February 2008 trip
 

We're in Noosa, north of Brisbane for 5 nights visiting friends then plan Byron Bay, Sydney, Blue Mountains, Melbourne. Is this too ambitious in 12-14 days. If so, any advice on what to see what to leave out and best way to travel between destinations

Some posters will say you are trying to see too much in a short time. I don't think so as all the places you mention are worth seeing and sometimes you don't know when another opportunity will present itself. Aussies travelling to Europe often see 6 countries in 10 days!! I presume it is 14 days total so flying is the only way to go. So after Noosa spend 2 nights at Byron 3 nights in Sydney ( Blue Mts. could be a day trip) and 2 in Melbourne and you will have had a good taste of downunder. The only other thought is to drop Byron (similar to Noosa) and you will do it easily.

It's enough time and if I were you I'd do a part drive part fly. Hinterland of Noosa and Glass House Mtns are lovely; as is Gold Coast hinterland down to Byron via Murwillumbah and Mt Warning. Depending how long you want to stay in or around Byron (you don't mention what time of year) you'd need to decide whether to drive on to Sydney - about 9 hours straight through with no stops.

There are flights from Ballina and Lismore, both near Byron, however it would be cheaper to fly Brisbane-Sydney: you'd have to backtrack a couple of hours to Brisbane Airport. Day trip to Blue Mtns from Sydney and fly Sydney-Melbourne.

Anyway, just a suggestion, it really boils down to how much time you want to spend where.

Sorry, right in your heading you said February, I missed that when answering. About the hottest month of year but you'll have missed the school holidays, mostly.

Pat has given you some excellent advice, I to would agree with her suggestions. Personally I don't like Byron Bay, nothing like it used to be. However, if you want to see Byron Bay, take the inland road from Sunshine coast down past Mt.Warning as Pat suggested, beautiful country, and well away from the busy Pacific Highway, then I would travel north to Brisbane, detouring off to places like Mooball, Pottsville Beach, then to Gold Coast Airport,drop off the rental car & fly to Sydney, and the same for Sydney to Melbourne (fly)

Agree with Pat too. The distances here travelling are far greater than you would be used to at home. Flying is the only way between the capitals. You may wish you had more time but I think 12 - 14 days shoudl give you a good overview of Aust - east coast at least.