I am leaving in a few weeks for 22 days in Australia - I'll be going to Sydney, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, Tasmania, Perth, and Monkey Mia. This seems to be a good trip for a video camera, but I am wondering if it will become a hassle. I'll have to have it with me most of the time (I plan to check the hotel websites for info on inroom safes), get the appropriate adapter/converter for recharging, and the extra weight might get annoying. Can anybody who's been there recently give me an opinion?

Take it. I know it can be a nuisance sometimes but every time we leave ours at home, we wish we had it. It will pick up so much more than a still camera and since you are going to so many great places, it will bring back memories of your trip.

By all means, take the video camera. But I do have a suggestion. If you do not already have one, get a new digital video comera. Mine is so small and lightweight it can even fit into a jacket pocket. I almost forget that I'm carrying it. And if you have or plan to get a Mac computer with the iMac editing program, you can do your own editing when you get back home. That's the fun part!

I agree with the previous messages. I never regretted taking my video camera on my trips to Australia...along with a bulky 35mm. I carried both cameras with me each day in a small backpack, rolling up the video camera in thin, plastic bubble wrap. My video tapes and photos are my favorite souvenirs!