Travel from Sydney to Cairns
 

How far of a drive is this? Maybe it's out of the question but I checked the flights today and they're really high.

Currently, we're in Sydney for 7 days then off to NZ for 14. We either want to see the GBR or arrive in NZ earlier. 7 days in Sydney seems like way too long.

ally: Sydney-Cairns is about 1700 miles. It's a long drive and I wouldn't dream of doing it on a 7 day stay. Sydney-Melbourne or Sydney-Brisbane would be more reasonable. Flying to Cairns is the only reasonable option.

ally01 - about 3,000km - a long and grinding drive. Would allow at least week to do it in comfort and to see anything of the many stops on the way. Much of the road is only 2-lane and if you're stuck behind a slow vehicle it'll take forever. When you take into account fuel costs, overnight accommodation, meals, etc its much cheaper to fly.

Look Ally...you have to get this together....

book 3 nights in sydney thru www.wotif.com.au
try the russell or old sydney holiday inn
on your first morning in sydney walk up george street to the queensland holiday centre..take their best tropical queensland 4 day offer

fly to auckland...take two days around auckland

fly to christchurch..rent a car for 12 days...do a south of the south island loop.

Keep checking Qantas and Virgin Blue for seat sales. We got really cheap internal flights booking over the web when they had seat sales.

Sorry that I've been asking outlandish questions, as per John's bit of sarcasm. This trip has really crept up on us and although I've done many international trips, I'm least prepared for this one. Perhaps that is why I'm so fond of this forum.

We're booking a flight to Cains so now all that is settled plus we're using the services of a travel agent. That's the first time I've used one so wish me luck. She comes highly recommended from someone on this talk room. Thanks again for the help and understanding.