Spence

Angela, <BR> The latter half of December is a great time of year in Sydney. It usually is great beach weather about then, getting up to the 90's. We went to Port Douglas in October and had great weather, but seem to recall that we were warned not to go much later due to rain season. You should check that out since I'm not positive. We stayed at the Radisson Reaf Resort for 3 nights for about AU$500. I know there are backpacker places and other hotels, but am not familiar enough with them to recommend any. I had a friend who enjoyed taking a train all the way up and back down the coast, you may check that out. We were able to go scuba diving without any prior experience. There are a lot of packages up there from AU$90 on up. They usually include a day out at the reef and lunch. Diving is extra. We paid $60 each for the first dive and I think $20 each for additional dives. If you do that I recommend taking a pre-lim familiarization session offered by some resorts/hotels. They acquaint you with the diving equipment in a pool for about 30 minutes. It helps when you get out to the reef to do the real thing in the ocean. <BR> <BR>Spence

Spence

Jen, <BR> <BR>Sydney restaraunts - After living there for 2+ years, I still am not sure what is true Australian food. You can get meatpies anywhere over there. Sydney is especially international so you can enjoy any taste. If you like fish, there is world-class fish there. I don't eat fish, though, so can't relate. Beppi's has excellent Italian food and great atmosphere. For a view, the Pier or the Catalina (about AU$160 dinner for two + bottle of wine) are great and sit on the water in Rose Bay. The Catalina has a sea plane dock just outside if you want take in a ride. The Hotel Intercontinental has a great view in their restaraunt on the (I think) 30th floor,...called "The 30th Floor." (or something like that) These are all a bit pricey but excellent food and service. There is a very good steak place (can't remember the name) just behind the Wentworth Hotel. You can actually get a kangaroo steak there. For some cheaper eats, head to Balmain (our old digs) for a nice selection of different restaraunts on Darling Street. You can take a ferry or cab. Good pubs over there too. The Exchange Hotel (a pub) is nice (Balmain). <BR> <BR>Port Douglas - We stayed either at the resort, on the beach, or on a boat on the reef, so I don't know what else is up there to see. You'll have to check with some travel services. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps a little, Spence

Laurel

<BR>Hi Spence, what's the weather like this time of year in Melbourne...I'll be spending a week there in April. Also, how long does it take to get home...I live in Connecticut. <BR>Thanks, Laurel

Joanna

Angela/Spence, <BR> <BR>The train Cairns/Sydney (or vice versa) is VERY expensive. There was a doco on TV lately about it - it's the Aussie version of the Orient Express with prices to match. Great if you can afford it though. <BR> <BR>The steak restaurant behind the Wentworth (in Bligh St.) is Johnnie Walker's Angus Restaurant. Another great steakhouse is Kingsleys, which is in an historic building in a lane off King Street (central Sydney).

Jeanette

Spence- We are off to Port Douglas for 1 week and then Melbourne for a week. Our son is 8. What are your top 3 trips/things to do in each place and your top 3 restaurants? Thanks! J

Damian

Hi! Being originally from Perth, I may be biased BUT, I have to disagree with Spence when he says to place it towards the bottom of must sees. Having seen nearly all the capital cities in Australia, Perth is in my mind the most beautiful, clean and friendliest of the lot. It is a very modern city situated about five miles inland from the Indian Ocean, on the very picturesque Swan River. It only has a population of 1.5 million but is a rather sprawling city. It has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and has the best climate in Australia. Just 20 miles south of Perth is the port city of Fremantle. It was here that the 1987 Americas Cup was held. Fremantle was a bit of a dump not too far back but has been invigorated and is well worth the visit. Also only a few hours drive south of Perth is the beautiful South-West region, where you will find some incredible coastline, from gorgeous sandy beaches to rugged, rocky cliffs. This area is famous for its surf, the town of Margaret River attracts surfers from all around the world to try out its mammoth waves. Also in this area are some of the best winerys in the country, if not the world. And if you want to go even further south, the town of Albany is well worth seeing. Its one of the oldest towns in Australia, has a lot of history and there is some pretty spectacular coastline around here as well. So, as I said, being from Perth, I am obviously biased but I have to say, if one is travelling to Australia and has the time to see Perth and parts of Western Australia, it would be well worth the trip. We Sandgropers (West Australians) are a very parochial lot but are known for our friendliness so please, give Perth a try. I don't think you'll be dissapointed.