We just returned from a few weeks in Oz and wanted to mention a few things which might be helpful.
We started with a week in Sydney and our family of 5 (three teenagers) stayed at the Quay West Suites in the Rocks. This was a great location and we got a good rate through the hotel's web site (they're part of the mirvac group).
Highlights of our week in Sydney included a night at the Opera with dinner at Bennelong (view better than the food-would recommend Aqua Luna or Aria instead pre-theatre.)
The Bridge Climb, Dal Myles Blue Mountain 4wd tour, Art Gallery of NSW and Australian Museum dinner at bel Mondo, lunch at Sailor's Thai canteen, would be worth revisiting. The Opera Bar was good as well. The Captain Cook Explorer Cruise was a good intro to the city. Buses were good but with five people taxis were more economical.

We then flew to Cairns-spent a few days at Thala Beach Lodge better for adults than kids and then several days at Sebel Reef House in Palm Cove which was great for the kids-right across from the beach. We used Calypso for our reef snorkeling and diving and they were spectacular-very personal and only 38 aboard. For our tour to the rainforest and Cape trib, we used Gary's Safaris-a spectacular day with an encyclopedic tour guide.

Post if any questions.

I read your report with interest as as we'll soon be in Sydney, also at the Quay West. We have a large family and I noticed you mentioned taxis working well for your family of five. Most regular cabs such as in New York City don't seat more than four. Is Sydney blessed with London type taxis that can hold a crowd? Just curious!

Any restaurants near the Quay West you'd particularly recommend or steer us away from? Our kids range from 9 to 15. Did you make your own breakfast at your apartment or eat at the Quay West restaurant in the morning? Is there a convenient grocery store nearby?

Thanks for posting! Hope you don't mind my peppering you with questions. We'll also be going to the GBR area, staying at the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas in a villa.

Dear drb,

Thanks for posting your report. I wonder how many days you were in Sydney. We have 5 days and also hope to squeeze an overnight to the Blue mtns into that time frame.

AndrewDavid

We were in Sydney for six days and then one before we left for the states. The Blue Mountains tripo is a long day and it would have been nice to have spent two days there. With only five days, I be more leisurely in Sydney-there's so much to see. Also, make sure you have breakfast or lunch at bill's on Liverpool St.

Miranda-

Most taxis in Sydney are for 4; you need to call ahead for one to take 5 but the concierge at the Quay West was quite helpful in terms of getting us what we needed (have them arrange your airport transfer to the hotel). Occasionally in town we needed two taxis but this was rare. We also used the ferry system frequently.

In terms of the Quay West, check their web site (www.mirvac.com.au) and they might have a special which includes breakfast. We had a two bedroom suite with a harbor view with breakfast (for 4) and parking for Au$465. A harbor view suite is worth it. You'll never tire of the view!!

As for breakfast, we ate at the hotel, but my teenager's say that breakfast at bill's was the best they ever had-we walked there after checking in following our early AM arrival.
For the kids, Giovanni's was quite good and the pizza place near the superb Ariel bookstore on George St was always packed. Sailor's Thai canteen (upstairs) was great for a couple of lunches. We ate at Doyle's at ciruclar Quay which was good. Dinner at bel Mondo (sans children) was great and I hear that Aqua Luna is wonderful but we did not eat there. (Check out www.mietta.com for restaurant reviews in Oz) Also, our kids enjoyed Zenbu in Darling Harbor. The convenience store next to the Quay West on Harrington is expensive; there is a Cole's Express grocery a couple blocks away on George St.

Any questions on the GBR: The Mirage is quite nice-we met some people at the Sebel Reef House in Palm Cove (across from the beach) who couln't get in to the Mirage.

Especially in Sydney, don't try to do too much, it's nice sitting at a cafe and just not planning too much. It's quite safe for the kids to be on their own together during the day as well.

Thanks for all your helpful advice, drb! It sounds like you had a great time and I appreciate all the specific suggestions.