My wife and I are currently planning a trip to Oz beginning October 12, 2007, and returning home November 16, 2007. We are visiting as follows:

Three nights in Port Stephens
Two nights in Sydney (been before)
One night in Bateman's Bay area
One night in Lakes Entrance area
Two nights in Melbourne
Three nights in Hobart
Two nights at Woolmers in Longford, Tassie
One night in Apollo Bay area
One night in Mount Gambier area
Five nights in Adelaide (visiting friends)
Three nights in Busselton area
One night in Hillarys Harbour area
One night in Geraldton
Three nights in Monkey Mia area
One night in Geraldton
Two nights in Perth
Fly to Sydney airport and spend the night
Fly home

We've gotten good comments and suggestions from board members in developing this itinerary and appreciate all the input.

We are now ready to book and will be able to do so next week. The timing for our trip has been based on trying to get relatively good weather in each of the places we'll visit. In addition, we want to be home on Friday, November 16, in order to prepare to have the family in for Thanksgiving.

Comments on the above itinerary are welcomed. My key question at this point is whether or not there is any benefit to our beginning our trip sooner? We can depart anytime we wish.

Many thanks,
BigBlue

Hopefully someone from W.A will write in and tell us exactly when the season is for wild-flowers because if you are going to Western Australia it might as well be in the best time for the flowers which are spectacular. I used to live in WA but cannot remember just exactly when the best time is. Anyway that is the only criteria I would make for a time change. Tasmania at that time is lovely as its spring and everything is in bloom and everywhere else is at its peak too.

My neighbours go every August, and this link suggests September to November, so it probably depends on season & location.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribb...02/default.htm

Hi BigBlue
I'm pleased to see that Port Stephens is top of your list!
I'm a local, so just let me know if there's any info I can help with.
Port Stephens Tourism web is www.portstephens.org.au
Happy travels, Di

I would recommend two nights at Monkey Mia and three nights in Perth. I was in Perth last winter and there is a lot to see there. Don't forget Rottness Island and Fremantle.

Are you flying from Adelaide to Perth?

One of the best things about this board is the spirit of friendliness and helpfulness. This is in sharp contrast to a cruise board to which I posted yesterday only to have one of the bulletin board bullies verbally assault someone who had piggybacked onto my posting.

So, first, thanks to each of you for your comments, welcome, and the useful website on wildflowers. Yes, we will fly to Perth from Adelaide. And, as an update, we are trying to improve our departure date from October 12 to September 28.

Cheers,
BigBlue