First pass at Itinerary for trip to Australia mid April to mid May 2004
 

Hello to all of you,

After reading entertaining comments and suggestions for the past 2 weeks, I am ready to throw out to you my first pass at our itinerary. Any comments, critiques, suggestions and ribald jokes would be appreciated.( We are planning this early as we hope to fly over on United (if they are still flying) frequent flyer miles and need to book that sooner rather than later.)

Here goes:

April 14: arrive Sydney early AM
In and around Sydney for 4 days

April 18: arrive Hobart early AM( why do so many flights leave at the crack of dawn?)
In Tasmania for 6 days ( suggestions please)

April 24: leave Hobart (at the crack of dawn!) for Airlie Beach; Sail to Whitsundays on Solway Lass for 3 nights.

April 27:return to Airlie Beach in afternoon; pick up rental car and drive 3 or 4 hours up Bruce Highway ( heading toward Daintree). What is Bruce Highway like? Scenic drive; traffic, etc?

April 28: continue up coast to Daintree

Spend 2.5 days exploring the rainforest

May 1: PM fly to Lizard Island ( This is the big "if" so far due to cost. Comments sound overwhelmingly favorable. We hope to win the lottery!

Lizard Island 3 nights

May 4: Back to Cairns; connect to flight to Darwin.

Next 5 days, Litchfield NP: Nitmiluk NP and Kakadu NP

May 10: Another crack of dawn flight. This time to Alice Springs. Drive to Yulara.

May 11&12 Uluru-Kata Tjuta NP

May 13 back to Sydney

May 14 late afternoon catch the big bird home.

So what do you all think. have we timed this OK for weather ( trying to go from Tasmania to Kakadu and N. Queensland on one trip)If this makes sense to folks, I'll come back later w/ specific questions on places. I have a lot of sympathy for europeans trying to see the US, Canada or Australia in one trip.

After running a B&B in Santa Fe NM for 8 years and answering the same questions for 2000 guests, I know this gets old. I appreciate everyones patient input and post trip reporting.

Thanks,

AndrewDavid

G'day AD.
The flights leave early because there is a curfew and they have to get busy so quick I guess. Anyway it does leave you with the whole day.
If you are not going to get your accommodation through Wotif.com then you could always request if they have 'Industry" rates which are generally very good but I don't know if they extend it to International guests - but if they don't ask then don't tell 'em.
I can't fault your schedule actually except the 3 to 4 hours up to the Daintree from Airlie Beach. That would be more like 9 or 10 hours and although you are going through "some" nice parts I really wonder if it is worth the price of a one way vehicle to do that. I would feel it is better to fly and then rent a car for the time you are not on an island and see all around the far north. Then you won't have to pay drop off fees.
Back to Tassie - Its a lovely place and if you do a search on this site you will get lots of interesting suggestions. I can't remember what time of year you are coming so that effects things a bit.
I am off today for a 3 week holiday so if you are around with questions when I get back I will help you out there. Suffice it to say that Tassie is filled with interesting things to do and see and so is the rest of your chosen path.
Till then happy planning.

Try out this site AD
http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/home/index.cfm
and you can go from there as ask about things that look interesting for you.

PPS
because you had a B&B then I would suggest that you check out the "Cottages of the Colony" in Tasmania for your accommodation. I have always found them the best accommodation and worth every penny. These are usually self-contained convict built houses which are decorated in the linen and lace look and are about as comfortable as you could ever want.
Don't expect the mountains to be anything like those near where you live as we don't have any mountains that come close to the grandeur of the Rockies etc but we do have wilderness and that in itself is an attraction and pristine wilderness at that.
Enjoy

Dear Janese,

Thanks for your response(s). We just thought we'd do 3-4 hours out of Airlie Beach the first night to get some Kms. under our belt and then take the whole next day driving up during daylight so we can see some of your coastline. The car rental w/ drop seems to be less expensive than airline tix x2 The cottage idea for Tasmania sounds good. Enjoy your trip. Where are you off to? Someplace wonderful I hope. Thanks AndrewDavid

Why Tassie?

Your trip sounds great and well planned. I'm a big fan of Tasmania - highly recommend Cradle Mountain Lodge (www.cradlemountainlodge.com.au), Strahan (west coast), Freycinet, and of course Hobart itself. When we go to Hobart, we stay at Barton Cottage B&B (www.bartoncottage.com.au). With only 6 days in Tassie I wouldn't try to do all of the above - too much driving time. Don't be fooled by distances; roads are anything but straight and/or direct. Lots to see & do. For Hobart, most of the action is in & around Salamanca Place (markets/harbor/restaurants/historic neighborhoods), day trips to Mt. Wellington, Port Arthur, Cadbury Factory, Cascade Brewery. Fun place.

Hi there, the Bruce Highway from Airlie Beach to Daintree is a very quite stretch of road it is in very good condition & you will be able to travel at the speed limit. It is very very boring most of the time as it doesn't sit on the coast as one would imagine. I would look at staying at Townsville overnight, Jupiters Casino has very good accom & nice water views if you have time maybe a trip to Magnetic Island via the ferry. Enjoy

Some quick thank you's to those who have responded to me so far

To johhj_au:

Are you asking me or Janese, " Why Tassie?"

For us what I understand is the chance to see some great temperate climate natural scenery , world class wilderness and some historic sites like Port Arthur.

For Janese, well she'll have to speak for herself.

Are you not a fan of "Tassie". I hear the beer is great.

MrsFletcher: Thanks for the info on Tasmania, Barton's Cottage and deceptive driving distances. We'll try to set reasonable goals as this is a vacation, not a marathon.

AussieJo, Thanks for the info on Bruce Highway. Is it more boring than driving across Kansas?

AndrewDavid

Well A/D....you do seem on top of the issues...perhaps significantly better informed tham some here.

The Bruce Highway between Airlie and the Daintree is the antithesis of driving thru Kansas.However it is NOT an interstate.The drive from Cardwell north is particularly good with a real slice of FNQ being available if you keep ur eyes and ears open and get around.Sugar towns/Tully river/mission beach/hinchinbrook/atherton tablelands/maybe even the lava tubes...you could check them all out on your drive.

Is Tassie overated?
I would think you should compare it to other options for a week ex sydney:
-a loop of the south of the south island of nz
-a drive sydney brisbane
-a drive melbourne-adelaide + KI via great ocean road etc.

I think
port arthur and other places in tassie are among the best places to get a feel for the convict experience.
for glaciated scenery you are MUCH better off in nz
for rainforest you are much better of in the daintree or the world heritage forests near mt warning.
if you are looking for an alternative lifestyle vibe you are better off in the byron hinterland.

As for the beer...nost australian lagers are pretty much the same...but cascade does have good ads.

Dear Aussies and aussiephiles,

Well I hate to be a pig and move myself up to the top, but I've been disappointed and hurt ( hey I'm a sensitive guy) by the realtive lack of response to our itinerary. Aside from Janese, AussieJo, Mrs Fletcher and Johhj, I've not heard from the rest of you natives, the choir from NZ or my fellow annoying countrymen and women. What gives? Is everyone on vacation , worn out or just getting ready for the solstice?

We've decided we can't afford Lizard Island so will do a Daintree Air day trip and a 2 night liveaboard for our northern reef snorkelling from May 1-4. The rest of our proposed itineray is as first written until I hear from some more of you, Pretty Please!

AndrewDavid

A/D
Did you get that little hint from the previous poster....
Tassie in May can be a little chilly.

Also some of the smarties from down south say not Kakadu..Kakadon't.

To Astrid and Johhj. Thanks for feedback. I sent an enquiry to the Tasmanian Tourist Board website regarding weather in 3rd week of April. I understand its iffy.

Johhj: why Kakadon't ?!?

Also
In reply to your questions about why Tasmania (who is doing all this promotion.)

Our reason's for going
1. It's my partners first choice and we have to do somethig he wants

2. We live in the high desert currently experiencing drought so green and damp sounds good ( although personally I hope we don't have to do too much hiking about in the rain)

3. A general impression that many americans bring back about Tasmania is that its like California was in the 60's and 70's before so much overdevelopment took place there. Being former Californians that sounds a good dose of nostalgia for us. Thanks for your thoughtful feedback

well A/D at the rate your going I reckon when you hop on that plane in albequerque you will know more about your destinations than 80% of aussies.

Kakadon't....I hate to sound negative but someone has to take an alternative view on occasions...a poster called LizF often does this role but she hasn't been around for a while.

There is a view that Kakadu owes its profile to the Crocodile Dundee movies.
Some say harshly that it is "clapped out" savannah contry.
Why burn a day or to getting up and out of the top end when you can see aboriginal hand paintings,crocodiles and tropical widlife elsewhere in more convenient locations.

Tassie reasons
1. Can't argue with that..

2.if you are taking a punt on weather I suppose its a good excuse to buy a dri az a bone.

3. Tassie like Cal.....that would have to be northern california...if you want something like the good old days in the best part of Cal. (central and southern) then you better be headed elsewhere e.g. Byron Bay.

Johhj

Another translation request:

What is a "dri az a bone"?

You guesssed right we're from N. CA: Berkeley and Carmel Valley

Thanks for feedback

AndrewDavid

PS do you know where LizF has gone? I miss her comments

A/D, A drizabone is an oilskin overcoat, originally worn by cattlemen but now worn pretty widely. If you can think back to the opening of the Sydney Olympics (if you saw it) there were lots of guys riding horses. They were wearing drizabones.

This is a comment from a fellow United Mileage Plus passenger, but one who is going from Australia to Alaska, New Mexico and the Southwest for six weeks later on this year - if they are still flying!
We lived in Tasie for six years,and travelled from Sydney to Cairns , to Alice Springs, Ayers Rock (Uluru)to Darwin in the sixties, when the road was a two lane, isolated track in a VW Beetle with "lay-back" seats - a wonderful trip. Lately, we've done lots of road trips in the USA and Canada, and have left trips in Australia again for when we are really old!
My comment is, Tasmania in May could be miserable, and it is such a lot of travel on what you already will have done, I think you would be better off to save it for another time, and spend the extra days in the Blue Mountains out of Sydney,(like a smaller version of the Grand Canyon, but lots of wonderful flora as well) or add extra time somewhere else. The beaches around Sydney are amongst the best in the world, and even if it is too cold to swim, there are fabulous walks.

Check out www.ninemsn.com.au and the "Getaway" site there.

Jet Lag is bad coming from LA to Sydney, not so bad going back. United doesn't fly via Auckland any more, I think, which is a shame, because New Zealand and Tasi are similar (Except for NZ's glaciers and mountain peaks.)I though parts of NZ were back in the fifties a few years ago, when we were there, and I loved it too..

P Cook has covered the drizabone...if you see an R M Williams shop go in..and have a look at the aussie squatter outfit
boots
moleskin trousers
check shirt
wool tie
akubra hat
drizabone

an akubra often makes a good souvenir..along with your stubbie cooler,didgeridoo and aboriginal art etc

well i thought carmel etc were still central cal. Tassie is more like genuine northern cal or pacific northwest.In my opinion a more apt comparison is nova scotia (cape breton).

I reckon you should scrap kakadu,fly hobart -brissy,pick up a car and drive brissy-cairns via byron,noosa,fraser,airlie etc

then fly cairns-alice.I would try and get into the McDonnell ranges near alice on your way to the rock.

try some posts on the australia section of the thorn tree message board at
www.lonelyplanet.com

LizF can't come back because she can't work out how to re-register so I am here in her place.
I have looked through some of the comments and one that I have to counter is the one that said that the weather could be "iffy" in Tasmania. Sure it won't be summer and sure it may be a tad cold but I have been there twice in May ( let alone April) and enjoyed it very much.
The weather in Tassie is not cold in terms of US winters anyway and at least you can hike to your hearts content and not get overheated. It would not deter me from going. The idea of going to the Blue Mountains instead would probably get you exactly the same terperatures you would have in Tasmania anyway as it does get somewhat "soldiers" up there.
I get the idea that you are not after glaciated scenery in Tasmania anyway - and it is correct to say that that type of scenery is better in NZ, but it would also be correct in saying that that scenery is much better in the USA for that matter.
No, Tasmania is not those things and it is different from the rest of Australia and it is still uncluttered, has fabulous food, wonderful scenery ( but perhaps not as green as you would expect, because of the dry grasses and lack of rain) the air is clean and fresh and the countryside is worth a visit and its sub-temperate rain forests are very different from the tropical ones. You won't feel pushed in time or temperament and you will relive a time past when things were not as "fast" as they are now.
I think your plans are just fine except for the drive from Whitsundays to Cairns - I would fly

AndrewDavid, I just did the drive from Airlie Beach to Port Douglas last week! It DOES take 9 to 10 hours and it is NOT like driving along California freeways! We couldn't believe that the Bruce Highway was only two lanes in most parts! (Yes, one lane each way with "overtaking" lanes every so often.) Many times, the drive is similar to Highway 1, just south of Carmel... views, curvy roads, but usually it is sugar cane fields for miles and miles and miles. Sometimes you can go the speed limit, but usually not, depending on time of day. I am posting my trip report soon and will give more general details, but did you have any specific questions about Airlie Beach or Port Douglas? Don't give up on this board... it was the most helpful part of my planning!

Andrew,
I'm writing this from Rockridge right next to Berkeley and I have to say. I second you partner's choice..you won't go wrong with Tasmania! We really loved it...it has a larger than life and yet familiar European country landscape, small towns and gorgeous scenery. We really liked Cradle Mountain particularly for the walks right out from the lodge that were straight into temperate rainforest, really stunning. I hadn't seen anything like it, to me it was an emerald green moss forestthough my husband claimed the Olympic forest in Oregon is similar. We also went to Frecinet and stopped on the way at a small b and B in a charming historic town though I can't remember the name! Sorry! The food was also great as Tasmania is know for it's dairy products/smoked salmon etc. I wasn't really that interested in going to Australia (I went for a family wedding) but I really enjoyed it. The diversity of scenery, the scale of the continent, the food and the generous open spirit of the people. Plus I had some incredible spa treatments at a place in Port Douglas that was out-there in a Mendicino /Chakra realighment/spititual kind of way! Crazy!

AndrewDavid,

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't win the lottery yet, however it sounds like the compromise re: Lizard will be a perfect substitution! I am a BIG FAN of the Daintree Air daytrip and for those of us who want the experience of a lifetime, then Greg from Daintree is your man! I hope you have a fantastic time and can't wait for your trip report! (are you still living in NM did you say?) Quick question where are you staying in Sydney/Daintree? Well, it looks to me like your itinerary is fantastic! For the Queenslanders, when is the jellyfish season over? Isn't it around April/May?

-Jules (Southern California)

Thank you all for your feedback. Sorry to incite you all about Tasmania.

Johhj: aussie squatter gear sounds like some kind of resort wear. Good on the spot but peculiar looking at home. Here its lots of navajo jewelery and bolo ties that look strange 100km beyond city limits, but we'll check it all out.

Pumblechock: I guess I have seen drizabones but didn't know it. Now I'm smarter tha I thought I was!

Carabella: We are trying to add a day to Sydney so we can do an overnight in the Blue MTs to see the Jenolan Caves. If you need info about Santa Fe for your SW tour feel free to e-mail : [email protected]. That's good for everyone else who needs some advice about our portion of the SW.

Janese thanks for the only encouraging Tasmanian weather report. We think to drive Airlie beach to NQLD as flights seem to take all day anyway. We will overnight partway up to break up the drive.

Moneygirl: Look forward to your report. No specific Pt Douglas Airlie Beach ? yet. Will pot when we have the N QLD portion better researched

Well travelled brit: Sounds like we share tastes. We are looking forward to dinner on the 29th of June at the Grasshopper Cafe in your neck of the woods.

And last but not least Jules: yes we are still in Santa Fe. Think to try Stafford Apts or quiet side of Russell Hotel in Sydney. Not sure of where we will base our selves in the Pt, Douglas Daintree area. Any suggestions?


Again thanks to you all. Its diifficult trying to schedule Tasmania to N. Queensland and Kakadu weather wis e into one trip. Now trying to avoid most of the school hols also. We think to spend April 14-18 in Sydney as we feel in the big city as the holidaymakers will be spread out and just hope we can book bridge climb w/o too much trouble.

Hope to hear from you all soon and that Liz gets back on line .

Thanks AndrewDavid

In case you are currently planning flights, United does have a short stopover in Auckland and although the flight going over was easy as pie...the jet lag on this end has been awful! I'm so glad that I took an extra week away from the office to recover because I've really needed it! Hoping to post my trip report tomorrow. I might change my screen name to Bundygirl!

Hi A/D

Sorry I found this late into the postings but I also just got back from a trip in the States. We visited Oz and NZ for 4 weeks and had a simply marvelous time - did most of what you're planning. Started in Sydney - on to Tassie - up to Melbourne - then on to Alice and Uluru - next to Barrier reef - then to South Is NZ and finally back again to Sydney. We will go back as they have such a lovely culture.

If I could recommend anything I would recommend more time in Sydney. It is truly a great city and a good part of it revolves around their harbor and their use of ferries to get around on. Tassie does have wonderful scenery (cradle mt, Freycinet, but we were actually able to do a lot in 4 days there. Whereas we simply could not get enough of Sydney!! Just a thought!!
Enjoy your trip.

Dear LN, Thanks for your input. I would be interested in how you scheduled your 4 days in Tasmania. We definitly will spend as much time as possible on the ferries in Sydney. We did a trip to the Italian lakes last fall and really enjoyed being on the water.

Best wishes
AndrewDavid

Dear comrades in travel:

We have reserved our tickets over. By using miles left over from our B&B business accounts we scored two of the 4 business class seats available for free so we'll sleep (aided by ambien most of the way)

Revised itinerary thanks to your previous feedback:

April 13 arrive Sydney (5:45 AM!)
in Sydney
through April 17th. w/ overnight to Blue Mts. to see Jenolan caves

April 18 lv Sydney for Hobart arrive 9:05 Am

in Tasmania 6 days depart:

April 24 for Airlie Beach and 3 days/2 nights on Solway Lass through Whitsundays ( does anyone know about this)
April 27 return to dock 4PM
p/u rental car drive to Townsville

April 28 AM rest of drive to N. QSLD
in NQSLD for 5.5 days: Daintree Air trip to Lizard, David A tour. perhaps another nighttime tour to Atherton Tablelands or Cooper Creek, Skyrail to Kuranda and maybe a day trip to the reef for more snorkelling
May 3 lv Cairns 6:45PM; arr. Darwin 8PM
May 4 Litchfield NP sleep : Katherine
May 5 Nitmiluk NP canoeing
May 6 Kakadu
May 7 Kakadu
May 8 Kakadu
May 9 arrive Alice Springs8:40 AM
drive to Uluru
May 10 Red Center
May 11 Red Center
May 12 lv Ayers Rock 2:15PM arr Sydney 4:40PM
May 13 Sydney
May 14 lv Sydney 1:45PM for USA

We'll be in AU for 31.5 days. I'll be happy to hear any response, suggestions or critiques.

Thanks AndrewDavid

In general its a great itinerary and reflects your research.
In no perticular order:

bounce some ideas round at www.lonelyplanet.com australia message board. The standard of etiqette is poor but those backpackers etc have been around.

I would replace the 6 days in the "top end" with:
Fly hobart -Brissy
get a car
do Byron Bay to Fraser

Jenolan caves??? seen one limestone cave and you have seen them all.Do the blue gum forest walk in the blue mountains instead

Since we spent two months in Northern Territory last year, here are some suggestions. In Kakadu, the boat trip on Yellow Waters is a must. Another good boat trip is on the East Alligator River - this is run by the local aboriginal community. Best rock art is at Nourlangie Rock and Obirr Rock - you may be able to do a walk with the rangers which would add interest.
We stayed overnight at Batchelor and went into Litchfield from there. I can't recall any accommodation in Litchfield apart from camping grounds. There is a motel at Batchelor plus the nextdoor caravan park (very clean and nice people) has cabins.
Are you spending any time in Alice? If so, we can recommend the Ted Egan show - Ted is an old Territorian and tells stories of the outback, and sings accompanied by an empty beer carton. It is a good night's entertainment and not expensive.
If time allows, Kings Canyon is spectacular - not as big as Grand Canyon but the walk along the rim is well worth doing. Another good walk in through the Valley of the Winds at the Olgas. Both walks will take about three hours, so be sure to take drinks, hats and sunscreen with you.
Hope this helps your holiday plans.

Dear Johhj,

Thanks for your feedback:

Limestone Caves: Did you know that Carlsbad Caverns here in New Mexico has the largest underground lunchroom?

I am reading Bill Bryson's hilarious take on Australia ( he's a huge fan ) and he says you Aussies have a fondness for large strange things: giant lobsters, koala, pineapples, etc

What's the "large" attraction in the Blue Mts?

Dear Marg, Thanks for your suggestions on the Top and Red Center:
We are flying into Alice arriving 8:40 AM, Can we take in Kings Canyon on the drive down to Uluru?

We will do the walk at the Olgas.

best wishes to all,

AndrewDavid

Limestone caves....the most fascinating ones I have seen were in Ha Long Bay in Vn. Used as a hospital during the war.
Have not been to the south west....well i did drive across the US on I 10 at 80 mph once. Is there a manhattan project exhibit up at Los Alamos?

Bryson's book is good...more fun than P Theroux. For some reason it was published here as B Bryson Down Under ...in nth america as B Bryson in a Sunburnt Land.I like the bits on the PM and when he gets "p....ed" in an n.t. pub.
Of course it would have been so much better if he had been to Tassie! i c we have picked up yet another Tassie fan.

There are no "big" X in the blue mts.too civilsed for that.AlanJ is the expert.IMHO the Hydromajestic,Mt Wilson,Govetts Leap-Blue Gum Forest walk and I suppose Katoomba are the places to go.

If you want to see "big" things you should follow my itinerary advice...scrap the "top end" and do Byron to Fraser...you could see the Big prawn at Ballina...the big pineapple at Nambour..the big Banana at Coffs etc etc

you could also give urself an extra day in the centre...to get out in the west mcdonnell ranges..kings canyon..finke river..palm valley ..Hermannsburg etc Compare the aboriginal rock art with Namitjira and modern aboriginal work and even navajo art.

Marg...is Ted Egan still going around in Alice?