My husband and I are going to Australia for the first time in late November. We're flying into Sydney but are wondering if there's enough time to visit other cities/places and if so where? Also, is it pretty easy to get to those places by train/bus or would a rental car be better? Our interests: We love zoos, botanical gardens, walking, snorkeling, and eating. Any suggestions?

I`d stick with Sydney and the surrounding area. There is so much to see and do. I am going back for the 2nd time, just to try and catch what we missed before. Get a pass and use the ferries, train, and buses. You can do a day trip to the blue mountains, Be sure and climb the Sydney bridge! It is easy to get around in Sydney. I wouldn`t bother with a car. Go see the zoo, walk Manley beach and Bondi beach (do the coastal walk), visit the rocks, Darling Harbour and the Botanical gardens. I did a search on dogpile and found all the Sydney explorer bus stops and all the ferry routes. You will love Australia. Save other cities for another time as you will be too busy.

The aquarium is pretty special too.

Definitely agree, stay with Sydney. We lived in Adelaide for 50 years and now live in Darwin. Sydney is a favourite city, we've been there many, many times and one week will just give you a taste for it. The harbour is beautiful, take some of the ferry rides, in particular the one to Manly and spend a couple of hours there. If you try and do other cities in one week, I'm sure you'd go home thinking you needed a holiday to get over your holiday. Enjoy

Perhaps put a day aside to take the train down to Canberra ( Australia's Capital City) which is very interesting and can be also very pretty. The trip is less than 2 hours by train. Going through the countryside is nice too. <BR>But stay in and around Sydney

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Is the snorkeling good in Sydney as well, or would it be worth it to fly to Cairns to see the Gold Coast?

Snorkling is not something you can do in Sydney - at least not enjoyable Barrier Reef type snorkling. Although there is reasonable snorkling around Morton Island ( out from Brisbane ) the nearest you could get to Barrier Reef snorkling is Lady Musgrave Island off Bundaberg which is 1,400 Klm from Sydney and getting there is not the easiest when you have limited time. Neither would the cost be attractive. If you are after Barrier Reef type things to do then you would get on a plane as soon as you arrive in Sydney and fly to Cairns - 3 hours flying time away from Sydney. However I would suggest that perhaps you leave the tropical stuff for another visit and consentrate on Sydney - that is unless the Barrier Reef is your greatest desire.

Goldy<BR><BR>I'm not sure where you're from - but - Australia is roughly the same size as mainland USA, but with a tiny population. Distances are great.<BR><BR>Cairns is roughly a 3-4 hour flight - and then there's at least another hour or so to get out to Green Island - the nearest snorkelling possibility. Another option is Townsville and Brampton Island - about the same time or perhaps longer - and there are fewer flights to Townsville, and probably more expensive.<BR><BR>The Gold Coast is about an hour's flight north of Sydney - it's a bit like Miami, and no snorkelling (or nothing attractive). <BR><BR>You really have to make a decision on what is most important to you. Perhaps you could fly into Sydney and home from Cairns.<BR><BR>If you're staying in Sydney - don't bother about a car. Public transport is good (did I really say that!) for tourist spots.<BR><BR>Enjoy yourselves, whatever you decide.

Thanks for all your reponses. We're leaving next week and I feel confident that it will be the best vacation ever!