Sorry Justine, and John thanks for picking that up, I did mean the Marriott at the Quay not College St.

30 Pitt Street Sydney,
2000 New South Wales Australia
Phone: 61 2-92597000 Fax: 61 2-92511122

fsg

unfortunately I have already booked it in Sydney at ibis hotel in darling harbour in sydney

i have also looked at the marriott and looks very nice as well but we have it a very good deal at the ibis and

we were told the hotel is very close to every thing with views over the harbour.

we are looking at two days in sydney as well as two days in the hunter valley

we are yet to book the valley can some one recommend to us a nice place with some thing for teenage children.

after the hunter valley we are thinking maybe the gold coast or alice springs before we go to great barrie
reef.

can some one tell me which one is better or should we really do both places.

we must change flights very quickly to go to alice springs

thank you every body for all your help my husband does not speak english so well as me so this web site is
very big help to us.


justine

Hi Justine, Try this for some luxury while in the Hunter ,

THE VINEYARDS ESTATE AT POKOLBIN
555 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley NSW 2320

Telephone (02) 6574 7229
Facsimile (02) 6574 7276
Email [email protected]

Ask your travel agent to check into qantas flight QF 728 which departs Sydney at 10.45 arrives Ayres Rock 13.40.

That gives you a full afternoon and morning the next day to watch the sunset and sun rise at the rock if you wish.

The next day you could take QF 988 which departs Ayres Rock at 12.20 arrives Cairns at 15.15.

The Outback Pioneer Hotel is a reasonably priced family hotel.
Ph: +61 2 9339 1030 The hotel is located just a few minutes from the airport.

One night is plenty if you just want to see and experience Ayres Rock or Uluru as we call it today.

You will have to stay a little longer to see Kings Canyon etc.

You might be better to try to do the Gold Coast on your way back to Sydney from Cairns if you are going that way.

fsg

Hi Slee, you were so close Slee.

If you want to see one of Australia's most beautiful farm stays check out www.kangaroobie.com

No matter what your budget, rich or poor, young or old you will fall in love with kangaroobie.

Thanks for having a go at it slee.

Cheers ffej

Justine, When you do the reef with your family try to choose a smaller operator.

The big boat we went on was full of people, I think at least 300 or so.

The next day we went to a sand cay which was covered with birds and their droppings.

There are a thousand tours to choose from in the Cairns Port Douglas area.
Wish we had paid a little extra and went further away where there were not so many people.

Next time.

us.

hello uand me yes we have already a smaller group to to go view the great barrier reef. we have booked the lizard island day tour.

how many days did you stay in queensland and where did you stay
we think maybe we stay 3 days and then spend some days going to darwin before returning to sydney.

fivestargirl have you some nice places in cairns for us did you also go to darwin and could you tell us if it is worht it for darwin.

thankyou justine

hi uand me - Michaelmas Cay is a sanctuary and breeding ground for numerous seabirds which find it safe enough to nest in their thousands. It's a renowned area for birdwatchers from all over the world. I assume you went with Ocean Spirit - the presence of the birds is plainly shown in their brochure. The nesting birds are roped off from the public for the birds' protection but that doesn't stop a few of them from flying overhead and dropping the odd deposit.

There are hardly "thousands of reef trips from Cairns and PD" - a few dozen at most. You don't need to go further away to find less people - just use a smaller operator. Ecstasea out of Cairns never takes more than 20 people, maximum.

Hello ffej: I actually happened to randomly e-mail kangaroobie. i figured that it was in princetown. there seem to be many b&b's to choose from online.

it was fun figuring it out. thanks for the challenge! the info. on fodors is amazing! i've used it to plan our 6 week trip to Australia & New Zealand.

Justine: regarding a place to stay in Cairns...I have booked 4 nights at a charming and very well reviewed B&B called Lilybank B&B @ the following website:

www.lilybank.com.au

in addition, Pat has been very helpful in providing information, organizing and booking our tours from Cairns.
Kudos to Pat!

good luck!

Slee

Justine, Sorry I have not had time to answer you till now.

Yes Darwin is well worth it.

Darwin is close to Litchfield national park which is very good, Arnhemland which is mind blowing especially the 9 thousand year old aboriginal rock art which is every where.

Darwin is not that far form the Kimberlrys which are one of the very best destinations in the country.

Kakadu national park is a three hour drive or a 30 minute flight from Darwin.

Thursday night is big in Darwin with the best markets in Australia showing off some of Australia's most unique cultres from places like Timor, The Gulf of Carpentaria, Arnhemland etc.

The natural history museum is fabulous.

The fishing is very exciting.

Yep there's Crocs, big ones,but that's Darwin.

Yes Justine, Darwin is worth it.

You need a bare minimum of a week in the Northern Territory alone.

fsg