Cairns or Perth
 

I am in the preliminary planning stages of a 18 day trip December 2006 and would appreciate some input regarding destinations in Aussie. I'm having a difficult time deciding where to go and do not want to be constantly on the go realizing that Aussie is a vast country. We are a family of 4 - including 2 teenagers.

But I believe I have narrowed it down to Sydney, Cairns (Port Douglas) and Adelaide or Sydney, Adelaide and Perth (not in any particular order - but if you have suggestions regarding order - that would be very much appreciated). We are visiting Adelaide as we have family there.

Any suggestions are appreciated. I feel paralyzed in making a decision as there is just so much to see and we do not have a lot of time. Thanks.

Cairns.

Most definitely ditto to Cairns!

with teenagers definitely Port Douglas Cairns

Debby, I'm going to be different and suggest you visit Perth. There are a lot of things to do there other than beach oriented activities sich as touring the wine regions, visits to animal parks, holidaying on a car free islnd (Rottnest), visiting the maritime museum and old port area of Fremantle, horseback riding through lovely bushland etc etc. The weather in Decemenber is usually very nice. Perth has a wide range of acommodation choices and it might be more economical than Cairns. It very much depends on what your interests are and if you are likely to ever see the GBR and rainforest marvels around the Cairns area ever again. IMO that needs a good chunk of time, while Perth is perfect for a shorter, cheaper vacation.
Good luck.

I've been to both Port Douglas and Perth and while I agree with PatfromLA that Perth is a great city to visit, it's a long way, even from Adelaide. If I only had 18 days, I would try to limit my travel time. So, for that reason and for the fact that PD and the GBR and rainforest are fabulous destinations, I would vote for PD.

I was in Perth last Christmas and the weather was beautiful but a little windy. Cairns is really not so great during Australia's summer.

Perth is best from Nov. - April while Cairns is best from April to September.

BTW, where do you live? It could be cheaper to fly to Perth VIA London on BA and Qantas.

I would say Perth - I agree with patfromLA and wally34949 - the weather is a lot better in Perth in December than in Cairns/Port Douglas which is the hot, humid and "wet" season. It is also a great distance from Adelaide to Cairns. I live in the tropical north and have relatives in Adelaide, so am familiar with the travel time plus I was in Perth at the beginning of last year and it was a magical time of year. Dont forget there is also the Margaret River wine district only a short drive from Perth and that is most definitely worth a visit - the beaches and surfing (for the teenagers) are spectacular and the popular sport of kite surfing is big over there.

Happy travels...

I loved both cities. However I really fell in love with Western Australia . you really get a sense of the vastness of the country once you get away from Perth. Perth by the way is fabulous!
go to perth a venture into the outback...fantastic!

I would vote for Cairns/PD. Western Australia is not a place to visit the outback in summer. The record Temperature is on 53Celcius about 128F in the northern areas of the outback and Perth can get to 46C at that time too. W.A is much better in Spring time with the wild flowers as it usually does not rain from about November to March.