G'day mates,<BR>Just in the preliminary planning stages of a two week trip to Australia. At this point I am a bit overwhelmed with our options and would love to hear any suggestions from the experts as to must see/do's to help us get started. Definitely want the reef experience if that's any help. Thanks as always for any advice. Cheers!

I spent three weeks in Oz in October and had an amazing time (enough to consider moving to Sydney at the end of the year). <BR><BR>In you don't have accomodation(s) yet in Sydney, try the Bed &amp; Breakfast Sydney Harbour (located next to the ANA Hotel). It's a mere five minute walk to the Opera House and is VERY charming. Plus, there's a taxi stand (for the ANA) next door. Did I mention it's inexpensive ($100 US per night), the breakfast is delicious, and the owners are charming? <BR><BR>I spent another week in Tasmania. If you have the time, GO! It's one of the few remaining UNSPOILED places in the world. Very green and lush. If you're an active person, try finding a hiking tour. I spent three days hiking and, despite the chilly temperature and rain, had a blast. <BR><BR>I also spent a week in the Reef, including two nights on Lizard Island. Although it's expensive, it was the absolute HIGHLIGHT of my trip. To the best of my understanding, it's the only inhabited island that is physically IN the Reef. Therefore, I only had to slip on my fins, swim about 25 yards, and I was IN the Reef. Amazing! The food was comparable to that of many top New York restaurants. They will pack you a picnic basket with anything you could want and place it wherever you'd like, whenever you'd like. You can also reserve a small boat to take yourself to one of the uninhabited islands nearby (to eat your lunch). If you can afford it, GO! <BR><BR>Enjoy your trip! Australia is an amazing place and the people are very friendly.

Travelgrl,<BR><BR>Are you an outdoorsy/adventurous person or more of a city person? That will help people give you some better advice.<BR><BR>Amy

Hi Travelgrl,<BR><BR>You might likr to give us some more clues like when you intend to visit cause there are places here that are best visited in our winter months like the Ayres Rock region and some that are best visited in the summer months.<BR><BR>Cheers<BR><BR>Paul_S

Just came back from 22 day tour of Oz &amp; Nz. Our highlights were: Melbourne-Penguin Parade and Vintage Colonial Tramcar for lunch ( food excellent.)Great Barrier Reef- great time, lots of coral, not many fish on scheduled boat tour. Cairnes- Kuranda Scenic RR train ride to and tram/gondola ride back was great, scenery just awesome. Sydney- Koala Park was just great, Harbour Cruise Dinner was great, very good food also. Tours of city and harbors were very nice. In process of writing about trip. If we can help e-mail us [email protected]

hi folks,<BR><BR>Thanks for the awesome info. so far. I should have mentioned that we are planning to visit sometime in Sept/Oct and we tend to be more on the adventurous side but enjoy kicking back too. Like to explore but don't want to be on the move everyday to a new location. So, any more suggestions with that in mind would be greatly appreciated!

Oops, forgot to ask where the best place to base ourselves might be to explore the reef. We only snorkel and from what I understand, even if based on one of the islands, you have to take a boat to the reef anyway. Are we just as well off on the mainland? Feedback on where folks have stayed would be appreciated!

ttt