I am going to Australia in May for my Honeymoon. We will be in Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairnes for 13 days. Can anyone give me any suggestions of things to do or see? This is my first trip to Australia so I am not familiar with the area. Thanks!

Hi Hanna, <BR>Weather in May in Melbourne could be quite cool, Sydney warmer and Cairns warm/hot. In Melbourne, visit Rialto Tower (tallest building) for fabulous views over the city, catch the free City Circle tram around the city, catch a water taxi from Southgate to Williamstown, Melbourne Zoo is pretty good, Queen Victoria Market is great for shopping, buskers and people watching, especially on the weekends. Lygon St and Brunswick St have loads of great restaurants. <BR> <BR>Sydney - catch the Manly ferry, walk around the historic Rocks area, visit the old Queen Victoria Building for shopping, join a tour to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge - pretty popular! <BR> <BR>Cairns - there is no beach at Cairns, it's on mudflats but there are good beaches about 15 mins north by bus. You may want to stay at Palm Cove or Port Douglas if a beach is important. Catch the tourist train or Skyrail to Kuranda, do a day tour to the Daintree Rainforest area, go on a day trip to an island or the Great Barrier Reef for snorkelling, lunch, swimming etc. <BR> <BR>Hope you have a wonderful honeymoon! <BR>(P.S. Bring or buy when you get here - umbrella for Melbourne/Sydney, sunscreen and hat for Cairns.) <BR>Kay

Hi Hanna, <BR>Cairns will be hot, hot, hot and Melbourne quite the opposite - you are missing the best part - Adelaide. For coverage/value and variety - especially eco & nature stuff you should go the extra distance. Check out this site for a little taste of heaven! :- <BR>http://www.aussieassist.com - they will do absolutely everything for you..

Kay, Thank you so much for the wonderful advice. I have been reading the other postings trying to find out the best places to go. Your reply was a big help. What do you think about Kangaroo Island, the Penguin Parade, and Yarra Valley? Thanks so much. <BR> -Hanna

Hi Hanna, <BR> <BR>Just thought I would add my two cents to the information that Kay and Aileen have given you. <BR> <BR>Cairns will be warm but more importantly it will be free of the wet season humidity which is a definite plus. <BR> <BR>I think you mean the Penguin parade on Phillip Island not Kangaroo Island which is located off the coast of South Australia. Th Penguin parade is an extremely popular day trip and can be to popular at times. <BR> <BR>The Yarra Valley is good for doing a wine tasting trip if you are into vineyards and fine wines. <BR> <BR>I do agree with Aileen that Adelaide is a beautifull city, my wife and I go there regularly. But like Melbourne it is a city best visited in the warmer months of November through to March. <BR> <BR>In Sydney you can do lots of day trips, there are ones that go up to the Blue Mountains and Katoomba to see the three sisters ( rock formation ) and ride the Scenic Railway down the canyon. You will most likely need to rug up if you do this in May but it is worth it. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps

While in Sydney do the Hunter Valley winery tour on a Mercedes with a guy called Visitours on web site www.visitours.com.au <BR>Cheers

Hi Hanna, <BR>Haven't been to Kangaroo Island so can't comment there, the Penguin Parade is pretty popular, they get busloads of tourists down there. It's about 1 to 2hr drive from Melb, at Philip Island, the penguins come out at dusk so it's an evening trip. I'd go if you really want to see fairy penguins but wouldn't rave over it. I don't think they allow cameras or videos in at all. <BR> <BR>Yarra Valley is nice, lots of wineries, some with great restaurants. Maybe a day tour, or you can drive yourself if you don't mind driving on the left! In May it could be cold and wet or it could be a lovely sunny day so maybe you could wait and see what the weather is like. If you are out that way, you could visit Healesville Sanctuary. They specialise in Australian native animals, you can see koalas being fed, and dingoes, kangaroos, wombats, you name it. Ring them to find out times for animal feedings etc. <BR> <BR>Only too happy to help if you have other questions. Kay

Day, could you tell me what is in Williamstown that we would be taking the water taxi over to? I am going in May, also. Thank you.

The previous message was for Kay, not day. Sorry I am wearing my jacket as it`s cold in Reno, and the sleeve messed up my typing! Pat