Best Australia Vacation Planning?
 

Hi, my wife and I are going to Australia but wanted to know if someone could give us a good travel Itenerary(sp?)? <BR><BR>We really want to go to the Great Barrier Reef but also visit Sydney and the other sites as well. We have 2 weeks vacation to fill so I hope that gives us enough time to do everything.<BR><BR>Also, does anyone know any vacation packages that include GreatBarrierReef+Syndey+Other Destinations.<BR><BR>Thanks much.

There are a ton of packages, but you are better off booking things on your own through the internet. At least we were! I know United was offering some good deals from the States but a lot depends on the time of year you go. Remember...our summer is there winter! <BR><BR>The best thing to do is go to a travel agency and get some different tour companies itineraries (Contiki, Trafalger). That way you can see how much time they spend in each city and choose places that interest you. Then you can go from there. <BR><BR>

So much depends on when you are visiting Australia and what your interests are. The north of Australia has a wet season from late October to April, the south is cold and usually wet between May and September. The best time to visit the outback is between May and September. So tell us more.

Hi,<BR><BR>Thank you for your replies. We are concentrating going to Sydney and GBR(from Brisbane to Cairns + Islands if possible). Also we plan in coming around June/July.<BR><BR>Thanks again.

Australia is such an easy place to travel that you should be able to do this on your own. We also visited in June. Spent a week near Cairns, one in Surfer's Paradise (near Brisbane) and one in Sydney. we went to Surfers to visit family, with only 2 weeks I would recommend doing half in the Cairns area for all the reef, rainforest and wildlife activities and half in Sydney for all the sightseeing, the bridge climb, daytrips, and shopping. Keep in mind that Sydney may be chilly...it was very cold the third week in June when we were there. The trade off was that it was nice weather up north and fewer tourists everywhere!

I forgot to add that the Frommer's guide book was really the best for Australia (Sorry to our host here!)Other than a few changes to phone numbers and prices, their recomendations and descriptions were very accurate.

Try www.octopustravel.com<BR>It will give you a great insite to most area's of Australia. Even down to the Aussie slang... though I am at a loss to what they say we call Americans...as I have only ever heard the term Yanky...<BR>Boy you sure are hoping to fit alot in over 2 weeks. Good luck

Thank you everyone.<BR><BR>So far here is what I have decided on :<BR><BR>4 days and 5 nights in Sydney. <BR><BR>7 days 8 nights in Cairns, to do the outdoor activites as you good people mentioned!!<BR><BR>Only question I have left is , is 4day/5nights enough stay in Sydney? I have the choice to extend it another 2 days but I am thinking maybe use the other 2 days either back up in Carins or another part of Australia.<BR><BR>Thank you all again!!! YOu are the best and very helpful!!!!

Re time of stay in Sydney: <BR>we stayed 7 days there recently and didn't run out of new things to do or see. Personally, I would have been reluctant to leave after 4/5 days, which is your current plan, and would suggest extending it. There are so many helpful postings on Sydney but you might like to take a look at our report under 'Advice on a 3 wk holiday Sydney-Melbourne'. BTW, we found the Lonely Planet NSW guide helpful but I haven't compared it to others.