Jim

We're leaving for Australia in approximately 4 weeks for our honeymoon - we have approx 16 days there and have planned the following: <BR>5 days in Sydney staying at the Regent <BR>3 days in Melbournestaying at the Hyatt <BR>2 days in Alice Springs staying ay the Outrigger? <BR>And lastly staying 5 days In Port Douglas at the Sheraton Mirage. <BR> <BR>I would appreciate your opinion on the following: <BR>Hotels (the comments on teh Sheration Mirage have me a little concerned) <BR>Suggested trips in Sydney, Melbourne and Port Douglas <BR>We would like to take a sailboat cruise in Sydney but want a smaller boat - maybe a couple couples etc... Any suggestions???? <BR> <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR> <BR>Jim

Michelle

Jim <BR>I saw the negative comments made by another traveller on the Sheraton at Port Douglas - and I was really surprised. We stayed there a few years ago and had a wonderful time - the service from staff and our room were excellent. There are quite a few other postings on this site about things to do around Port Douglas, so check them out, I won't repeat them here. As for trips around Sydney - visit the Blue Mountains to Sydney's west - particularly if you like bushwalking. Leura is a lovely small town in the mountains that is worth a visit, lots of nice small cafes etc. If you want to try some good Australian wines take a day trip up to the Hunter Valley - there are lots of small boutique wineries with great wines (Peterson's, Briar Ridge, Lakes Folly etc), as well as the more well-known ones. If you like wide open waterways, surrounded by national park and not much else, perhaps a bit of fishing, then visit the Hawkesbury River at Brooklyn (60 minutes north of Sydney). There are several riverboat tours you can do, or you can hire your own boat. Another thing worth doing - if your budget permits, and the weather is good - is to take a seaplane up to Cottage Point Inn Restaurant in Kuring-Gai National Park. You fly up the coast along the northern beaches (absolutely fantastic views of the coast). Flight is about 20 minutes or so. The restaurant has really DELICIOUS food and excellent friendly service. Then you fly back. It makes a very memorable day out. It is pricey - but as it is your honeymoon, it may be worth a splurge. <BR> <BR>Whatever you do - have a great time!! <BR>Michelle

janette

<BR>dear Jim, <BR>I stayed in far north queensland about a month ago.It was fabulous.About 15 minutes north of Port Douglas is a place called Palm Cove. Its a beautful spot and not as touristy as Port Douglas. There are some lovely hotels along the beach. We stayed in a place called Reef Retreat,which was very relaxing but there are more expensive hotels , if your looking for pools, and room service. There are plenty of things to do.....snorkelling on the Reef and your not far from The Daintree rainforest which is just superb. We stayed at the heritage lodge which is in the centre of the forest its an unbelievable experience waking up to the sounds of the forest. you should try it for one night. Your so close its a pity to miss it. We stopped at Port Douglas and the Mirage,l don't know what your looking for in a honeymoon but its big and showy and lots of people,it was extremley busy the day we pulled in to have a look, you won't see any beaches from your bedroom window,its like an estate sitting on its own. Trust me go to Palm Cove and visit Port Douglas .I'm glad we didn't stay there. <BR>I'm not sure about the Regent but Sydney is a great city .If the weathers good It'll be a great 5 days absolutley heaps to see. <BR>I'm from Melbourne and I know the Hyatt ,I've been to a few functions there. Its big and glamourous like most 5 star hotels but for the same expense <BR>i would stay at the Sheridan at South Bank.Its 5 minutes walk into the city . <BR>Theres lots of atmosphere and restaurants and its close to national gallery and parks .lots of nice walks and they have a great Sunday Market. Its all very smart and chic and some interesting shops. <BR>Sorry I haven't been to Alice Springs,arn"t you glad!!!

Peg

Jim, There is a wonderful Tramcar Restaurant that trundles around Melbourne as you dine, it is a wonderful experience, but very popular so you would have to book before you arrive. We have become tourists in our own city as we think that there can be no better place to live. A couple of <BR>years ago an international group had a check list of all the things that <BR>make a city a livable place. Melbourne came out on top, so was voted <BR>"the most livable city in the world". Of course I am prejudiced, but i <BR>have travelled all over, and as much as I have found many things better <BR>in a lot of places, as a whole this is just the best place to live. <BR>It is a big city, 3 million people of a rich ethnic mix, but it is at <BR>once old and new, gigantic, noisy, quiet and cosy. Even as the skyscrapers reach up to the sky, there are quaint Edwardian and Victorian buildings that have been preserved by the National Heritage Trust. Our forefathers laid out wide streets and beautiful boulevards <BR>where the trams trundle along taking workers and travellers on their <BR>way. The Yarra river runs through the city, along it are parks and gardens where there are free BBQs. Workers in the offices often go there for breakfast or lunch, families go there on summer evenings, on the way to the football or rowers after their training sessions. Joggers and serious runners train on the 3 mile tan around the Royal Botanic <BR>gardens and then back to the office to shower and continue with the <BR>day's work. We went shopping at the sprawling Victoria Market a kaleidoscope of colours of goods ranging from canteloupes to carpets. It is hard to tell what country you are in, the mix of voices of vendors, languages and <BR>ethnic background from all over the world. <BR>We wandered along the river to Southbank, the centre of arts, the <BR>National Art Gallery, the Concert Hall, the Theatre Museum, The Casino, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, myriads of restaurants, buskers and boats to take you on excursions into the bay or up the river. <BR>We drove back home to Williamstown and then wandered along the foreshore <BR>looking at the city across the bay, stopped at a The Cake Box, chose <BR>from the delicious assortment, sat out at the kerbside table and felt <BR>that all is right with the world. Email me if you would like more info. Enjoy!!

Brian

<BR>I can't tell you much about the hotels you chose, but I know you will enjoy Sydney, Melbourne and Port Douglas. We were in Australia for a month in late Jan. and Feb. and thouroughly enjoyed most of the trip, especially the above three cities. Not sure why you would want to go to Alice Springs though. It is the only part of our trip that we would skip if we went again, It's hot, dirty and in the middle of nowhere. The flies are everywhere and there is really not much to do. If you want to see Ayres Rock, it's a days drive away. If you are only going to see the rock, then I'd suggest you fly there direct and skip Alice Springs. <BR>Sydney has lots to do and see. Make sure you check out the beaches, either Bondi or Manly. The latter is a nice ferry ride across the harbour and you get a good view of the city along the way. Darling Harbour, The Rocks and the Botanical Gardens are all within walking distance of your hotel. <BR>Melbourne also has a great downtown area and the river is lined with some good restaurants. We didn't stay in Port Douglas, but I hear it's good. Someone else I know stayed at Palm Cove though and they seemed to like it better. I would recommend a day trip to Kuranda. You can get there by cable car and train or better yet combine the two. Make sure when you get to the town you walk the full length of the street and then turn right. There are a couple of markets there that mant people miss and the prices for their goods are better in the open air markets. Also some good restaurants in town. Of cours, you won't want to miss the reef. It was a highlight of our trip. All the above can be booked right at your hotel and buses will pick you up at the door. <BR>Have a great time.