Itinerary
 

Hi. My family and I re taking 2 weeks in August to visit my son in Sydney (he'll be finishing up a program there). I've always planned on visiting Australia, but thought I'd do so when I could spare more than 2 weeks. But the opportunity is now and so I was curious if there were any suggestions as to how we might spend 2 our weeks (really 12 days). I'm happy to travel around a little bit (drive, fly, etc) so long as we don't spend all day each day doing so (I like to move at a liesurely pace on vacation. Any ideas, suggestions, reference info, etc would be greatly appreciated. We're not on a hard and fast budget, so we can take advantage of most travel options.

Depending on interests, Canberra has a lot to offer. It is a three hour drive there from most parts of Sydney. The road there is easy. Well woth a visit is the Australian museum, Parliment house etc.

In Sydney there is much to do depending on your interests. Chinatown has excellent food, Bridge climb is quite an experience and eating fish and chips at Manly beach is always nice. The Blue Mountains are well worth a look to. If you are into Australian animals then Featherdale Wildlife park at Doonside allows you to get up close and personal with them.

Hello,

Three points in your post stand out. First, it'll be August (time of year is a big factor is choosing where to go); you like to go slowly; and Australia was already on your personal list.

So, above all, stick with your basic inclinations and don't try and do too much - you can always come again!

I'd be tempted to spend 6-7 days Sydney and surrounds and 5-6 days somewhere else. Min 3 full days for Sydney - loads to see and I guess your son will enjoy showing you around. Blue Mts/Jenolan Caves or Blue Mts/Hunter Valley by car for 3 days would be good. Blue Mts/Canberra by car in 3? you could do that too but it would be a bit rushed I think. Others would know better on that as I've only ever visited each of them separately. Blue Mts and Canberra will be cold.

As for the somewhere else - I'd pick a trip to Kakadu National Park in the far NW, aka the Top End. (fly to Darwin). Good time of the year; a big contrast (and it'll be hot, but not raining). There's aboriginal culture; a stunning landscape; rockholes to swim in (but only if a guide says it's OK - you wouldn't want to get eaten by a crocodile); fabulous birdlife; a entirely new world of flora to discover.

Just some thoughts.

Have lots of fun.

Sydney is a given so contrast it with something tropical like the Atherton Tablelands, Cairns and the reef.

Thanks all very much for the helpful advice.

Hi, great that you are able to come to Australia even for a short time. You'll want to come back, I gaurantee it! I vote for Sydney with a side trip to the Blue Mtns with a guide (bring warm clothes) and either the Kakadu option perhaps with a stopover in Uluru/Kata Tjuta (for the icon of Australia, the view of the expanse of the countryside, and the hiking)on the way there or back (depending on airfare and departure times). That is one idea,the other is if you have ever wanted to snorkel, see animals, Australian countryside, etc. then head to Cairns, the Daintree and the Atherton Tableland. A good book to get an overview of the country is the AAA spiral book Australia. DON'T however, think you can do their 2 days here and 3 days there option (luckily you said you wanted to do a leisurely pace.) Great eye candy and droolfest with Eyewitness Australia and Nat'l Geographic Australia. When you have your place, then check out the individual guide books/web sites for the places you have chosen. You can do a search of this site by place names and get lots of hits of trip reports and great information. Happy planning!
Sally in Seattle

Thanks Sally. Some great ideas there.