Starrburst07

Hello Fordorites,

My husband and I are traveling to Australia for the first time. We'll be there May 14 - 26, so a full 12 days on the ground. We are the kind that like to settle in and get to know a place before moving on, so with that in mind, here's the itinerary so far:

6 days in Sydney (including a day trip to the Blue Mountains)
4 days in Melbourne
2 days: back to Sydney

I figured two destinations were good over 12 days. I am looking forward to seeing beautiful Sydney, enjoying great food, seeing an art gallery or two, shopping, etc.

I am 42, and Hubby is 55. Hubby is an athletic guy, and has been active most of his life, so I'm wondering whether this itinerary might bore him. (As much as he enjoys travel, he hates the planning part of it, so it is useless to ask him anything.)

My basic question: does my trip need sprucing up? Should I cut out Melbourne and head north to see the Barrier Reef to incorporate some nature? Or maybe head west and see Alice Springs? Aside from Sydney, what is a great place to see in May?

Thank you, your help will be much appreciated!

eliztravels

We've just done Sydney, 4 days, Blue Mountains, 3 days, and would heartily recommend the Blue Mountains for hiking and out of doors. You might want a night up there so you would have a full day to explore. We took the train up and back and were able to go straight to the airport with just one change. Not too sure what the weather would be like that time of year.

In Sydney there is always the bridge climb or much cheaper pylon climb, or a walk across the bridge for some physical activity, and ferries to several destinations for some fresh air. We only barely scratched the surface in Sydney, because like yourselves we like time to get our bearings and not cram too much in.

I haven't yet been to Alice Springs or Melbourne but if I had to choose I think I'd pick Alice Springs because you would get to see the outback which is so very distinctively Australian. Others here will be able to tell you if that's realistic given your time constraints.

AlanJG

What you have sounds good. Lots to do in each of those cities and their hinterlands.

ivenotbeeneverywhere

I would head for the north and the GBR where you can go inland a little and see some of the "outback" and also see Aboriginal culture in and around Cairns. May is getting into winter and Melbourne is in the colder area of Australia which means that it could be rather cool and not altogether pleasant whereupon May is beautiful in the north around the GBR and the weather will be at its best.
In my view Melbourne is just another city with nothing particularly special about it.
What I would do would be to have 5 days in Sydney initially, 6 days in Cairns and surrounds and a final day in Sydney. You would get a broad selection of Australia with the nature around the GBR being some of the World's best.

longhorn55

Yes, your trip does need sprucing up. As an active 50+ person myself, I would be totally bored with this itinerary. Having visited Australia many times and having lived there for several years as well, I think you would get a better feel for the country by dropping some of those days in Sydney, skipping Melbourne and adding one or two other more unique destinations.

I think a total of 5 days in Sydney (including a day trip to the Blue Mountains) would suffice. I would plan on 4-5 days in Far North Queensland (Cairns and/or Port Douglas) to enjoy the Reef and the Rainforest. For your final 2-3 days, you could do a number of things: 1) Go to Uluru (skipping Alice Springs), 2) go to Melbourne (if you really need a big city fix), or 3) go to Canberra. You can visit the excellent museums there, including the National Gallery of Art AND do active things like hiking, mountain biking, regular biking, etc. There's lots of wildlife close to the city and a great place to see a lot of kangaroos in the wild (and some Aboriginal drawings) is on the Yankee Hat Hike in Namadgi National Park right outside of Canberra. And, if you are up for an adventure, Canberra is a great place for hot air ballooning--you fly right over the city and it's a blast! (If you haven't already guessed, #3 would be my choice.)

Susan7

I agree with Longhorn, I would cut down your time in Sydney and skip Melbourne. Both cities are great but they are not the unique features of Australia: the reef and the top end are the key tourist destinations. Go to Far North Queensland and possibly the Red Centre (Alice Springs, Uluru. Other possiblities are Kakadu or Tasmania.

Starrburst07

Thanks Everyone for your responses. As many have suggested, I am cutting back on the number of days in Sydney, and skipping Melbourne all together. I think spending 5 or 6 days in the GBR area sounds like it'll be a lot of fun. Since receiving feedback here, I've been looking into what all there is to do up north, and there is definitely enough to keep anyone busy for a long time!

Your help was much appreciated

Poida10

Sad you're skipping Melbourne. There's sooo much to do, plus walks/hiking and exploring for active people. Been to the GBR...sooo over rated. Sydney? It has the Blue Mountains, a bridge (what's the big deal?) and a strange looking house on the water front. Doesnt sound like it has alot to offer to me.

StewR

If you only have 2 weeks in Oz then my suggestion is give the major Cities a miss they are after all another city just different people I would do Kakadu GBR and the Uluru this would give you an insight but if you are wanting to go to a major city then use them only as a base and a break Sydney the blue , mountains Melbourne you have the great ocean road, the Grampians for a fit hubby to walk in, and Tasmania it has cradle mountain again a good walk and fantastic views for both of you. so much to see so little time I have been there done that, we spent 10 days in Tasmania and saw very little of it there is so much to see and do so that is a cross section for both you and hubby to do a mix of culture for you and a bit of exercise for him.

ivenotbeeneverywhere

Poida10 - you are kidding right? Do tell us when, for how long and where did you go when you went to the GBR area. For what its worth I guess you are more of an expert than Sir David Attenborough who says that the GBR is the most diverse and wonderful place on earth for flora and fauna. Or are your rose tinted Melbournian glasses slightly cocked?

AlanJG

If coming to the Atherton Tablelands to see the wildlife and scenery don't forget to bring a light coat as the evenings can be cool in May. It is also often wet, not a lot of rain, just enough to make you damp.

TLWADD

Highly recommend spending your holiday in northern Australia considering the time of year. You will then have perfect weather for outdoor activity being the 'Dry Season' in tropical regions.

Sue_xx_yy

We left Uluru/Queensland etc. for our second trip to Australia. I'm glad we did.

We loved the Great Ocean Road near Melbourne, far more than we expected. Kangaroos, koalas, an echidna, penguins, eucalyptus tree stands, starry night skies - loved it. We had only 5 nights for Melbourne - GO Road and I could have easily used 2 more nights. As for the city proper, the art gallery in Melbourne blew me away - great European AND aboriginal art. Loved the bike system in Melbourne. Fun city.

Sydney was nice, 4 nights made a nice first visit, 5 would not have been excessive. The Blue Mountains are okay on a day trip, but an overnight would have been really nice. Good hiking. Loved the Rocks area, and finding the excavations of old convict-immigrant homes.

Lezzee - that's 7 + 5 = 12 nights. About the length of your trip!

Others here are far more experienced than I am, so their opinion is important. But if you just stick with your original idea, I don't think you'll be bored.