JoanneH

Need advice..Trip down under Sept\Oct 2008 appx 4-5 weeks depending on how things work out.
Our current idea.
fly to Sydney 3 days\ Fly to Perth 5 days rent card drive around area
Fly to Darwin 3 days rent car drive around area take the train the one that goes through center of country back to Melbourne rent car drive around area 3-5 days
Fly to Tasmania 2-3 days
Fly back to Sydney 3-4 days
Then we take ship to New Zealand, Cook Islands, and Tahiti etc.

We have nothing special in mind to see, will be visiting a few friends along the way but otherwise open to any and all suggestions.

wallos

You are covering massive distances in a short time. Could you spend more time in less places? I think generally you will see more of the airports than the places. Each of your destinations is worthy of much more time.

Melnq8

Agree with Wallos - you're trying to do too much. Tassie alone could fill a month, 2-3 days just doesn't give it justice. Suggest you narrow your options considerably, otherwise your trip down under will be one big blur.

Jango

Wow, Joanne - lotsa airports and airtime there, which is fine if you like that. You are missing out on one of the bests parts of Australia though - the Great Barrier Reef.
To get an idea of what you have planned, it would be like starting in NY, flying to San Diego, then up to Minneapolis, taking a train down to Dallas, flying to New Orleans and back to NY. If you are very energetic and like to cram a lot into little time, then you will enjoy it.

fuzzylogic

Assume it is because of the friends you wish to see, and the advance notice you wish to give them, that you are planning so far in advance.

2008?? wow!!

I'd skip Melbourne and split the days you save between Darwin and Tassie. if you are going to bother going to the extremities then make it worth your while. Car hire in Tassie sounds good - but not for Darwin. Have you any thoughts on what you'd like to see in the area around Darwin?

happy planning.

chalclear

If you want to have a flying holiday, why don't you just go up and down in planes in your own country! Much cheaper!
I agree with the above posts. Whilst I understand you want to see as much as you can in the time you have, is it quantity, or quality you are after? I you can give us an idea of the type of stuff you like seeing/doing, we can guide you better.

Jango

fuzzylogic - "Car hire in Tassie sounds good - but not for Darwin". I have a different view.

The main attractions in Darwin itself are the Mindel Beach Market, jazz on the beach on front of the Casino, having a BBQ breakfast at East Point at (BBQ's are public - just press the button...) or going to the wharf for a Barramundi dinner. Spontaneous, non-bus trip type things. The town is quite spread out. Just out of Darwin are the picnic spots like Berry Springs and Litchfield Park. Then there is Kakadu. We visit Darwin often (son lives there) and think that anyone visiting really needs a car more than any other city.

tampatramp

could you please define some of your terms. By "down Under" do you mean Australia only or are you including NZ? Is 4-5 weeks round trip from your home or just in Australia? When you say "3 days" in xxx do you mean 3 full days- i.e. 4 nights or just 2 nights in the hotel?

If you have 4-5 weeks in Australia and you mean full days in said cities, then it is quite do-able. Even with the higher number of days it comes to 4 1/2 weeks.

I would not miss taking the train from Darwin to Melbourne (3 nights) since it would be a very relaxing break in your trip and give you a sense of how vast the country is. Although I would agree if you need to save some time 3 nights in Melbourne would be sufficient. NOTE: the train from Darwin, The Ghan, does not leave every day!
http://www.gsr.com.au/
Any extra time in Darwin would be well worth it.

Jango: I second your GBR suggestion. As for your USA trip how about NY to San Francisco, then take the train to New Orleans, fly to Tampa, then stop in DC on the way back to NY; 5 weeks: not a problem.

fuzzylogic

Jango - first - I took Darwin to be shorthand for that part of the Top End. And IMHO unless you have a lot of time it is just crazy to hire a car and drive to Kakadu, or even Litchfield. What are you going to see that way? hmmm? Well I'd guess you'd say Yellow Waters, Ubirr, etc. etc. All very fine but there is more to Kakadu. Ditto - Lichfield.

Now I appreciate that most posters on this site really do want to visit only the top 3 and want to do it comfort.

But maybe JoanneH isn't "most people".

As for Darwin City - jeez if you can't walk, take a cab. Far cheaper in the long run that hiring a car. And far less hassle - unless of course you stay in expensive places with plenty of free parking - but maybe the OP won't be.

But of course, now I realise, money to you is not an issue. you just MUST HAVE those wheels - but maybe the OP is more sane.
hmm?

Jango

fuzzylogic- I have no idea what you are babbling on about.

lizF

Fuzzy has been on the plonk again!

JoanneH

So much great advice! To answer some questions>
By "down Under" do you mean Australia only or are you including NZ?
4-5 weeks in Australia then the boat deal is appx 3 week.
When you say "3 days" in xxx do you mean 3 full days- i.e. 4 nights or just 2 nights in the hotel?
would not miss taking the train from Darwin to Melbourne (3 nights) since it would be a very relaxing break in your trip and give you a sense of how vast the country is. Although I would agree if you need to save some time 3 nights in Melbourne would be sufficient. NOTE: the train from Darwin, The Ghan, does not leave every day! Our Darwin friends told us this is worth the trip.
3 full days 4 nights was our thinking.
Ok so how would you break up the trip
say 4 weeks just in Oz.


Darwin because of friends