Planning a vacation for 2.5 weeks in jan/feb 2003, starting in Sydney. Would very much appreciate anyone's opinion of things/places we MUST SEE. I know this is hard to do, but if you had to do it, can you help us? Please be specific since we're 1st timers to Australia. TY!

Sydney for 4 - 5 days - fly to the Gold Coast for 3 days - fly to Cairns from Brisbane and stay the rest of the time in Port Douglas and/or one of the islands and see the reef and surrounds

Before you make definite plans, consider the weather. Jan/Feb will be warm and humid in Queensland, plus the wet season will be starting in north Queensland - if you don't like this type of weather, consider heading south instead of north.<BR>Try www.CitySearch.com or www.visitnsw.com.au for info on Sydney - I think they have a festival there in January.

Hi, Evan!<BR>Marj is right... Sydney has its summer carnivale in January, and there are usually lots of evening outdoor activities... movies in the park, outdoor concerts, that type of thing. It all culminates on January 26, which is (somewhat illogically) called "Australia Day", when there will be fireworks, tall ships on the harbour, and various water/sunshine activities. That's probably the day to make sure you're in Sydney, though it is celebrated in other cities as well.<BR>I don't really know whether you'd be best to go north or south.... north is quite beautiful, up in the area Liz described, but it will be extremely hot. Then again, ALL of Australia is hot in January and February... just make sure that, whatever you decide, you hug the coast... you wouldn't enjoy the inland at that time of the year (and I am talking about the insects as well as the temperature).

Thanks for all your input!! Anyone know if you can snorkel in Jan/Feb in the Reef or are the Jellyfish a problem?

You can snorkle on the reef, around the islands and in the coral cays but not from the beaches. You will get told where it is safe and where not to swim.