Hi ...

I am planning to go to Australia this year - depart UK 7 Dec 07, arrive HK 8 Dec 07, arrive Cairns 11 Dec07, depart for Ayers rock 18 Dec 07, depart for Melbourne 20 Dec - Stay with friends from 24 -29 Dec, depart for Sydney 29 Dec 07, depart for HK 4 Jan 08.

Questions:
1. I plan on staying in Port Douglas for 7 nights. What accommodation do people recommend? My budget is £400-£800.
2. What about visiting the GBR - Synergy II are meant to be good - views?
3. At Ayers Rock, what events should I do - such as Silence o Night dinner?
4. I have 4 nights once I land in Melbourne - assum do Ocean Road, but else - is it worth basing myself at Port Fairy for a couple of night?
5. What do people recommend for Sydney - I have booked apartment - can I do Blue Mountains in a day?
6. Any other good tips for Oz?

I have booked International flights, but not internal flights.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Mark

Anyone got any suggestions?
Thanks

Mark

Well I would be taking Ayers Rock out of my travel plans if I were you - middle of summer in the desert is not the best place to be and flies will drive you insane then.
If you can translate your budget into Australian $ it may help us to give you some idea of prices but take a look at www.wotif.com.au for last minute prices at present. I don't know what you mean by views and Synergy actually.
If December this year is as bad a December just gone in Victoria ( which still looks like the middle of a desert) the GOR may not be a great idea. There are enough things to do without moving out of Melbourne anyway so I long drive like that would not be necessary.
B.M can be done in one day but you need more in my opinion as you cannot do much in one day.
I think a total rethink of some of your trip may be in order really taking out the Centre for starters.

I have been to Ayres Rock in January and although it is hot it is all part of the experience. Try the climb early in the morning if you can. A BBQ watching the sunset or the dinner you have in mind would be sensational.
I would suggest you base yourself in Melbourne for the 4 days and take day trips to any of these:
1. Great Ocean Road
2. The Grampians
3. Phillip Island and the Penguin Parade
4. Yarra Valley and Healsville Sanctuary
Melbourne also has a lot to offer if you are not interested in the above.
The Blue Mountains is easy to do in a day from Sydney either by train or tour.

I should add that there are restrictions to climbing Ayres Rock. Among the several is that I think it is closed if the day temp. is likely to hit 36celsius.If that is the case the walk around the Rock is worth doing as the climb can be dangerous.

Just a note for your future searching it is The Sounds of Silence Dinner.

At Uluru (Ayers Rock) walk around the rock, there's a pamphlett from the visitors centre that explains the signficance of different parts of the rock. It's worth noting that the Anangu (the Aboriginal owners of the site) request that you don't climb the rock. There are also great walks at Kata Tjuta (the Olgas).

In Sydney it is possible to have a day trip to the Blue Mountains. There are lots of short walks that would give you some sense of the terrain, and you could easily visit a couple of towns say Katoomba, and Leura.