The beach south of Sydney with the kangaroos is Pebbly Beach. It's a great place, but about 5 hours drive, and about 10km of dirt road off the highway. Many hire car firms do not permit their cars to go on dirt roads. Another place to see kangaroos, and a multitude of birds, and the occasional koala, is Greenpatch, a bit further south, around Jervis Bay. There is a made road right to the beach there.

I too think 3 days is too much for KI. I saw it in a day trip, and that was probably enough.

Make sure you spend some time in SYdney

Hello there. Just to confirm what everyone is telling you, it's HOT in Uluru. I went there in March in 97 and all I did was fan my face with a pamphlet NON-stop no thanks to the hordes of flies. But do go and you really must visit Kings Canyon. I think it's way prettier.
As for KI, I think your Dad may just enjoy that a bit more. True, South Australia is also quite hot in Dec (it can reach the 40+ celcius mark) but I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed KI. The scenary is breathtaking. Also, KI is the only place in the world, one can walk among the seals in the wild. Have fun!

Hi YesteryearAcres! Do you and your Dad really,really have to do it in December!!?? If you did it in a cooler part of the year both places would be lovely..I've done it. If you can only come then I would stick to the Barrier Reef ( and Sydney if you get a chance).Uluru and the surrounding area is truly magic but the magic will instantly disappear in December when the heat and the flies will be unbearable! Do try and change the time of your visit but if you cant, enjoy your holiday. I can recommend Port Douglas..a good spot to see the reef and lots of other things.