We’ve been spending the last several months reading and developing ideas for our trip to Australia next June/July. Before we begin locking in things and actually spending money, I want to share our preliminary itinerary for reactions, suggestions, fine-tuning, etc. and help in allocating several days.

As a bit of background, we are from Chicago, traveling with our 14 y/o daughter. Primary interests are scenery, wildlife, hiking, GBR, and photography. We are looking forward to spending time in Sydney, but otherwise want to plan most of our trip to be outside of the cities. We’d like to limit intra-Australian flights to no more than three, for the purposes of both time and $$$. We tend to stay pretty active, but we would like one block of five days or so in the middle of the trip where we can settle into one place for a bit. In a nutshell, we’re looking for a solid first visit to the country with a variety of experiences and appropriate destinations for the time of year.

We will have 18 days/nights not including travel—latter half of June and first few days of July. The only thing set in stone at the moment is our air to/from Australia—into Sydney and home from Melbourne.

Sydney: 4 nights
Staying in The Rocks, probably at Lord Nelson.
We will probably stay in the city the whole time: harbor, bridge, opera house, Taronga Zoo, parks/gardens, etc.

North Queensland: 7 nights
Fly Sydney-Cairns
2 nights at Daintree Wilderness Lodge (daughter has her heart set on this): Daintree NP/Cape Tribulation, night walks in the rainforest, etc.
5 nights in Palm Cove at Melaleuca Resort: Lizard Island daytrip with Daintree Air, Kuranda and/or Atherton Tablelands, another reef trip by boat, etc.
We will rent a car for at least part of this week.

Red Centre: 3 nights
Fly Cairns-Ayres Rock
3 day/2 night Red Centre camping trip with Connections Safaris (fka Sahara) to Uluru and Kings Canyon; picked up directly from airport
1 night in Alice Springs at Novotel or Crowne Plaza.

Victoria: 4 nights
Fly Alice Springs-Melbourne
2 nights: TBD—see below
2 nights: Melbourne, maybe at Sebel Melbourne, to spend our last full day in the city.

As much as we’d like to spend time in Darwin/Kakadu, we figure we have to choose between that and the Red Centre—and our feeling was that North Queensland and the Red Centre would give us two very different experiences. But we’re still open and would welcome other perspectives on this.

Other than that, our main dilemma is how to spend the two days toward the end, prior to our last two nights in Melbourne. Our current thinking is to fly to Melbourne, rent a car, and spend a couple of days along the Great Ocean Road and/or in the wine-producing areas before returning to the city and dropping the car. Is this advisable, weather-wise, in early July? Could we wing it in this area for a couple of days and not have too much trouble finding a place to stay? The other option would be to add the days to our time in North Queensland and/or Sydney.

We welcome any and all thoughts before we begin booking internal air, tours, etc. Thanks, as always.

That all sounds pretty nice with the exception of Melbourne in the middle of winter. The GOR is not my idea of a lovely drive when it is cold and windy etc and I would not be suggesting going there at that time of year. Actually Darwin and the surrounding area is quite different from the Centre and totally different from North Queensland and the GBR and would give you a quite a different idea of the country. I think that the centre is the Outback whilst the area around Darwin and Kakadu is the "last frontier" so to speak. When Australians go to the centre i.e. Ayers Rock they usually make the trip to Darwin and Kakadu as well.

I agree with LizF. June/July is the best time of year to be in Darwin and Kakadu, with warm days and mild evenings. We were there in July 2006, and took an excursion to Kakadu -- a worthwhile trip to a unique part of Australia, and consistent with your stated desire to stay outside of cities for much of your trip. If you go, book your accommodation early, since this is the busiest time of the year in Darwin.
We travelled to Melbourne in July 2004. Weather was cool, with high temps in 50-60 degree Fahrenheit range. GOR was fine, but not as interesting as Kakadu. You will enjoy the crocs in Kakadu (and the tales told about them). You might consider also heading to Litchfield NP or Katherine Gorge as additional excursions in this area.

As an ex-Melbournite and someone who knows the GOR, it is lovely but July is not the best time of the year to see it (unless you get a freak clear day). In addition I think you may be underestimating how long it will take to drive to the main parts of it. It's approximately 2 hours drive to get from Melbourne CBD to Lorne (start of the GOR). Couple this with the fact that the driver can't see the scenery (too busy keeping an eye on the hairpin turns) and it may be a less than rewarding experience. At a better time of the year the GOR is the best combination of sea and temperate rainforest.
I do have an alternate recommendation for your time in Melbourne. If you are interested in wineries and wildlife then I would suggest a trip to Healesville and the Yarra Glen area. Even though your daughter is 14 she may still be interested in the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary. It's got some lovely displays of australian wildlife but the big attraction is their platypus enclosure. I can't state enough how unique this is, platypus are rarely seen in the wild since they are fairly shy and retiring and they don't travel well (hence why you don't see them out of Australia). I'm captivated every time I see it.
Yarra Glen is home to several wineries specializing in cooler climate grapes. I seem to remember that Moet et Chandon have an operation out there but I could be mistaken. There are excellent places to eat in Yarra Glen at several of the wineries.
Lastly, there are worse things that you could do than eat your way around Melbourne's eating districts. My favorite thing to do as a college student was to travel around the city for a moving dinner. Appetizer in Lygon Street (Italian), main course on Victoria Street (Vietnamese), finished by coffee and cake at either Brunswick Street or down in St. Kilda. (Note: these are all located in the inner city area but are not within walking distance of each other, but are on major tram routes).
The local newspaper in Melbourne is "The Age" and their website has a travel section which probably covers most of the above recommendation. (www.theage.com.au)

As a Melbournite the above is fairly good advice. The Platypus enclosure at Healsville is indeed a unique experience. The Penguins returning from their deep sea adventures at Phillip Island is also a year round attraction and a "must see". Incidentally it is usually referred to as the Yarra Valley if you are checking websites. Moet and many other wineries have outlets and restaurants there and are on the way to Healsville. The GOR is dramatic at any time of the year and because of the length of the drive and the scenery it is a world class attraction. I wouldn't let the Winter put you off as you would probably have the road to yourself. A much different proposition from the Summer when it can be very busy!

One cannot adequately do the Atherton Tablelands in a day trip despite many trying. There is just too much and if you do a night excursion to see the tree-kangaroos, it will be midnight by the time you are getting to bed in Palm Cove. Go to Kuranda. Save the Atherton Tablelands for your base on your next trip to north Queensland unless you skip the ordeal of the cold, blustery conditions on the beautiful Great Ocean road and spend three days on the Tablelands.

If you do the GOR at that time, wave to me as I'll be one of the bird watching fanatics struggling with the wind and waves to see a few sea birds!

What a great trip! You will love every minute of it as you are really get to see the diversity of Australia. Near the bridge in Sydney, The Rocks is a great place to stay - an historic precinct with lovely stone buildings. In North Qld, (where I currently live)its should be fantastic at that time of the year - balmy weather and good swimming - no stingers! but make sure you swim in a recognised swimming area, Make sure you get to dive on the reef out of Cairns - should be a dive of a lifetime. Two full days in the Daintree is good, some good boardwalks and the fireflys at night are great to see. Be careful at night on the boardwalks though - some are very slippery if not meshed. There is also a great canopy walk in the Daintree - http://www.daintree-rec.com.au/. Really worth visiting. I have spent the last three Easters in the Daintree with my family and they have loved it. I personally think the Wilderness Lodge is way overpriced but I'm not the market it is after - it does aim for the overseas tourist. It would still be an enjoyable and comfortable place. Try and find time to do a boat cruise to see crocs while here in the north - better than seeing them in a farm. I agree that the Atherton Tablelands take more than a few days. There are lots of lovely B&B's and scenic locations and it should not be rushed. Stick with the train ride up to Kuranda and ride the cable car down (don't do it the other way as it restricts your afternoon to the train schedule.)
the only option I offer instead of 5 nights in cairns is to spend those nights in the Whitsunday Islands. have a look on the net for all the things to do. You could go Sydney, Mackay (for the Whitsundays), then Cairns for the Daintree. Some fantastic diving and relaxing on those islands.
Yes, the Centre is completely different to darwin and both take time to see. be aware that it can get to zero degrees in the centre at that time if the year and the days can also be cold. I think, though, that 3 days is not enough. It really takes two days to see Uluru and Kata Kjuta. I travel a lot and always have and am always respectful of the environment, local culture etc but I think the latest nonsense being sprouted that people should not climb the rock so as to not offend the locals is just that - nonsense. I first climbed Uluru 25 years ago as a (fit) 20 year old and again about 15 years ago with my wife and again 5 years ago. I had a lot of contact with the locals during my time in the army and they have never had a problem with people climbing until recently so it is not a beliefs issue - it is a recent agitation. Climb Uluru - you wont regret it. Kings Canyon is also good - getting too touristy though. My recommendation is you spend another 2 days in Alice Springs instead of Melbourne. There is a lot to see in the Mcdonnell Ranges to the west of Alice as well as around Alice itself. Hire a 4wd and see Palm Valley, Standley Chasm, etc. You will love it and wont regret spending the extra time there. There is also heaps to see to the east of Alice but that is worth a trip of its own. It is a long way between Uluru and Alice via Kings Canyon so at least 8 hours of your three days will be in a bus. I have visited Alice about 15 times in the last 20 years or so and I only saw water in the Todd River for the first time last year. a a shock.
If it is a Friday night or weekend, go to an Australian Rules football game at the MCG - great experience. Catch a tram to St Kilda and walk along the beachfront and lunch at one of the fine restaurants. A great way to spend a day. It is also likely to be cold (for us N.Qlders)but you have picked a great time of year and have a great itinerary.
Bring a good SLR camera - the colours of the rainforest and the red desert are fantastic contrasts. I am a mug photographer but I realise if I take enough photos, I will jag one or two good ones.

Your daughter will love the whole trip but please remember they have different interests and attention spans to the grown ups. My son is 14 and is well travelled - most of Australia, Borneo, New Zealand etc - and sometimes he just wants to just watch tv or swim in the pool regardless of the scenery around him. My 8 yo daughter just wants to catch bugs.
I am planning a trip to Tanzania, Egypt, the Middle East and Singapore with my family for March next year so I understand the reading and developing ideas bit so if you want any more specific advice (like: is it easy to get to the Skyrail in cairnms to get to Kuranda ) please just ask. have a great time!

Cheers
Peter

Not sure why but none of my edits and typo corrections were saved. Sorry. I had added the following http://www.whitsundays-australia.com/

which I think will be useful as an option.

Cheers
Peter

Wow! Thank you all so much for the feedback and ideas. This is exactly the input we need...now comes the tough part. I'll share this with the family, and we'll be back with more questions.

Hi Ms Go. Consider using Virgin Blue's Happy Hour fares for your internal flights. We just returned from a month-long trip to Australia, where flew four segments on VB and were happy with the airline. I booked on the VB site (www.virginblue.com) several months prior to the trip.

Since the Happy Hour destinations and timeframes vary daily, you have to check daily, but if you're consistent (and compulsive), you'll be rewarded. Happy Hour fares are posted on the site from noon to 1pm daily AEST, which is 5pm here on the West Coast, at least I think it's 5pm--I'm not sure since daylight saving time is now in effect.

We printed out boarding passes for each flight 24 hours ahead of departure and got good seats. Desk personnel at our lodgings were experienced with this and were glad to do it for us. We just gave them our booking number and asked that they print out the passes as close as possible to 24 hours before departure.

A good site for comparing internal fares is www.webjet.com.

Thanks, Betsy, for the info and links. I've subscribed to emails from Qantas, but I'll start keeping an eye on Virgin Blue as well. That may help us out with Sydney-Cairns.

As far as I can tell though, Qantas is really our only option for getting to/from Alice Springs/Ayres Rock airports. Am I correct about this? I've been watching the Red e-Deals for a couple of months, and it looks to me like there aren't many discounts offered for flights to/from the Red Centre. I'm tempted to go ahead and lock in those flights once we're happy with our itinerary--but I welcome any input from those with more experience in this area. The Qantas Pass would have been helpful here, but we're flying to Australia on Star Alliance awards, so no go on that...

Also keep in mind that Jetstar fly the Sydney/Cairns route and their fares are usually very competitive.

Afraid I can't help with flights to the Center as we didn't go there. DH had worked there years ago and had no interest in visiting again. Maybe someone with experience will advise you.

Use the www.webjet.com site to compare Virgin and Jet Star fares. I found Virgin to be a better option for our dates.