Hello,<BR>We will be traveling to OZ in July/August, and we have 4 weeks to spend there. We will be going to Sydney, the Red Centre, and Port Douglas/GBR. We are trying to decide if we should spend the rest of the time in the Brisbane area or if we should go to the Top End.<BR><BR>Any opinions?<BR><BR>Thanks so much for any help offered.<BR><BR>Happy New Year,<BR>Keri

Hi, Keri!<BR>I'd opt for Darwin, just for the contrast. If you are spending time in Sydney and northern Queensland, I don't think, really, that Brisbane would give you anything that you haven't already sampled (nice as it is at that time of year). Darwin, however, might be like going to Asia!

Alan,<BR>Thanks for the quick response! We were thinking the same thing about the Top End being something &quot;different&quot;! Do you have any suggestions for an itinerary for a week in the Outback (Center and Top End)? We were thinking about 6 days in Sydney and environs, a week between Red Centre and Top End, and then the rest of the time in QLD (Rainforest, Island, Port Douglas, etc).<BR><BR>Any thoughts?

I second Darwin and the top end. If you go then make sure that you take a safari camping trek to Kakadu and the other attractions which is the best way to get a feel for the place because those guys go off the beaten track into country that only the locals know and buses and ordinary cars don't get to. I think a couple of days in the centre would be fine and then fly to Darwin and spend the rest of your allocated time in and around Kakadu and Darwin.<BR>By the way on another post I mentioned going to Mindel Beach Markets and was unsure which night it was held - its on a Thursday night and I am told now there are about 100 stalls at the markets so the food sampling would be wonderful. You will be there in the dry and so could go. <BR>Have fun<BR>Liz<BR>

Definitely opt for Darwin - it's so different from the other capital cities in Australia and the weather will be great at that time of year. Have a couple of nights in Darwin and then hire a car to visit Kakadu and Litchfield parks. We visited this area last July and found three nights at Kakadu and two nights in the Litchfield area gave us sufficient time to see most of the sights. We went on the Alligator River cruise and the Yellow Waters cruise - both were good. You can arrange other tours through your motel.<BR>Mindil Beach market is on Thursday and Sunday evenings. The range of food is incredible - we ate our way from start to finish. Try not to drive there as car parking is very difficult. If Territory Day is on during your stay, go to Mindil Beach for the market plus great fireworks display. If you are shopping for food, another great market is the Parap market on Saturday mornings.<BR>A good place to visit is the Territory Wildlife Park, plus visit Berry Springs to swim in the hot springs. The museum in Darwin is excellent - make sure you see the Cyclone Tracy exhibit. <BR>Hope you have a great holiday.