My wife and I will be in Perth for 1 week and Sydney for 1 week at the end of Nov beginning of Dec 2004.

We enjoy the outdoors and are very athletic. We have no itinerary and are looking for "must do's" in each of the areas.

Cheers

Jon

Must-do in Sydney for athletic outdoors people is the Spit Bridge to Manley walk. 10k along the foreshore, over a variety of terrain but none of it too tough, with the most spectacular views of the harbour you can get. Do it in the morning and you will arrive in Manly in time for some excellent fish and chips for lunch!

Must-do in Perth...hire and a car and get thee to the Margaret River. 3 hours drive to incredible beaches (major surfing, if you like to do that)and wineries. To me it's the perfect combo. Spend the morning on the beach, and the afternoon tasting wine.

Make sure you visit the Leeuwin Winery!

you might want to do a search on this forum for "Perth" then "Sydney". That would give you a good place to start.

You will be coming into great weather, dry and warm. So the outdoors/beach will be spot on.

For 7 days in Perth you might do
Perth - 1 day
Fremantle - 1 day
Rottnest - 1 day
then rent a car.
Spent 4 days touring the south west
Bunbury, Margaret River
Pemberton, Walpole, Albany.
Enjoy the beaches, Karri and Jarrah Forests.
Must see in Albany - whaling station, Albany Prison, Blow Hole and Natural Bridge. Plenty of Walks.

Hit the tree top walk in Walpole. Dolphins in Bunbury. Glouster Tree in Pemberton.

Rottnest for beachs, tour, walks and bike riding.

Having a smashing time

Bill

Fremantle is a good place to stay, better than Perth, it's a charming historic town with a lively atmosphere and great cafes/restaurants. Lots to see there, museums, historic buildings, waterfront, markets etc. Shipwreck Museum down by the waterfront restaurants is interesting.

Rottnest Island is worth the trip, ferry takes about 30 mins from Freo (can also go from Perth). Stay overnight if you have the time, the Quokkas come out to feed at night. Fabulous beaches, crystal clear water.

Mandurah is worth a stop, even if only for lunch, on the way to Margaret River. Beaches near Busselton and Dunsborough are great too.

Food for thought...
Kay

Must do in Sydney: Harbour Bridge walk, Bondi to Bronte walk, a day in the Blue Mountains including a substantial rainforest walk, fish lunch at Watson's Bay, something on the Harbour in a boat, a visit to the Hawkesbury River + maybe some jetskiing, Ferry ride to Many, Taronga Zoo, Opera House, Botanical Gardens, Balmoral Beach, .....

Nobody has mentioned New Norcia, north of Perth -- a very interesting old monastery with some artworks that may surprise you -- they look like they would be more at home in the Vatican Museum!

Do not forget to take the prison tour in Fremantle. We rated it a more enjoyable tour than Alcatraz!

Don't miss Kings Park in Perth...