I'm a woman in my forties, and plan to visit Australia in November: my first solo trip abroad. I'd like to visit Sydney, Melbourne, the GBR, and Ayers Rock--if that's not too ambitious an agenda for a 2-week stay. I'm thinking of having a tour company book the hotels and flights, but keeping my itinerary flexible--don't think I want to be w/ an escorted group that long! Any advice about using a company, vs. doing all my own booking? Agency recommendations? (I have a brochure from Swain Tours). Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

Diana:<BR><BR>I was in Australia last November for 3 weeks, and had a complete blast. I went alone as well. <BR><BR>I believe that Australia is one of the easiest countries to do without a tour. Everything is very easy to research and book. With the help from this forum and a few good guidebooks, I was able to create an itinerary and find great accommodations.<BR><BR>A few tips from me, a tourist (I'm sure other locals on this board can help you as well). If you're going for two weeks, I'd skip Ayers Rock. I didn't go there myself based on recommendations because I was going in November. I was told it may be pretty hot. Since you're going for only two weeks, it may not be enough time to enjoy the other cities. Although, I will say that your proposed itinerary isn't overly ambitious...there are people who have wanted to see the "entire" country in 14 days!<BR><BR>I stayed in Port Douglas, Melbourne, and Sydney, all for a week each. I am a certified diver, so P.D. was by far my favorite. The fact that the weather was perfect probably had something to do with it too (warm and humid, but great for diving!)<BR><BR>With the demise of Ansett, I don't know what the airfares are internally in Oz. I used the Qantas Boomerang pass (must be purchased outside US...each leg is usually around $160) for Sydney-Cairns-Melbourne, and used a Qantas internet special for Melbourne to Sydney for about $40 one way (I think). People will probably tell you that you could do better than the prices quoted on the boomerang pass, and this is true. However, the B.P. does allow you flexibility, which you mentioned. I tried to get out of Melbourne a day early to get to Sydney, but that leg was on an internet special. They said, "sorry charlie." So be SURE to read the fine print. I wasn't allowed to even stand by for a different time on the day of my departure.<BR><BR>I have a trip report here...you can do a search on my email address, and it will be under the heading "I didn't kill myself so here's my trip report." or here is the link to it:<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=3&tid=1330474&numresponses=8&st art=0&searchText<BR><BR>It has info on where I stayed, costs, etc.<BR><BR>Have a great trip!

Hi Diana,<BR>I think you could fit all those places in, in a 2 week timeframe, but I would be tempted to skip either Melbourne or Ayers Rock (probably Melb) so you have longer in each place. You could book flights and accommodation yourself if you wanted to via the internet then book day tours in each place once you arrive. <BR>A few websites that might help are:<BR>www.jasons.com.au<BR>www.travelmate.com.au <BR>www.qantas.com.au<BR>www.virginblue.com.au<BR> Kay

Diana:<BR>Can't imagine a choice of Ayers Rock and Melbourne and missing Melbourne. Have been to both places. Melbourne is a magnificent cosmopolitan city with many attractions. Not the least of which is a ride on the Great Ocean Road and all it has to offer.<BR>Ayers Rock on the other hand, is out there in the middle of the Outback all by itself except maybe for the Olgas, with not a whole lot to see. In my humble opinion the expense and time involved to get to it is debatable. <BR>Melbourne one the other hand is worthy of many a visit.

Diana -<BR>I have traveled quite a bit by myself independently (in my 40's) and recommend it highly. I went to Australia last August for 2 weeks and I think your itinerary is too ambitious for 2 weeks. I stayed 2 days (3 nights) in Sydney, then 7 nights in Port Douglas, 3 nights in Darwin (to experience the outback, mainly via Kakadu National Park), then 1 night at an airport hotel in Sydney before my flight back to the states. I loved Port Douglas, would have liked to have a few more days in Sydney (but did manage to do the bridge climb, which I highly recommend), and loved Kakadu, but could haved missed Darwin. The trip to Australia from the states is grueling, and if you do a lot of traveling within Australia, you are really setting yourself up for too much travel and pain, with not enough enjoyment.<BR>Martha<BR>

There are some small travel companies out there that can set you up with all your air and land arrangements as an independent traveler. I used one company www.nzadventureco.com that was able to blend in my costom needs with some smaller day tours. By doing this I was still able to do my own thing, but I took advantage of some fun group day tours as well. I have found alot of the larger companies to have higher prices than the smaller companies and staff that just puts together generic tours with out the real experience of doing it first hand.

Hi Diana<BR>We did our trip in March - 4 weeks. It was a truly marvelous trip and we planned it ourselves using the net. We loved Sydney (7 days) Melbourne (3) days the great ocean road was beautiful but I think I would have preferred to have taken a helicopter out to the 12 apostles. It's 12 hours round trip. Ayers Rock (Uluru) is unique and very spiritual (I almost wish we had stopped there overnight instead of 3 days) Now the Great Barrier Reef was marvelous for a week (we did Novatel Palm Cove and got a great internet rate) There was so much to do. There were tour desks at each hotel and they were very helpful. We booked some of our South Island NZ tour on the internet as we were assured that they sell out. For Sydney I would recommend the bridge walk (If you don't want to do the top then do the lower, you'll still love it - we did the lower) We saw a performance at the Sydney Opera House, took a dinner cruise on the harbor, cruised all over the harbor by ferries to Manly and Watsons bay and Darling Harbor. In Melbourne we walked up to the Princess theatre and got tickets to "Mama Mia" which was wonderful. At the GBR we went snorkeling on the reef, took the sky tram to Kuranda, took a cruise and had a ball. Most of all you will enjoy the people - they're patient with us and answer all questions. You're going to love it and you'll be going back - just like Mina and me!!!

Hi Diana, I have done most of my bookings on the internet. Try looking at Virgin Blue & Qantas Sites. The last time I travelled (March.02.) it was $77.00.(Aust.) Melbourne to Sydney.<BR>Sydney to Brisbane $139.00. Brisbane to Cairns $179.00. all one way, plus all the taxes which went with it.<BR>These fares are not at all flexable.<BR>2 weeks is not a long time to cover all you want to see. Ayers Rock you only need to stay 1. night. It is so far removed from everywhere else.<BR>You will be able to book all tours day to day at your hotels.<BR>If you search Queensland ...you will come up with a wealth of info.<BR>Enjoy your 1st. solo trip down under.