Where to visit
 

I am planning on visiting Australia with my husband for 2 weeks in the end of december and was hoping for some advice on where to visit while we are there. I was thinking we would spend new years in sydney and visit the great barrier reef but not sure how long to spend at those locations. Any opinions on those 2 places would be appreciated and any other location recommendations.

if you are talking about this year you need to remember its high season for holidays here. Sydney is really popular around New years eve for the fireworks.What do you want to do at the Barrier Reef? Its stinger season and I'm not sure of the implications of going in the water. Others will know better.

Honestly Im not too sure what we plan on doing at the reef but I'm sure we would want to atleast snorkel if it was safe enough. My husband cannot scuba dive but I would think about doing it if I could. we def need to do a lot more research.

1. For a two-week trip to Australia, do not plan on visiting more than 3 different locations. If you try to do more than that, you'll be spending too much time just getting places.

2. About the worst time of year weather-wise to visit the Great Barrier Reef area (Cairns/Port Douglas) is December and January. It is the wet season up there and not only do you have hot, humid, rainy weather, but also the chance for cyclones (hurricanes). In addition, it is stinger (deadly jellyfish) season, so you can't swim off the beaches. It's OK to go snorkeling on the Reef since the boats go far offshore for that, but you will have to wear a stinger suit which the boat will provide. If your dream is to snorkel off the GBR, then by all means, go. But you should be aware of the conditions that you will face up there at that time of year.

3. If you want to stay in Sydney over NYE, you probably should have made hotel reservations long before now. If you want to be there for NYE, you need to get cracking on booking something now.

4. Without knowing your interests, it's hard to recommend other places in the country that you might like to visit. When we lived in Australia, we had a very nice summer vacation in Adelaide and Kangaroo Island. We also did a driving trip in January along the Great Ocean Road. If I were going back to Australia in January, I'd look to spend a week in Tasmania--great time of year to be there.

Expect little in SYD on New Year's in the way of value. Hotel prices can TRIPLE and the city isn't cheap to start with. We lucked out when we booked the Sebel Pier One (now the Pier One Sydney, it's part of the Autograph Collection Hotels brand of Marriott) because it only jacked its rates 30%, not 300%, but that was years ago.

Your options will be tight now - Sydney was a NYE destination when we spent a NYE there, and it's far more popular now because there are more tourists from "Asian Tiger" economies (China, S. Korea, Singapore, Vietnam) - improved standards of living = they have more disposable income than they did a decade ago and Oz is relatively close.

Note also that the restaurants in Sydney jack up prices during holidays - part of the labo(u)r laws requires them to pay their people more for working holidays and they pass the increase on to you.

The reef is about 90-120 minutes off the coast of Cairns in north Queensland. That means a boat ride if you're thinking of diving or snorkling. And it means taking a real good bit of dramamine if you have any sort of queasiness.

We did a Xmas at Kangaroo Island as part of a week in South Australia. I discourage people from doing the same because when her majesty and I retire there, we don't want the rest of the world horning in on our preferred area.

These 2 places are good enough for spending new year and of course Sydney is famous for the firework and most importantly you should book ASAP otherwise you won’t be able to get it. For further queries you can visit http://www.hotfrog.com.au/Products/t...ns/Sydney-City

Hi Courtney,

Remembering that it is the peak summer period in Australia, the north of Australia is best avoided. You've picked two great locations for your visit. A few tips for each location.

1. Great Barrier Reef - Cairns is the best place to book a diving or snorkelling trip to the Great Barrier Reef. However, I wouldn't recommend to spend any time in Cairns. You could stay at one of the northern beaches near Cairns. See below for details.
http://www.remotetraveler.com/cairns...-do-in-cairns/

Alternatively, you can have a look at some of the Great Barrier Reef islands which are spectacular for their natural beauty and great for just relaxing.
http://www.remotetraveler.com/great-...-reef-islands/

2. Sydney is perfect at that time of year - try to make it for the New Year's Eve celebrations. You will need to book your accommodation now. Below are the attractions worth visiting in Sydney.
www.remotetraveler.com/sydney/things-to-do/

Lastly, consider a trip to the Blue Mountains which are about 2 hours from Sydney. Another stunning destination you need to see to believe.
www.remotetraveler.com/blue-mountains/

Happy travels!!

<<Lastly, consider a trip to the Blue Mountains which are about 2 hours from Sydney. Another stunning destination you need to see to believe. >>

The Blue Mountains are nice, but if you've been to any of the mountainous regions in the US or Canada, you won't be that impressed. The two easiest ways to get there are by car on a main road that traverses the area and by train. Neither will afford views on the level of, say, the Seward Highway south of Anchorage. If your time is limited, stick to Sydney.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I am trying to book very soon and I think this will help me make some decisions! Definitely appreciate any other advice!

Hi,

I am probably just echoing other people's opinions here, however I would skip Sydney on New Years Eve, try the Blue Mountains and then fly direct to Cairns. Don't worry about stingers as you can a) get a stinger suit and b) stingers are not as big issue on the main part of the reef.

Big Russ I respectivefully disagree with you. The Blue Mountains are nothing like the North American Mountains and have same fantastic incised sandstone gorges and cliffs.

An excellent trip you can do is to drive from Cairns to Mareeba (excellent coffee plantations well with a visit for coffee lovers). Then take the inland route to Port Douglas and return to Cairns via the stunning coastal road.

Cheers

Also think about Brisbane. Yes it will be hot and humid but it is a beautiful city with excellent dining options. Well worth a visit for a few days. Easy access to the southern Great Barrier Reef (direct flights to Heron Island). Also cheap flights to Cairns.

Brisbane is a hidden gem.

Hi, thought of maybe Queensland? I was looking around for some apartment accommodation around there and came across the Oaks Aspire Apartments Ipswich. Looks pretty good, I might consider. Take a look.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I really appreciate it!!

as the tennis is the last 2 weeks in January in January I hope you're stating longer and December is just your arrival time.