Hi all! (Mina, I notice you replied to my LA post ;-D Thanks for all the great info for there!)<BR><BR>My husband and I are traveling to Sydney, Cairns, and Melbourne for our honeymoon next month, and I am getting so excited! I've narrowed a lot of the things we want to do down, and have come up with a brief itinerary....I am now curious if anyone can give me some suggestions as to places to eat, little things to do/see. What we have planned: <BR>Sydney, trip to Blue Mountains (actually debating this right now), and 2 days. One of the free days we will be (well, trying to get tickets) going to a Rugby match. A harbor cruise will also be in the plans!<BR>Cairns: Trip to rainforest one day, trip to GBR another, and one free day<BR>Melbourne: A wine tour through Yarra Valley and possibly a day tour to the Great Ocean Road. Leaving 2 more full days free. <BR>Any suggestions on what to see/do? We will also have our traveling days free, but I left them alone to try to get used to the city. Any good restaruants? Used bookstores? Thanks!<BR>Also, anyone know where a good place to get an electrical converter would be? <BR>Thanks,<BR>jlynn

I just found a post on the adaptor a little further down!

Hi Dorothy. Glad to hear you got lots of info for the LA stopover post. <BR><BR>There's been lots of great recent suggestions here on what to do in Sydney and Melbourne (I think there's a post not too far down on it called "Sydney Melbourne, Extra days" that may help.)<BR><BR>My suggestion, to start, is to ask if you are committed to staying in Cairns. I initially intended to on my trip, but many here suggested I stay in Port Douglas. It was the best piece of advice I got, for after some research into it I decided it was the place for me. Since this is your honeymoon, it might be the place for you...an island feel without the island prices is what I read somewhere.<BR><BR>Or maybe stay at the smaller Palm Cove near Cairns. It's got a romantic ambience as well.<BR><BR>As for Sydney, lots of people recommend the Bridgeclimb. If you're not afraid of heights, it's fun. I personally thought it was well worth the money.

Thanks Mina, yes we are already booked for Cairns. It came in a package and we accepted it before I read all the good things about Port Douglas. Which is fine, we'll make the most of it! I've been reading the other posts off and on all afternoon, and have gotten some good ideas.....any ideas on how to eat for less? We can splurge on a really nice dinner once in each place...but the rest of the nights will have to be less than splurge...And, our idea of splurgingn is around 100-120 american dollars (this includes a bottle of wine)......

I think that your budget will get you a decent splurge. One night, I went nuts...appetizer, soup, salad, main course, wine, dessert wine, dessert (waiters were looking at me in amusement. I think they were afraid they were going to have to roll me out of the restaurant). I think it came to a little over $100 AUD. So with the exchange rate, it was pretty good! Of course, at a super posh place, it will probably cost you more.<BR><BR>Hm...eating cheap for me meant going to the market, buying food to make in my apartment, then gagging at my own cooking and abandoning less than half eaten food to run out to a restaurant. So I don't think I can really help you there. Look for excursions that include lunch...that will help a bit. Most reef tours include lunch.<BR><BR>I ate at McDonald's once. Bad experience (but really, what did I expect?)<BR><BR>If the Aussie breakfast is included in your hotel, take advantage of it! My B&B in Sydney did, and I wasn't hungry until afternoon.<BR><BR>Sorry I can't be of more help here. I ate my way through Australia, but for the life of me, I can't remember much of it! (maybe I was in food coma most of the time). I think you'll find food in Oz reasonable. Most nights, when I ate like a normal person, I spent around 20 USD at a decent restaurant.<BR><BR>Do try to get up to Port Douglas for a visit!

Hi, Jlynn!<BR>The best way to eat cheaply and well in Sydney (and, I expect, the other cities you are visiting also) is to do what the locals do... and that is to visit one of the district clubs. There are plenty of these, though most are in suburban areas and may require a train or a bus ride... however, every large suburban centre has at least one. The clubs are called RSL Clubs, Leagues Clubs, and Workers' Clubs. Once you sign in (free) as a temporary member (no problem there if you mention that you are from out of town) you can use the facilities, including several dining rooms and a bistro. You can eat as much as you want from the buffet tables, so you will only need one full meal a day. The cost is usually around $11.50 per person, and add another three or four dollars for drinks.<BR>To eat even cheaper than this (but not better) visit the (usually) basement eateries under the large shopping centres, such as Grace Bros or the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney, and every suburban shopping complex. These cater mainly to the lunch crowd, so if you go there after about 4 p.m. when they are starting to worry about the left-over food, you will see the signs start to go up... two for one, sometimes, or your choice for about $4. <BR> With the budget you mentioned, you won't need to think cheaper than this, but in case anybody else reading this wants even less-expensive alternatives, here are a couple more. In several locations in Sydney, and all over the suburban shopping complexes, are supermarkets with hot-food takeaways, such as Coles Express or Woolworths. Towards the end of the day anything unsold which is short-dated...pies, drinks, cakes, bread, packaged salads, sandwiches, fruit ... is sold at a very cheap rate, sometimes as low as 50c per item. Of course, you will have to carry the food back to your room and eat it there, but you can have quite a varied feast for $3. Chinatown in Sydney has two basement eateries, and in at least one of those you can go around 7 p.m. and fill your plate as high as you like for $6. So, as long as you are prepared to do a bit of ferreting around, you can eat very cheaply in Sydney.

i cant believe i did not find this site before. I am going to australia in Aug.my current plans are 2 days in mel to do the great ocean road, penguin parade and the 1/2 day tour then fly to alice springs and drive down to ayers rock, fly out of ayers rock the next day. ( any suggestion on how to save some money the rooms are so expensive). fly to cairns and stay 4 days there do the GBR, karunda train/cable, daintree rest then fly to brisbane and do the whale watching from Hervey Bay. fly to sydney for 4 days to do the city, blue mountains, bridge climb and the zoo. any other suggestions? i am least ready for the ayers rock area.

Hi, Rad!<BR>You were asking how to save money on hotel rooms at Ayer's Rock, but, alas, I think that true budget accommodation in this area does not exist. I have heard that the YHA hostel at Yulara ("Outback Pioneer Lodge") is reasonable, so, if you are not already "locked in" to a rate elsewhere, you might call them on (08) 8957 7888 or 1300 139 889, fax (08) 8957 7615. This hostel is about 20 km from the Rock itself, so you will probably have to pay for the bus ride as well. Still, there may be some saving for you. It's much easier to find budget accommodation in the major cities... at the Rock, ALL the accommodation is geared to the wealthy tourist. Good luck!

thanks, youre right the only hotels in the area are all managed by "voyages" the only cheap rooms are in the hostel. not very family friendly is it.

Jlynn, we used to live in Melbourne. If you like shopping(not department stores type), drinking coffee or eating, great restaurants, lots of Italian restaurants on Chapel Street, Sth Yarra. We used to live near there actually, love the area, sit on the street and have coffee and desert or dinner and people watching! Just catch the tram everywhere, get the 3 hr ticket for zone 1 only, can be used on trams, buses and trains. Lygon Street is Little Italy, lots of excellent Italian restaurants. Port Douglas and Cairns were OK, Cairns being more lively than Port Douglas. I noticed you didn't mention the Penquin parade on Philip island, plenty of tour buses depart from the city, you can book once you get there also. But do NOT miss the penquin parade, at night thousands of fairy penquins would go on the beach to go back to their homes. They were so adorable! You can also go to a koala santuary. But the penquin parade is part of what they do every night, nothing is set up. In Sydney, make sure you sit and have coffee in the old Queen Victoria building, which is now being converted into shops, gorgeous and romantic place. Love the Botanical gardens in both Sydney and Melbourne also. Blue Mountains? Hmm...it was nice but since you only have 2 days in Sydney, I would skip it and do something else. Yes, must go on a harbor cruise, we did the dinner cruise with live opera singers, it was fantastic! With the US dollars, things are so cheap in Australia. The Great Ocean road is great! Do that instead of the Yarra Valley wine tour, especially if you've been to Nappa valley in San Francisco area. I say, wander around, use the buses, trams and monorails (Sydney) as much as possible. I love trams and monorails, great views of the city! You can the monorail from Circular Quay area to Sydney harbour, very limited places that it will go but it was great. In Melbourne, just catch the trams to Chapel Street South Yarra, ask any Aussies on the street and they'll tell you, Australians are very friendly. Trams run till midnight, buses also I think (especially around the city(downtown area)). Don't worry about getting lost, Melbourne is pretty safe. Some parts of Sydney is not that safe, but compare to some parts of America, it's not too bad. Have a nice trip!

Thank you Lisa for the information! I've considered skipping the Blue Mountains, and actually going to Hunter Valley wines instead. Great info!!

Hi Rad<BR><BR>Your trip sounds just like mine! I'm planning to go to all of those places in December next year. How long is your trip and how long have you allowed for each place.<BR><BR>I'm so excited for you!

I just got back from a trip for 3 weeks in Australia, 2 days ago. We did so many things I can't begin to elaborate. But the one thing that stands out in my mind was a tour we took in the Blue Mountains: Cox's River Escapes with Ted Turner. FANTASTIC day - he took us all over, through rivers, bushwalking and he had a wonderful picnic prepared. Also, in Cairns we wanted to go on the reef but not with 300 people on the Quicksilver. We found a catamaran - the "Synergy" in Pt. Douglas. It took a max of 12 people, wonderful ride, food and snorkeling/diving with wetsuits provided. It was really special. Another suggestion - the Taranga Zoo in Sydney has a "Gold Pass" tour where you can go one on one with a zoo guide and bypass lines and go behind the scenes- plus hold animals others don't get to see. Worth the fee extra $. Have a wonderful trip!

Jlynn<BR>If there is any way you can get from Cairns to Port Douglas for a day, do so. Once there (you'll have to book ahead), go on David Armbrust's Natural History Safari. His website is anhs.com.au. I believe I've seen a post from Mina and she can attest that it is a fantastic tour. Personal - never more than 4 people on the tour and David actually leads the tours himself (the all day tour includes a great lunch in a beautiful setting). You can do either half day rainforest tour on his personal property with his animal friends or all day tour by adding the "outback." The most gratifying for me was the rainforest tour. Give his website a look-see and if Mina sees this post, i'm sure she'll encourage you also.

Jlynn<BR>A good place to eat in Cairns is at Charlies at the Acacia Hotel on the Esplanade - it's within walking distance of most hotels. They have a good all-you-can-eat buffet (including seafood) in a very pleasant atmosphere for about $20 Aust. per head.<BR>Ask at your hotel for the nearest clubs and pubs, and if they have any specials on. You can usually get a reasonable meal at a reasonable price.<BR>In Melbourne, wander along Southbank - lots of good restaurants plus a food court where you can get pizza, fish and chips, salads etc. You could also try one of the Chinese restaurants in Little Bourke Street at lunchtime for a yum cha lunch - it usually costs us about $30 Aust. for two people. Dragon Boat is one recommendation.<BR>Queen Victoria Market is great for food, souvenirs, clothes etc. The craft market on the Esplanade at St Kilda is good on Sundays - great people watching, plus walk on a bit further to Acland Street for incredible cake shops.<BR>Have fun!

Hi again Dorothy...<BR><BR>Yes, Jill is right, I have taken David's Tour, and I enjoyed it very much (I read testimonials on his website, including Jill's, as well as other positive reviews on this site and felt confident his tour would be the one for me).<BR><BR>If you're interested in taking the tour, and have questions let us know. Many have taken it. Most reviews have been good. It's not for everyone. For some reason, when the word "safari" is mentioned, people seem to think you'll be racing through the outback in a 4X4 looking at a herd of wild animals. This tour is very slow paced. If you love animals and nature, you'll probably like David's tour.<BR><BR>To give you an idea of how passionate he is about trees/animals/nature, he only advertises electronically and by word of mouth. He hates the idea of creating slick annual brochures where tons of paper gets thrown out at the end of the year.<BR><BR>He's quite an interesting person, I assure you.