Tasmania! Do a search for a lot of info in the archives. Type "Tasmania" in the search box at the top of your page, highlight "Australia," click on "search," and notice the messages that come up on the left-hand side of the page.

PS: I'm a Roanoke native

I've driven down the Blue Ridge and passed through Roanoke. There are certainly similarities in landform, although of course not vegetation and wildlife. The Blue Mountains (that's plural by the way!) don't offer Fall foliage, but I think the Appalachians don't have anything quite like the vistas the Jamieson Valley affords (happy to be corrected if I'm wrong on that).

On balance though I agree that Tasmania would be optimal, but as you have very little time in Australia I think you'd need to sacrifice Melbourne - anything less than four days in Tasmania strikes me as just too rushed.

If you're locked in to Melbourne, though, I'm sure you'd be well satisfied with a diversion to the Blue Mountains. There's a very recent trip report here dealing with a side trip to the Mountains including the Jenolan Caves that might be of interest.

Cost is always an issue, but as you're coming all the way from Virginia, if you can manage a few more days you could still spend a couple of days in Melbourne and fit in Tasmania. If you're not comfortable with driving when you get there (the "wrong side" issue) you'd probably need to look at tour options, though.

As a matter of interest - although Tasmania is our smallest state it still covers a sizeable area, 68,000 sq km. (Virginia, about 111,000 sq km.)

Melodie, Betsy and Neil: You are wonderful. Betsy, I live in Smith Mountian Lake area. I go to Roanoke all the time to purchase Asian veggies for my cooking school. I am so glad to get on this chat room and get all the help. I will be flying to Australia from Bangkok and have not purchase the ticket yet. I may extend the time in Australia to 3 weeks. "Tasmania or bust". I can't wait. Thanks.

Purplerose,

That's so funny that you've signed your recent email "Tasmania or Bust"....I cannot stress how wonderful Tasmania is! And I know LizF will be seconding this and providing you with all sort of information.

I'm sure you've looked at Melbourne and seen the fairy penguins, but let me tell you, there's a much better alternative in Tasmania (besides all the other wonderful things) to the mass, over marketed experience you'd find in Melbourne!

Tassie is awesome!

Melodie

We have booked Stellar Suites on Wentworth in Sydney and Knightsbridge Apts. on George St. in East Melbourne. Both look very attractive on their websites, have kitchens for breakfast and lunch foods, and seem to be centrally located enough for access to restaurants for dinner and the sites. Both are WELL UNDER $150. a night US.

One last accomodation option in Sydney is the Castlereagh Inn opposite Hyde Park . I think it is different to the Boutique Hotel mentioned earlier in these posts. Some years since I was there but it was reasonably priced within your budget, self contained as Neil suggests and a great position near everything including grocery stores etc .As I am from Melbourne and don't stay in hotels here I suggest that you look at Wotif.com to get a feel for where to go. In the city you want to be around Russell / Exhibition /Swanston Streets or close to the as it puts you near theatres / restaurants / shops etc or if you do not mind a 20 minute lovely tram trip look at St.Kilda which is on the sea with a lot of tourist infrastructure or South Yarra with great shops and cafes etc all in easy distance of most things. J

John,
The Castlereagh Inn has become the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel! It is actually not on Hyde Park as there is a busy city block between them.
The Hyde Park Inn is opposite the Park, however.

Purplerose,

I'll be anxiously awaiting a trip report with details about your accommodations. We are planning a trip in August/September and would like to find some nice, but moderately priced rooms for some of the trip. We plan on splurging in some locations, but can't afford to do it every night.

Right now the thought is Sydney, Uluru, and Queensland. However, no arrangements have been made except for our flight to/from Australia. We are still in the research phase.

Hope you have a great journey!