father and son in Oz
 

My college son is in Sydney for six months and I plan to visit this October. Any thoughts an 10 days of travel excluding Sydney and the Barrier Reef, which we saw last year with the aid opf this web site. Thinking about Melbourne, coastal drive, Tasmania, outback???

drb, Rent a car from Sydney, drive down the Hume Highway to the Mittagong turnoff, go through Mittagong, Bowral (Southern Highlands of NSW), then down to Kangaroo Valley (lunch in the Friendly Inn), then up & out of the valley via Camberwarra Mountain, then down to Kiama on the coast, then to Gerroa. The next day drive down the coastal highway via Batemans Bay, Narooma, Bermagui, Merimbula, Bega (cheeses), to Eden (stay the night). From Eden stay on the coast road, to go across the Victorian border, towards Melbourne (enroute you could visit Wilsons Promontory or Phillip Island (penguins).
After Melbourne - drive down to Sorrrento way, and catch the vehicular ferry across to Queenscliff (very scenic), then drive onto the Great OCean Road, as far as Port Fairy (stay the night in the old colonial B&B which has a fabulous restaurant). From Port Fairy, why not drive inland to The Grampians, then later to Eucha (Steam paddlers), Later follow the Murray Valley Highway to Albury (stay one night), then from Albury drive north on the Olympic Highway to Wagga Wagga, Cootamundra, Young (cherries), Young and Cowra (great wineries), then Bathurst and back through the Blue Mountains to Sydney.
I am sure you would enjoy this trip, and it can be done at a leisurely pace in 10 days. Also October would be great time of the year to do this drive.
Regards Leigh

Hello Drb,

I warmly endorse Tropo's suggested itinerary.

Another idea is to spend the entire 10 days in Tasmania.

Still another idea is to fly to Perth and to see some of Western Ausralia, as it too has much to offer, and the weather is likely to be very pleasant in October.

But I think it would be good to pick just one of these ideas and stick with it.

If Tasmania appeals to you, you might consider checking out the itinerary suggested by travel agent Melodie Kennedy. Her website is

http://www.kennedykruises.com/

If you follow the link to "Weekly Travel Specials" and scroll down the page, you'll find something called "SELF-DRIVE TASMANIA TOUR."

It's a 15 day itinerary. Days 1 through 5 involve flying from the USA to Sydney and exploring Sydney. Days 6 through 15 involve flying from Sydney to Hobart, exploring Tasmania, and flying home. So the Tasmania portion of the itinerary would fit your timeframe very nicely.

The Tasmania page of Melodie's website has a map of the island, along with photos and descriptions of things to see and do.

But I must say that Tropo's itinerary is tempting too. One of the beauties of it is that it would take you to the southern coast of New South Wales, which seems to be less well known amongst foreign visitors, but is a gem in my opinion.

Sorry if this has broadened rather than narrowed your ideas of what to do. A trip rarely seems to satisfy my desire to see a country. It just whets my appetite to see other aspects of the country the next time.

Would be nice take costal drive to Melbourne then onto the Great Ocean Road. I love the South Coast.

We are going down in October to Narooma (mentioned in Troppo's list)for a boat tour to Montague Island. There is Australian fur seal and fairly penguin colonies living on the Island that is managed by National Parks and Wildlife. There may also be whale watching in October. Never guarantee on that one.

Also in that area we are thinking of taking a 4wd drive tour with the local aboriginals from Umbarra Cultural centre.

Other highlights Troppo has not mentioned on a southern trip are the Buddist temple just south of Sydney, Coolangatta winery, Wyman Beach (apparently whitest sand in the world) seems a few of those claims though! 90 mile beach in Victoria, the list is endless.

I love the south coast of NSW!

Hi Drb,

it really does matter on what your interest are....what's appealing for one person might not be so for the next. Granted, all these itineraries sound great, but when I'm "qualifying" a client and asking pointed questions about what they like to see & do, and what they did on their last vacation, a picture emerges of where they should visit. (of course, maybe you're like most of us, and EVERYTHING appeals to you....sigh..it's a curse!) :)

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

Jane47 is right, the south coast of NSW is very scenic. I did forget to mention Hyams Beach at Jervis Bay, have breakfast at the Hyams Beach Cafe. Also visit Green Patch in the Jervis Bay National Park if you want Rainbow Lorrikets landing all over your head, looking for a feed.
The reason I mentioned the Sth HIghlands, and Kangaroo Valley & Camberrawara Mtn, is that it will give you "variety" prior to coming out on the coast at Kiama.
I think you would enjoy the whole journey I listed, as it gives so much variety throughout, eg. Great Ocean Road...so scenic. Port Fairy is a lovely place, Mt.Eccles with the volcano rim & lava tube, The grampians (visit the Jaws), also wonderful wines in that area, the boat trip over from Sorrento to Queenscliff is most pleasant, Eucha with the paddlesteamers, eg. Movie "Where all Rivers Run", and the beautiful river gums growing in the Murray River.
When I think about this driving route, It makes me want to fly down & do it again.