I have never been to Australia before and have managed to piggy back on to a business trip with my husband. I am hoping with the wealth of knowledge out there, I might be able to get some suggestions. I recently went to Japan and the info I got on this forum was priceless.

This is what I know...
We will leave about 2/4 and return approx 2/19.

We are thinking of going to Sydney, Melbourne (must go 2/8 thru 2/12 since this is where hubby's biz is) and GBR. Not sure we can afford to stay on an island so we are thinking Cairns or Port Douglas.

Questions:
Sydney
Do we need a car in Sydney? Is 2-3 days there too short? Should we stay in the city center or Bondi (my hubby says Bondi...he's been before. He surfs)?
Accommodation recommendations

Melbourne
What can a woman do on her own so she doesn't have to watch a skateboard competition? Probably without a car.

Accommodation/Must see recommendations

GBR
Do we need a car?

Has anyone heard of the this sailboat that you can sleep on and go to several dive/snorkle locations?

Accommodation recommendations?

Rainforest tours recommendations?

I know this is pretty wide open, but any and all suggestions would be great.

Some comments..

we use the british 4/2 for 4th february..can get confusing.

your overall plan is good.

you don't need a car in sydney.
the idea of staying at the beach in feb is a good one...i would consider Manly over Bondi.

what accommodation level are you thinking of?

take the williamstown ferry in melbourne.

night be good to have a car in far north queensland.
you might be thinking of atlantic clipper for reef tour.

I'm sure some can say that 2-3 days in Sydney isn't enough, but if that's what you have, then that's what you have. And you can have a great time in 2-3 days. For a tourist, I think you're much better off in the Rocks or another centrally located area rather than Bondi. But if your husband is going to spend a lot of time surfing, then Bondi might be worth it for you. We stayed at the Rendezvous Stafford in the Rocks and it was a good place. We were without a car there and I'm glad we were.

Melbourne- if you like to shop, then you'll have no problem keeping yourself occupied. And you won't need (or want) a car. The tram system is spectacular and makes it incredibly easy to get around. LOTS of shopping options, along with the other touristy spots. We stayed at the Holiday Inn on Flinders, though in retrospect I wish we'd have stayed a little closer to Swanston St. than we did.

When we went to the GBR, we got a shuttle from Cairns to Port Douglas and never had a car. It worked out just fine. Stayed at the Hibiscus Gardens, though I wouldn't necessarily give it a resounding endorsement. Decent enough place, but you can do better. As for the rainforest tours, I'll recommend Pete Baxendell forever. It was the best day of our two weeks in Oz.

You're not wrong John, if angelsix hadn't mentioned return date of 2/19, starting date could easily be taken as 2nd April.

angelsix, you are probably thinking of Atlantic Clipper owned by Down Under Dive - there are a couple of other liveaboard sailing/snorkelling/dive trips. The schooner "Santa Maria" gets good reports - you can find it on www.reefcharter.com Both are out of Cairns.

Tours out of Cairns and its northern beaches/Port Douglas will pick you up from your accommodation; some reef trips include transfer charge in cost of trip, for the smaller tours there's usually a charge. So a car isn't necessary unless you feel like doing some exploring on your own.

as ex-resident of Sydney's northern beaches, also recommend Manly over Bondi.

Angelsix66: If you give us some ideas of your interests, I'm sure we can fill in a few days in Melbourne for you (LOL) There's SO much for a gal on the loose ... cultural, theraputic (retail, that is!)sightseeing, eating.

I've lived there & loved it! You don't need a car either in Sydney or Melbourne.

In Sydney, I think either closer to the CBD or Manly would be more interesting than Bondi both in terms of accommodation and things for you (both) to do & see. Surf's great in Manly, too.

I would re-think about staying at bondi, personally I think you would probably enjoy manly more and if you want to go into the city you can always catch a ferry there. Bondi is great to visit but I wouldn't stay there

Hi - just to add that if the surf isn't significantly better at Bondi (I wouldn't know) then Manly is much nicer - more laid back, has harbour and ocean beaches; some excellent walks. It takes 30 mins by ferry (a proper boat) to the city or 15mins by Jetcat (really a commuter service so last one back is at 6.45). From Bondi to the city there's only road transport and even by taxi it wouldn't be much under 30 mins and could be a lot more!

Things to do in Mlb - depends on what you enjoy - the newish Art Gallery of Victoria offshoot devoted to Australian Art is well worth a visit, and you could see whether you like the architecture of the surrounding Federation Sq. Migration Museum is good too. shopping - of course - everything from the very expensive to factory outlets for high street labels.

If you like Asian, & especially Japanese, food - make sure you try the Chocolate Budda in Federation Square.

Also in that area (as well as the excellent Ian Potter Art Gallery), the Horse racing museum is very good. The Victorian Art Gallery and Southbank are just a stroll across the bridge. There's a weekend (Sunday, not sure about Saturday) along the riverside level of Southbank.

You might like to take a short boat trip along the river - jettys just near the bridge.

That would be a weekend MARKET near Southbank!

Some more suggestions for Melbourne.
Take the tram to Melbourne Zoo.
Visit St Kilda on Sunday for the art and craft market - great for people watching - and then walk a bit further to Acland Street for fish and chips or continental cakes.
The Ian Potter Gallery at Federation Square has a fantastic collection of Australian art. Just across the bridge is the Victorian National Art Gallery which is excellent. The Migration Museum in Flinders Street is also good.
Take the ferry to Williamstown, wander around the town and have lunch.
For shopping, Chadstone is one of the biggest shopping malls in Australia and has a large range of expensive and not-so-expensive clothes shops. You can get there by bus from the city.
Take the tram to Bridge Road, Richmond for factory outlets - you'll find them along both sides of Bridge Road.
You'll find Myers and David Jones in the Bourke Street Mall - good department stores. Queen Victoria Market is a must - get some coffee and croissants at the French croissant shop in Elizabeth Street near the market.
If you are into gardens, the Botanical Gardens are worth visiting.
Don't forget the free City Circle tram around the CBD - look out for the brown old trams.
Hope you enjoy our city.

I'm going to disagree with the others and say Bondi over Manly. I like both and I've lived at both and it's just my preference.

Manly is very nice and there are some great places to eat (as there are in Bondi as well). However transport is much easier in Bondi as there are buses every few minutes which will take you to Bondi Junction where there is a great shopping centre and train station or directly to the city.

The trip to the city is a more scenic one from Manly but quicker from Bondi.

I'm not sure which one is better for surfing, I'll ask some friends and get back to you on that.

Melbourne, as someone else said-shopping, shopping and more shopping.

On the subject of which has better surf Bondi or Manly there is no correct answer as prevailing winds and water conditions mean there's a different answer on different days - but while your husband is surfing, Manly has probably got a lot more of interest for you. Try snorkelling at Cabbage Tree Bay at the Shelly Beach end of Manly - it's a marine park with loads of fish, groupers and weedy sea dragons and the odd turtle and dolphin visiting

So far this is helping quite a bit. So thanks to all of you.

Here are some details about "things we like"...Food is definitely a priority, art/culture, a little pampering never hurts. We are ridiculously young hearted (ie-we have a huge toy collection, enjoy kitsch and the bizarro).

I have been doing further investigating and here is my dilemma...will I ever get to go to Australia again? Who knows. Do we splurge and stay in the Daintree for a few days and on one of the islands for a few or stay mainland and take tours?

There are some packages where you can stay at Silky Oaks and then on Dunk Island as well as some even more extravagant options. Help!!!

angelsix66 - I wouldn't worry about trying to see everything there in Australia, in case you don't visit here again. Just pick out what appeals to both of you, and enjoy.
The best memories you will take with you, will be those of new friends you meet, funny times, and new experiences in life. Resorts & Islands can sometimes look the same after a while.
I tend to stay on the islands, that a little bit off the tourist track (eg. Brampton Island is a nice distance away from the Whitsunday Islands)
You really need to do some self analysis of "what you & your husband" enjoy in life, and would like to see.
Some of the best holidays that we have experienced, is where we "based" ourselves in one location, and thus allowing us to fully experience the particular culture, or people that live in that country. I guess you can understand where I am coming from, its like trying to compare the experience of either staying in an Italian hilltop village to that of running around Italy in an organised coach tour.

Melbourne- you definitely don't need a car unless you want to 'do' the Great Ocean Rd (2 days) The CBD is adequately covered by the circular route tram. The Immigration Museum (william and Flinders) is excellent and so is the Art Gallery in Federation Square. Botanical Gdns fantastic.
Excellent restaurant on Southbank- 'Pure South' all Tasmanian produce.

you have all been so very helpful. bad news...my trip just got cancelled. good news...there is super cheap airfare to Japan, so we are going there for now. we still plan to go to australia later this year.

since we are no longer subject to a work schedule, when should we go? now, anything is possible with the trip, so please feel free to suggest some other spots we may want to go. we are not typical tourists (i like to think) since work allows us to go to many other countries. we try very hard to split our time between "must sees" and more local experience. any suggestions are good ones.

i will continue to use this forum to really work out the trip. i had such a good experience with it last time i went to japan.