Hi there! <BR> <BR>I see that you all have such wonderful advice to offer, so I am going to ask you for some more! <BR> <BR>My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon to OZ for either September or Oct. 2002. <BR> <BR>We really want to get a taste of as much as possible, but are worried that we are going to try and cram too much in, therefore wasting days on flights between cities. <BR> <BR>Can you tell me if this itinerary is doable, or should we cut one leg of the trip off? If we should, I would appreciate your advice on which area we should leave out, and why. <BR> <BR>Thanks a million! Here goes: <BR> <BR>Night 1: Will be spent in flight from NYC to Sydney (am I correct on the amount of needed to get there from NYC?) <BR> <BR>Nights 2-4: Sydney <BR> <BR>Nights 5-6: Port Douglas <BR> <BR>Nights 7-10: Great Barrier Reef (either Lizard or Heron Island) <BR> <BR>Nights 11-12: Daintree Eco-Lodge <BR> <BR>Nights 13-14: Kangaroo Island <BR> <BR>We are HUGE animal and nature lovers, and avid snorkeleres and divers, so we want to experience the best Australia has to offer. And since we are coming around the world, of course we want to see Sydney! <BR> <BR>Your honest advice and opinions are so appreciated! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>Days 11-13:

Addendum to my post: I made an error - where I wrote Port Douglas, I meant Port Stephens. We want to go to swim with the dolphins, and what watching. <BR> <BR>Thanks!

Kangaroo Island is a huge detour for just 2 nights. Coming from the Daintree, it will be a 2-hour drive to Cairns. I don't think you can fly Cairns-Adelaide direct which will then mean a 2-hour flight to Brisbane, a 3-hour flight to Adelaide, and then a connecting flight over to Kangaroo Island. Then the reverse 2 days later before a long flight back to NY. <BR>Check closely your times/dates coming over. You may find you'll lose a day, crossing the dateline.

Swimming with dolphins at Port Stephens? I didn't know that was possible. It'd be a bit chilly for me to go swimming then. I know there are whale watching trips. <BR> <BR>Another option would be a trip to the Blue Mountains. <BR> <BR>I agree with Matt about the effort to get to Kangaroo Island for just 2 nights. Why not spend an extra night or 2 in the warmth of Qld?

Hi! I agree with all comments, especially Kangaroo Island. Too far to go from top end of Australia. I would fly directly from Sydney to Cairns(have an extra day or 2 in Sydney - you will have to get over your flight and you may be very tired the first couple of days - you will lose a day crossing the international dateline). Then hire a car in Cairns and drive to Port Douglas and get accommodation there. (don't stay in Cairns, not much there! - although do visit Kuranda (get the train up the mountain and then get the skyrail down the other side - fantastic!) The drive from Cairns to Port douglas is one of the best scenic routes you can take. Absolutely beautiful. From Port Douglas you can get easily to the Daintree, Mossman Gorge (by car)and lots of reef diving, snorkling day trips. You won't be able to stay at Heron island from this area of Barrier Reef as that is off the town of Gladstone which is miles and miles away to the south. Lizard Island is in the area though. I have been to the area and know it quite well. It's your honeymoon so you don't want to spend the whole time travelling. I believe it's best to spend a few days in sydney, then spend the rest of your time in and around the Port Douglas/Barrier Reef/Daintree area. You won't be disappointed. Plenty to see and do and absolutely beautiful. A honeymoon to remember and a holiday as well. <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR>Janine

Hi all! <BR> <BR>Thank you so much for your honest advice! I sincerely appreciate it. I will definitely be adjusting our itinerary. Will let you know what we wind up finalizing next month! <BR> <BR>Thanks again!

Hi Lisa, Comments above all make good sense to me - one note of explanation though - Lizard Island is a great place and I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed but Heron is a lot different - it comes down to what you would like to experience. Unlike Lizard, Heron is a true coral cay - effectively a sand bar that grew - and is quite different from most of the tourist islands on (near?) the Great Barrier Reef - by all means heed the wise advice to not pack too much in - just thought you might like to have a bit more detail - Enjoy - Graham <BR>PS - When in Sydney try to fit in the climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge - a memorable experience

Hi Graham, <BR> <BR>Thanks so much for the added advice. Would you say that we might be dissapointed in the other islands, in comparison to Heron? <BR> <BR>If so, we want to make sure that we are going to get the best snorkeling and diving in, since we are coming so far. <BR> <BR>But, do you think we will be dissapointed in the accomodations at Heron? I heard someone say they are shabby, and in need of renovation. <BR> <BR>Thanks a million for your help!!

Lisa, <BR> <BR>My wife and I just got back from Oz and loved it. I have to vote for Lizard Island - an UNBELIEVABLE place, especially if you are into luxury accomodations, seclusion, and GREAT snorkeling and diving. I cannot imagine a better place to spend part of your honeymoon. We stayed there 4 days and wished we had added at least one more day. Also, we stayed at Daintree Eco Lodge and found it interesting with an interesting setting, but we visited Silky Oaks Lodge and wished we had stayed there. A little more upscale and the setting is almost as unique as Daintree Eco. Please email with any more questions. <BR> <BR>Winston

I just got home from Cairns/Port Douglas. Flying from San Diego - LA - Sydney - Cairns took approx. 20 hours. We left Saturday night and got to Cairns Monday noonish. From NY you would have to probably fly to LA, so I could check with a travel agent about the times/dates. From NY that would be a long flight. I highly recommend sleeping pills for the long segments. They do show 4-5 movies between Sydney and LA, but I only watched one each time. Spent several days snorkeling/diving from Cairns and Port Douglas. You will love it! Try Reef Magic (Cairns), Aristocat or Personal Touch (PD-small boats) for snorkeling/diving, Wave Length for snorkeling only. Enjoy!

Kangaroo Island is really is too far out of the way for the rest of your trip. Spend the time up north. I think it will probably take 2 days to come from NY, so you'll want to rest up in Sydney. Lizard Is is fantastic and choose Coconut Beach Resort in the Daintree- your rooms are actually in the rainforest. If you really want to get near dolphins you'd do better stopping off in Brisbane(after Sydney) and going to Tangalooma Is (for the dolphins) and to Hervey Bay for whale watching.-better and warmer than Port Stephens.