Since this is the season of goodwill I'll resist the temptation to respond in kind to DownUnder's comments on Canberra.

I will say, though, that a visitor interested in Australia's history and culture can find nowhere better to get to grips with the country. The old and new Parliament Houses, the Australian War Memorial, National Museum and National Gallery will see to that (and if you're into flora,the National Botanical Gardens allows you to walk among native vegetation from all parts of the country, from arid to rain forest climes).

Canberra is also situated in classically Australian pastoral country rising into the Brindabella Ranges, and further to the south the Snowy Mountains, with many typical inland country towns within an hour's drive. But I don't subscribe to the idea that the bush is the "real Australia". For better or worse Australians have always been primarily city dwellers.

I've never really understood why many Australians are disposed to knock their capital city, by the way. They should be proud of it. Maybe at heart we're still colonials.

Well said Neil and I think you are right. The drive between Sydney and Canberra is worth doing just to visit some of the lovely, and old, Southern Highland towns en route to Canberra which is a beautiful city and very well thought out and is situated near some lovely areas of Australia i.e. the Snowy Mountains.

Hello everyone,

You all have been so great in your input. I finalized my itinerary! Thank you so much for your contributions. Really, it is great to have this thread. I learn so much from it. Take care. Mary.

Anyone who suggests Canberra as a destination ahead of Melbourne has zero credibility in my view.

Zeer, perhaps you should look to your own credibility, which is not immediately apparent. Disparaging two-liners with zero information content add nothing useful to this discussion.

Donc, I don't think its Buenos Aires which is "up there" with Sydney as apart from the street which is a beautiful wide avenue there is not much that is nice about B.A. Rio de Janeiro has a lovely harbour and entry with beautiful hills all around and most certainly is a wonderful setting for a city - if you take away the Favellas. sp?? ( slum cities )