Adelaide vs Melboune
 

If one had to choose to spend more days at Adelaide or Melbourne, which would it be and why?

We are going to Australia for two weeks and are flying into Sydney but out of Melbourne. We plan to get to the Blue Mountains and do the Sydney downtown scene for sure. We want to fly up to Cairns for 2-3 days so we can get to the GBR and then fly to Adelaide for sure so we can do Barossa Valley, Kangaroo Island and drive up the Flinders Ranges. Probably end up driving from Adelaide to Melbourne by way of GOR.

With this plan we would basically have maybe 1 day in Melbourne.

Any suggestions?

bdehning, I'm feeling a little worn out just reading your post - it's a bit like visiting the US and flying into NYC, checking out Manhattan (with a side trip to the Hamptons), then off to San Francisco for 2-3 days, then to Denver for a drive down to Arizona and back, then departing from Miami. If you're happy with that pace that's fine, but have you actually plotted it into an itinerary? I guess it's the Flinders Ranges bit that most bothers me - just getting from Adelaide to the southern end of the ranges is a long day's drive, and I can't see the trip being worth it if you devote less than 3, preferably 4, days to it. Bear in mind too that every time you get on a plane you're wiping out the best part of a day except perhaps for ADL-MEL, which is only an hour or so - make that half a day. Personally I'd cut Melbourne, but you may not have that option. So - how does that itinerary look?

Melbourne is one of the great cities in Australia, so to come all this way and not spend at least two nights in Melbourne would be unfortunate. The city has the nations best Art Galleries, the best restaurants, the best Shopping and is the Sports capital of the country. The Phillip Island Penguin Parade the Healsville Sancturary with the Platypus exhibit and the Yarra Valley are all acessed from Melbourne.
I agree with the above poster that a trip to the Flinders Ranges would be very time consuming. OK it is the fringe of the Outback, but think about Ayres Rock and the Alice. That's the real Outback and quite unique.

Thank you Neil_oz and DownUnder for your comments. They really do help. I appreciated your thoughts as it will help us narrow down those things we really want to see instead of trying to accomplish too much. There is just so much to choose from when visiting Australia. I guess that is why folks make return trips!

Yes that is the best approach bdehning. Australia is a vast country, the distances between most attractions are huge with flying being the best method of transport, except for trips like the GOR. Sydney is always a must, Cairns and the GBR are a great experience,The Barossa is certainly worth a visit, Kangaroo Island is fascinating for the native flora and fauna and the GOR drive especially from the 12 Apostles to Melbourne is probably one of the most scenic in the world.
See all that in two weeks and it will whet your appetite for all the other attractions Australia has to offer on hopefully many more visits.

of all places in australia i reccommend u visit melbourne!
its a beautiful city and if you didnt already know its voted the best city to live in the whole world!!
there is never a lack of activities in melbourne, i doesnt matter what u enjoy whether its art, beach, sport, scenic views etc. melbourne has it!
it would be a real shame to not visit melbourne while you're in australia!!
byebye

Jeez, if Melbourne is the best city in the world to live it doesn't say much about any others. Sorry.
Seriously, bhedining, its very hard to begin to answer your question, particularly when you don't say when you'll be here.

With only 2-3 days in Cairns and FNQ, and if you're only reason is GBR, I wouldn't bother coming. Barrier Reef trips are just about entirely dependent on good weather, you could sit around in Cairns or Port Douglas for at least a week before you find a good reef day, especially in winter month. Sometimes longer. A sa

We are going 3/25/07 - 4/10/07 if that helps. The main reason for Cairns is GBR but we will now do the Kuranda Train and Skyway for a day. We also decided on less days in Sydney so more time for Melbourne and Adelaide area.

Two weeks? And you are cutting your time in Sydney to spend more time in Adelaide AND Melbourne?

With respect it should be Adelaide OR Melbourne if you only have two weeks. The flights are long. You will lose a day every time you move. Do yourselves a favour - spend 5 days in Sydney and surrounds (go up to the Hunter if wineries are your thing); 3/4 in Cairns - go to the reef more than once - it is amazing and you may never be there again. Then by all means fly to ADL, see the Barossa and KI and fly back to Sydney and home.

Or fly to ADL and next day set out on the GOR - take 3 days to enjoy it - maybe visit the Yarra for wineries if that is something you must do. And fly home.

The joy of travelling anywhere is have time to just waste it.