We kindly request your assistance. We are doing a last-minute trip to Australia in Dec 17. It has been on the bucket-list for decades!

There have been a couple of family events that have placed things in perspective. So, why wait!

We are looking at a total of 22 days. The itinerary so far is as follows:

1. Sydney - 4 Days
a. Looking to stay at the Rocks or Circular Quay area; we are looking for a hotel with a great view of the Sydney Opera house and harbor. We are considering:
* Shangri-La
* Sydney Harbour Marriott
* Any suggestions?
2. Brisbane - 2 Days
3. Gold Coast - 2 Days
4. Port Douglas - 4 Days
5. Yulara - (maybe)
6. Tasmania
7. Melbourne
8. Sydney - night before flight home.


We are looking to stay at a nice hotel in Sydney and moderate hotels or AirBnb for the remainder of the vacation. We are also open to reducing the number of stops and opt for a 4-night stay at key locations.

Also, recommended must dos! We are an active couple in our 50s, and love to hike, run, etc. Looking forward to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef!

Thank you so much for your assistance!

Best,
PNK

You have planned way too many stops! 22 days = 8 destinations is only 2.75 days at each place. Cut it back or you will spend the whole holiday in the airports and it will cost $$$.
Australia is near as big as the US in size and you are zapping off all over the country. For example Melbourne is about where Florida is and Cairns/PD up past the lakes in Canada.
Sydney 4 nights, fly to Cairns/PD.
Gold Coast 3 nights - skip Brisbane.
Cairns 4 nights. Try an outer reef trip for a bucket list experience.
Melbourne 4 nights
Tasmania 4 nights
Sydney 2 nights = 21 nights so a spare night somewhere or add to Sydney to get over jet lag.
Flying up and down the East Coast does involve some backtracking unfortunately. You could fly to straight from Cairns to Hobart but it's 7 hours nonstop flying. As I said before Australia is a big place!

Your recommendations make perfect sense.

Thank you so much Tasmangirl!

You are at the peak summer holiday season in Australia so you need to move quickly both for flights and accommodation .

Go to Yulara if you must, but good G-d you will suffer for it.

You'd be going during the start of Aussie summer when the flies will swarm all over you and the temperatures will resemble July versions of something from Phoenix to Death Valley. Better to go to Yulara in the Australian late fall or early winter (April, May, June, July). Shoot, even in April the flies are fairly numerous; in December, it's more like what this poor dope dealt with: https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...-the-olgas.jpg

Is that you in the photo Russ?

While you’re putting things in perspective, this might be useful in assessing your Australian Itinerary for 22 days

https://www.buzzfeed.com/simoncrerar...ustralian-maps

That's a great link Bokhara.

I agree, great map (the comparisons are mind-boggling). Thanks for the link.

BigRuss: That particular experience is not in the bucket list.

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice. It is greatly appreciated.

Great idea to post the map - many have no idea just how big Australia is!

Sydney7,

The ShangriLa & Marriott are good choices, the Shang has better views & is a better Hotel, but the Marriott is closer to Circular Quay. You might also have a look at the Intercontinental &Four Seasons if you prefer a hotel in the Circular Quay/ The Rocks. With 4days, perhaps you might consider a self catering apartment of which there is a good range at various locations & price points.

A splurge at the Pullman Quay Grand would be hard to beat. So would The Park Hyatt.

Have a look at Booking.com - book direct with the property. They will match & sometimes better the rate.

Domestic carriers are Qantas &Virgin (full service & 23 kegs of checked luggage)
Jetstar & Tiger ( low cost carriers - charge extra for everything except the air you breathe & they’re working on that). Join their online sites, they often have quite good sales.

I hope we haven’t frightened you off with out big gasp at how much was in your Itinerary. 22days is more than some people have & you can certainly have a good glimpse & a great trip in that time.

Have you had a look at Australia.com and the destination websites for places you think you’d be most keen to see?

Do let us know if we can help refine your choices - Summer is a wonderful time to be in most of Australia.

<<Is that you in the photo Russ?>>

No, thankfully. My hairline hasn't retreated quite that far ... yet.

I've been to the Red Centre in April when I thought the flies were no fun and they're just a small fraction of what's around in December. I've also been in June when the flies were barely there. Definitely liked that.

BigRuss - I was there last April complete with fly nets and didn't see a fly !!!