpine and there's a bus onward to Airlie Beach. But it probably IS too much for one trip...

You wont regret Undara. I've been many times, including before it was a park.