I agree with a number of people in that you should see Port Douglas - it's the best jumping off point to see the Great Barrier Reef. There are dozens of choices from large catamarans to smaller luxury charters that do special snorkelling/diving excursions every day. In Port Douglas there is one of the world's truly amazing restaurants called The Nautilus. Book for dinner and be amazed- it is entirely candle lit in a cathedral-like space of palm trees. Oh,and the food is divine too.
The Mirage is OK, but the best hotel in the area is Silky Oaks Lodge. It's run by P&O the cruise ship company and is one of the world's better wilderness resorts. (Only 20 mins to Port Douglas) It does have a small swimming pool - but forget that and swim in the river that runs through the hotel - one of the best Australian experiences to be had.

I am planning to go to Sidney,Australia for New Years 2000. I have six weeks of time that I can spend in the South Pacific. Once I leave Australia I would like to island hop at my leasure on the way back to the states. My question is does anyone know of the best way to island hop in this area. Something like inter island airline, or a freighter that I could travel on part of the time.

<BR>I'll be a first time traveler to Australia with a friend. I'd like any and all advise on what to see and do. I'm interested in seeing and experienceing everything and am looking for anything that a first time traveler might miss or must need to see and experience.

Two friends and I will be coming down to Australia in early September. We are all 19 yrs old and are considering the "Oz Experience" bus tour. We will be there for 2 months and are interested in both having a good time and seeing the amazing sights. The package that we are interested in starts from Sydney and goes up to Cairns. Can anyone help me out by giving me an idea of what to see and where to spend the most time? Also is Ayers Rock worth the extra excursion price of $200? Any information is greatly appreciated, preferably by e-mail.

Hi, My mother and I will be traveling, for the first time, in November to Sydney (3 days), onto Canberra and Blue Mts. (4 days), and then to Melbourne (3 days). We would love any suggestions on what to see and what to avoid!!! Also we will be moving onto Auckland for 3 days and would love some advice on what to do while we're there. We are very excited about our November adventure to the South/Eastern Hemisphere and would love any and all advice. Thanks a bunch!!! Also any packing and traveling tips would be well received.

Kristina-My brother-in-law went to Ayers rock and said it was a waste of time and money-lots of flies, hot and really not all that remarkable. Cairns was great and had a really young atmosphere. Make sure you take a ride out to the reef and at least go snorkeling, no experience necessary! <BR> <BR>For something a little off the beaten path, we went to Kangaroo Island for a couple of days. Its not at all commercial and if you're into wildlife viewing, there's beaches filled with seals and parks with kangaroos, emus, koalas and we were even lucky enough to see an echidna (sort of like a small porcupine). <BR>