Beginning to research a trip to Australia over the Christmas holidays. What is the weather like? What are the must sees and dos? Any off-the-beaten-path things to do? How are the beaches? <BR>Any suggestions are appreciated.

sara:<BR>Wow! Your question is quite challenging. Other than it being summer at Christmas time, Australia is very diversive. Where are you going? How long do you plan to be there? What do you like to do? There is a profound difference between Sydney, Melbourne, Alice Springs, Darwin, Broome, Tasmania. If you can be a little more specific it would help. <BR>Trying to be of assistance.<BR>John<BR>

hiya, <BR>i was wondering if you can help? i am travelling to perth middle aug to middle sept, please can you suggest some areas of interest to travel and what the best and cheapest way is to travel. i would like to make my to the east cost in the most cheapest way possible. any help would be greatly appreciated.<BR>thanx <BR>Nadine

Hi Nadine:<BR>Where are you travelling from? Check out www.qantas.com. They have great specials from time to time. The train from Perth to Sydney takes 3 days. Air would be cheaper and quicker unless you want to stop and visit along the way.<BR>John

Well, I'd like to start in Sydney. I will have 2 1/2 weeks to be there. After Sydney, I'm open to suggestions! I'd like to see some beaches, but other than that I'm not exactly sure what is there. What are the differences between Melbourne, Alice Springs, Darwin, Broome, and Tasmania. Thanks.

Hi Sara - <BR><BR>The weather over Christmas holidays in Aust. is pretty good - w/ the exception of up north which will be at the start of the rainy season. Things will be crowded due to school holidays here wherever you go. Here is a brief snapshot of my opinions on the places I have seen:<BR><BR>SYDNEY - great beaches (Whale, Palm, Manly, Bondi); weather will be warm &amp; somewhat humid; take the Manly ferry vs. a harbour tour (can't ever seem to hear the tourguide); climb the bridge; visit the Rocks, Darling Harbour, Paddington Mkts, Olympic site and take a day trip to the Blue Mts. Good public transport (as most big cities in Aust) and easy to walk to most things as well.<BR><BR>Melbourne - The city beaches aren't much in comparison to Sydney, but a visit to St. Kilda is a must. Take the #16 tram. The weather will be nice, but maybe a bit cooler at night. I think the Melb zoo is much nicer than Sydney's, although Sydney's is in a spectacular location (on the harbour). Aside from the usual sites (city, botanical gardens) I would recommend the night tour of the Gaol (must book in advance); a day trip to the Great Ocean Rd. is a must; Healesville Sanctuary; Lygon St. area for Italian food &amp; atmosphere; Brunswick St. Also can take a day trip to Phillip Island to see the penguins. Most people also recommend the Queen Victoria markets (closed Mon &amp; Wed) but this may not be for everyone (rows upon rows w/ stalls upon stalls of cheap souveniers).<BR><BR>Alice Springs - assuming you want to see Ayers Rock/Olgas/Kings Canyon, which is about a 5 hrs drive out of Alice Springs. I would recommend staying at the resort (all types of accom. from hotels to camping). Again, weather should be nice. This is really worth seeing. I took a 3 day camping tour that was excellent excellent value -- maybe thru Safari Tours??<BR><BR>Cairns - anything in the far north of the country will have a good chance of being rainy. It will be very warm &amp; humid, but Dec. is the start of the rainy season. I spent 5 days there over Xmas a few years ago and never saw the sun once - and it never stopped pouring. But, other people have had good weather. I actually prefer Pt. Douglas over Cairns (60k's Nth). The Great Barrier Reef truly is a wonder of the world. Visit the rainforest, take a trip up the Daintree to see some crocodiles, sit &amp; relax on 4 mi. beach (again, weather permitting).<BR><BR>Tasmania - I am the poster child for Tasmania - I absolutely love it. Hobart is a beautiful little city, stay somewhere around Salamanca Place. Go to the Cadbury factory &amp; the Cascade brewery; visit Pt. Arthur - they also have a night tour which apparently is quite spooky. I'm thinking that the annual Sydney-Hobart yacht race is always held right after Xmas, so things can fill up quickly around that time. Cradle Mt. is located near the Nth/West of the state and is a great place. Lots to see &amp; do - horsebackriding, wildlife tours, fishing, hiking, etc. Freycinet (on the east coast of the state) has an absolutely beautiful beach (Wineglass Bay). A car is a necessity for visiting Tasmania - unless you are only going to visit Hobart.<BR><BR>Can't help w/ Darwin or Broome.

Sara--<BR>I'm Melbourne-bred, but unbiased. Melb and Sydney are quite similar from the outset. Syd is prettier, with the harbour and all, and more bustling. But Melb is the country's cultural ctr, more alternative, hip, underground vibe. Both are worth checking out. As far as the north goes, Darwin and Broome are pretty slow and very dry and hot. unless you plan to go to ayers rock, kakadu, the olgas and the like (which are spectacular and worth the trip) , it's a long haul, time-consuming and expensive.<BR>think about it. but i suggest careful planning if you want to take it all in.<BR>have fun!