Hi! I'm looking for advice on a trip to Australia. We're trying to decide between Melbourne and Sydney. I've read tons about both but am hoping for an informed opinion! We'll be there for a week in September and are looking to stay in one place but do daytrips around the area. We're active - not interested in shopping and lying on the beach for 7 days. Looking for a good mix of culture, outdoors, and a full schedule with just a bit of downtime. Thanks for any help!

4 Million people ( and 2 million visitors) would say Sydney and 3 Million people and about 200,000 visitors would say Melbourne. The rest of Australia would say, Sydney 8 to 1 Melbourne.<BR>So what you read here will depend on how many from where reply.

I vote Sydney. More to see and do, and the city is beautiful.

A week in September. If you are decide on Melbourne, the Grand Final of our Football is on Saturday. 28th. Sept, meaning your accom. would have to be booked well in advance.<BR>I visit Melbourne very often, but I would have to say for wonderful viiws a room with a Sydney Harbour Viiw wins hands down....But the view isn't everything ! <BR>The reason behind more people going to Sydney . v. Melbourne I beleive is the international route.<BR>Melbourne has a lot of day trips to offer or if this was me I would hire a car & explore beyond the city. The Great Ocean road (3 hours.) is wonderful combined with a trip across the bay (1 hour.) to Sorrento, then roll onto Phillip Island (1. 1/2. hrs.), Wilsons Prom (1.1/2.hrs.)or up to the Gippsland Lakes (4 hours.)...if you wish to go to wineries they are just about everywhere in Victoria. The Yarra Valley is full of them.<BR>September is not beach weather.<BR><BR>Sydney offers wonderful harbour cruises or just go down to circular quay a hop on one of the many ferries. Maybe go to Bondi, Watsons Bay seems to be on all tourists maps, a day trip to the Blue Mountains or hire a car & spend a couple of days hiking.... Good luck.<BR>

G'Day! Pity you only have a week. I've lived in both cities and if it was me, I would fly into Sydney, hire a car (or 4WD tours) do Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, Harbour Cruise etc; then take the coast road down to Melbourne, do Yarra Valley Wineries, Penguin Parade and Great Ocean Road - get the best of both worlds! Enjoy. <BR><BR>Suzanne.

I have been a captive in Victoria for a year now and cannot wait to leave. The weather is appalling 90% of the time, there is nothing much to do unless you are into discos. The "tourist" spots have nothing going for them unless you are Victorian and that goes for their football too. <BR>All in all there is no contest. Sydney I cannot wait to get back.

Dani<BR>My vote for a week would be Sydney. There is SO much to do in Sydney - the Bridge, the Rocks, Blue Mountains.

No doubt about it!! SYDNEY fascinating, fantastic, gorgeous, great harbor, really, really nice, friendly people - climb the bridge (or don't) do a harbor cruise, check out Darling Harbor, the Rocks, Circular Quay, do a show at the SOH (check it out on the net) and just have a great time.

Hi, I have relatives in both cities, I have lived in both cities as well as Townsville. If you want info, just email me and I will provide you with my toll free number.<BR><BR>Thanks.<BR><BR>Nancy