You can also do a hot air balloon ride from Alice Springs. I did it, and it was fun. Not sure if there is one from Ularu / Yulara.

Oh you could be right Peter - I will see if I can find out about Uluru

Susie,
I would still like to know where on Cape York you think you can get to in a day at that time of year.
Alan

Thanks for putting me straight on the balloon ride at Uluru Peter_S_Aus - I can't find an operator at Uluru.

One way car rates are a rip off here because there are not enough people doing it to reduce the costs. Flying or going by train is the only easy way to go depending on the latter's departure and arrival times of course.

Hi Susie, If you skip the 6th of May trip to the GBR you will arrive at Airlie Beach a day earlier and could fit in a really special Reef Trip.Fantasea Cruises have the only unique Reef Sleep Accommodation in Australia and you can contact Jamie Ashton at http://www.fantaseacruises.com.au
for pre booking.You travel out with the day trippers and from 2-30pm when they leave until 11-00am next day you are basically on your own. 2 dives included and reef viewing from underwater observation is spectacular at night.Photo opportunity for magnificent sunset and sunrise.
Liz and I will be going in the next few days and if you want to read an account of our night spent out on the Reef keep checking our Whitsunday Page at http://www.queenslandarmchairguide.com
Have a great stay,
Alf.

If there is ONE thing that cannot be missed it is snorkling (well diving is better - you only have to go maybe 20 feet down) in the Great Barrier Reef. It is not cheap, as you have to go out to by a boat (we went from Cairns), but it is the most incredible wonder of nature I have ever seen in my life (and I have travelled all over the world). It is not even the fish, it is the coral, which is the most bright vivid colours you have ever seen.

Personally I think the Whitsundays are entirely overrated and we found to be a waste of time; having just come from Hawaii, this seemed entirely boring.

The Blue Mountains are beutiful and you can hike some beautiful paths (but make sure you bring lots of water).

We drove over 5000km in the 3 weeks we were there; from Sydney to Melbourne through Canberra (by the way the Snowy Mountains were like driving through a tropical jungle, with all the wildlife we saw) and then all the way up to Cairns. We truly got to see so much of Australia, stopping at so many places along the way, including the southern and eastern-most tips of the continent. Sometimes a holiday with no set itinerary can be the most rewarding! enjoy!

Ther's no way ballooning would be allowed anywhere near Ayers Rock! You can't control where they land, and to guarantee a flight over or at least near the rock would mean taking off at a different place in the national park each day. Park Management don't allow walkers off track in the park. They certainly won't allow 4wd with a balloon trailer. The chances of success, taking off and landing outside the park would be even slimmer.

There are already strict restrictions on aircraft over the rock. Compare it with Kings Canyon where choppers are almost always overhead.