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Australia in 2 weeks: are we crazy?

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Australia in 2 weeks: are we crazy?

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Old Mar 25th, 2011, 12:59 AM
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Australia in 2 weeks: are we crazy?

Hi all--

My husband and I are in the initial stages of plannning our trip to Australia. We've got about 2.5 weeks to take it all in ( arrive April 21 and depart early morning May 10). We're aboslutely overwhelmed with choices!

So tell me....can we make all of these stops in 2.5 weeks without killing ourselves?

Melbourne
Sydney
Uluru/olgas
Darwin/Kakadu National Park
Perth (departing Australia from here, so we don't have to include time for a return to Melbourne)

We haven't gotten so far into planning as to know the number of days at each stop. These are just the stops that have peaked our interest and we're trying to figure out if we can do them all in one trip.

Please feel free to tell us we're crazy and to suggest alternate itineraries. My husband and I are young and energentic. We want to split our time between the cities and the wild: good food, live theater, camping, and hiking are on our must-do list. I'd love to get a taste of the outback, but realize there's just not time to do it all in one trip. We're not really into beaches, and are ok with missing out on the Great Barrier Reef.

Thanks in advance!
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Old Mar 25th, 2011, 06:10 AM
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<b>"We haven't gotten so far into planning as to know the number of days at each stop. These are just the stops that have peaked our interest and we're trying to figure out if we can do them all in one trip."</b>

I think you need to do this first and you may be able to answer your own question. My initial impression is that it is too ambitious. Be sure to add in about ½ day travel time (including ground transportation time to/from airports) between various destinations. Your Fodor's profile does not indicate where you live, but if it is the US, don't count on the day of arrival as being very productive. The jet lag will really hit you. So, that first day may only be ½ day at best when you factor in some down time.

Kakadu National Park is a great destination, but, given your its (and Darwin's) relative isolation, I would opt for the Cairns/Port Douglas/Cape Tribulation/GBR area instead. If you are going to Uluru, you will have a good outback experience. The tropical north will be a different type of experience even if you are not interested in beaches. If you don't have a very special reason for going to Perth, I would cut that out too. It's way out of the way.

If you are in the "initial stages" of planning your trip for <b>next month,</b> you have a lot of decisions (hotels, domestic flights, maybe local sightseeing) to make <u>fast!</u>

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Old Mar 25th, 2011, 08:45 AM
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With only about 18 days, I would stick to 3 areas, 4 at the absolute max. I would go to only one major city - the wild parts of Australia are what makes it unique.

Irrespective of whether you go to the reef or not, North Queensland is a great destination. There is a lot to see and do, including inland areas with great wildlife and Outback feel. You could easily enjoy 5 days up there, if not more.

As for the Northern Territory, if you go to Kakadu, also take time for Litchfield Nat'l Park, and if you go to the Red Center, do consider Kings Canyon in addition to Uluru and the Olgas.
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Old Mar 25th, 2011, 11:13 AM
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Crikey! I don't think so!

Melbourne - Sydney - allow an hour plus forty minutes at each end plus an hour and a half flight = say 5 hours travelling time

Sydney - Uluru - an hour and forty minutes plus about 3 hours flight time = 4 1/2 hours

Uluru - Darwin- about 2 1/2 hours I believe then a 3 hour drive to Kakadu = 5 1/2 hours

Darwin - Perth - 3 hour drive from Kakadu plus 4 hour flight = 7 hours

Where do you fly in? If it's Sydney I'd suggest a week doing the Rocks, the zoo, climbing the Harbour Bridge, catching some theatre (Belvoir, Sydney Theatre Company, Stables, Opera House special shows, look online) and doing one or more of the wonderful Sydney foreshore walks (The Spit to Manly, Bondi to Bronte) plus a day trip to the Blue Mountains and maybe even overnight in Leura or Katoomba if you want to do some bushwalking. There are plenty of internet sites that describe walking in the mountains but be aware it is proper wilderness and people do get lost there and occasionally don't make it out, so you will need to inform yourselves about the proper safety precautions and not go off unprepared. Great restaurants - see Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide.

If you fly into Melbourne I'd spend a similar week there - again plenty of eating, theatre and a different but equally wonderful natural environment within easy reach - the Great Ocean Road comes to mind for one.

Then I'd fly to Uluru and spend a couple of days there doing the base tour and visiting the Olgas. Alice Springs is also interesting though several hours drive from Uluru - have a look at what some of the tour companies offer around this area. And I agree with RalphR about Kings Canyon. You could organise a great 4WD camping trip in this area.

If you must fly out of Perth I'd spend the rest of the time in that area exploring the Margaret River (http://margaretriver.com/pages/attractions/) and some of the national park environments. If you don't have to fly out of Perth, I agree with Orlando_Vic, it's a very long way.
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Old Mar 26th, 2011, 10:01 AM
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Thanks for the very useful information.

To address a few points:
-my husband and I don't have to fly in or out of any specifid city, as long as it's serviced by a non-stop flight from Dubai. We can also fly into and out of different cities.
-The only reason we planned to go to Perth is that we heard it was nice, and we wanted to visit some vineyards. We also thought it would be interesting to get off of the Sydney-Melbourne-Uluru-Reef loop that seems to be the standard itinerary. But you all make it sound like the trip to Perth isn't worth it.
-we live in Kabul, so at most we're looking at a 6 hour time difference. Nothing unbearable.
-Given that we live in Kabul, as wonderful as the Australian wilderness might be we definitely want some city time. We need restaurants, food, theater, and normal city life like no one's business!

With that said, give me your Australia bucket list. If you could go anywhere and do anything in the country for 2.5 weeks, what would you do? Keep in mind that we're open to doing things that are off the beaten tourist track!

Lastly, for mbloggs....are you suggesting that we do either Melbourne or Sydney, but not both?
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Old Mar 26th, 2011, 07:32 PM
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I'm sure Perth is nice, but NSW also has lovely vineyards not far from Sydney, which would make your holiday more "see and experience" and less "travel time and waiting around airports" - hire a car.

See www.visitnsw.co.au and search "Hunter Valley". With deep pockets, you could stay where Oprah's guests stayed. Our wines are delicious! The Blue Mountains, two hours west of Sydney by car or train, is also a great destination, and this is a great time of year for it.

I've just spent a few days in our Capital City, Canberra, only a few hours drive from Sydney. It's beautiful in the Autumn. A "bush" city, with kangaroos (saw a mob on Friday, driving near where my son lives) in a wonderful setting, free museums and memorials of world class standard and an underground Parliament House. Not sure about the night scene - there is great theatre I believe.

So with less than three weeks, I's suggest only three bases- Sydney, Uluru (King's Canyon, Palm Valley, Alice Springs if you can), and Darwin.

Off the beaten track? Camel Safaris through the Simpson Desert, walking the Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair track, or the Bay of Fires, in Tasie with a guide and gourmet meals) Next time, go Perth, Melbourne and Tasmania, our hidden gem!
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Old Mar 26th, 2011, 08:41 PM
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Why Perth? The rest is doable in a circuit, but Perth is ...let's just say... maybe not worth the time for such a short trip. The same foes for Canberra unless you are a bureaucrat fanatic.

And do both Melbourne AND Sydney. They are so different and both amazing.

And why NO Cairns/barrier reef?

You could easily do
Melb 3 days
Red Center 3 days
Darwin/Kakadu 3 days
Cairns/reef 3 days
Sydney 3 days

A bit hectic, but not so bad that you wouldn't enjoy all of it. Try to fly very early in the mornings, or late afternoon/evenings.
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Old Mar 26th, 2011, 08:43 PM
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PS: I had a typo. The same goes for Canberra. Not foes.

Also, you might only need 2 days for the Red Center if you can fly directly into Uluru.
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Old Mar 26th, 2011, 10:26 PM
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Yes, you're crazy.

As much as I like to promote Western Australia (I live in Perth and yes, it's nice), it's just not feasible to fit it in with the other places on your wish list with such limited time. Western Australia is similiar in size to Western Europe, something like five times the size of Texas, freaking BIG. And isolated...it's not on the way to anywhere - we're closer to Indonesia and Singapore than to the Eastern states of Australia.

Having said that, there are some lovely vineyards within a 30 minute drive of Perth (Swan Valley), plus 3-4 smaller wine trails in the Perth Hills, and beaucoup wineries further south.

I've just today returned from Margaret River which is chockablock with fantastic wineries, but it's a three hour drive south of Perth (without stops), and you'll need at least three nights to give the place justice, plus a day to drive there and back, then a few days to see Perth...

There is SO much to see and do in WA, that I'd not even consider it unless you can dedicate at the very least a full week (on the ground) to our 2.5 million square kilometers.
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Old Mar 26th, 2011, 10:34 PM
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I don't think you're crazy, circusliz. Lots of US visitors only have 2 weeks holiday, and they manage to see quite a lot.

If you're "city starved", I'd suggest you visit Sydney and Melbourne. They're both beautiful cities and quite different.
Combining city & winery visits are easy from Melbourne, too.
http://www.visitmelbourne.com/

I do think you might drop Perth - only because of time constraints. WA is an amazing State and Perth is one of my favourite places, but the flight time's a killer on a schedule like yours. Even if you make it your departure point, you're cutting back on other venues where an extra 1/2 day can make a difference - and you'd only touch the ground in Perth.

You'll obviously need to factor in flight schedules & timings, but if you could do an open jaw into or out of Darwin, it would be useful.

I've done a 3 day camping trip to Kakadu & Litchfield Park from Darwin and also a 2 day Alice Springs - Uluru; both were terrific. Like you, I was on a tight time constraint & just slotted them in with business trips. I've since gone back & done longer trips in both regions.

Internal carriers are Qantas wwww.qantas.com.au
Its budget subsidiary, Jetstar - www.jetstar.com.au
and Virgin Blue www.virginblue.com.au

Tiger Air also flies some legs, but is notorious for re-scheduling, last miniute cancellations and poor customer service, so I wouldn't recommend them.
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Old Mar 27th, 2011, 06:09 PM
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I flew with Qatar Airways recently direct from Melbourne to Qatar ( I know that does not get you to Kabul or Dubai) but Emirates does but is not a non-stop flight which of course is better in my opinion.
My daughter lives in Abu Dhabi and prefers to fly home with Etihad which flies into Sydney which I would put at the top of your list of places to go and fills in your "city" needs.
Then I would go to the GBR and veg out as there is lots to see and do there and I am sure you would love it.
The rest of the cities are not as interesting as Sydney, nor as beautiful.
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Old Mar 27th, 2011, 06:19 PM
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I just noticed your comment " good food, live theater, camping, and hiking are on our must-do list. I'd love to get a taste of the outback, but realize there's just not time to do it all in one trip. We're not really into beaches, and are ok with missing out on the Great Barrier Reef".
This is a problem with people's perceptions of the GBR - it is NOT about beaches.......... you can get your "outback" dose from the GBR Cairns area, you can get a "different and tropical Australia taste" of good food there as well, you can go hiking in some fantastically beautiful areas, you can see some of the World's most interesting and unique flora and fauna, you can get a taste of Aboriginal culture. It is a fantastic region and one which you can happily spend weeks in and you can do that without EVER going out on the reef. But having said that, I would not ever go there without going out to the reef and experiencing the World's biggest and most extensive and beautiful reef. But the GBR is not about beaches.
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Old Mar 27th, 2011, 06:32 PM
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To what the Oz experts above have pointed out, may I offer some general advice on travel pacing:

(1) Take a look at bus tour brochures - not because you want to go this route, but because commercial tour pace is a good benchmark for the minimum amount of time required to cover x amount of ground. Note that it is unlikely that as an independent traveler that you could match the pace of even the more luxurious bus tours (which tend to go slower than the budget ones.) Add at least 20 to 25 per cent more time, just to allow for the fact that you have to do your own navigation, etc.

(2) Expect the unexpected. When itineraries involve a lot of flying (and given the size of Oz, flying is almost inevitably involved) the usual caveat applies: planes can be delayed, and you need to allow a bit of a buffer for that reason.

(3) It may be helpful to determine the physical distances in km (miles) and then match these to similar distances in regions with which you're already familiar. For example, since it seems you live in Dubai, find the Middle Eastern equivalent to the distance between Sydney and Perth. This may help clarify just how large a territory you're trying to cover.

(4) There are generally good reasons why a standard itinerary is standard. By all means add your own personal itinerary touches, but at least on a first trip, don't try and reinvent the wheel.

Enjoy your trip!
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Old Mar 28th, 2011, 11:26 AM
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Oy, this is getting to be very stressful!

Thanks for all the info! We have a lot to consider, and we're getting down to the wire.

Feel free to keep posting suggestions!
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Old Mar 30th, 2011, 03:11 AM
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Canberra: is it worth it- I have 4 days in Sydney coming up and I've already done bridge climb, the rocks and opera house. I still want to do zoo, harbor cruise, manly, garderns/hyde park, and some historical museum or two.

to the orginial poster: sorry for stealing your thread. to add to the commentary: I loved the bridge climb, opera house. thought my day on the reed and another @ daintree was really well done. will let you know about melbourne after this weekened
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Old Mar 30th, 2011, 11:38 AM
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More questions!:
-would we be seriously short-changing ourselves if we kept it slow(ish) and simple and just did Sydney-Uluru-Melbourne?
-how will the weather be in Sydney and Melbourne in late April to early May? Are we looking at ok temps but mostly overcast skies?
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Old Mar 30th, 2011, 12:33 PM
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And even more (sorry!):
-is Uluru as over-touristed as it seems on the internet? I was looking for overnight camping/adventure tours in the area, and they all seem to go to the same spots (camel farm, Ayers Rock, Kings Canyaon) which leads me to think those spots will be very crowded.
-has anyone used River Deep tours for exploring the Blue Mountains?
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Old Mar 30th, 2011, 03:10 PM
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I will step on a few toes here but there is no way I would add Melbourne into a short visit to Australia - a city is a city is a city.
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Old Apr 11th, 2011, 06:21 PM
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<<is Uluru as over-touristed as it seems on the internet? I was looking for overnight camping/adventure tours in the area, and they all seem to go to the same spots (camel farm, Ayers Rock, Kings Canyaon) which leads me to think those spots will be very crowded.>>

Apart from Alice Springs you are literally in the middle of nowhere as a result there are only limited places to stay, eat etc. I've been there in July, to ULuru, the Olgas and Kings CAnyon and its not overcrowded with tourists, its not like the Grand Canyon etc. Also its sometimes good to know that there are people around
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Old Apr 12th, 2011, 01:52 AM
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G'Day Liz,

You will be struggling, but it can be done in 2+/- weeks, and that will give you a fair bit of time to get a broad cross-section of what OZ is all about.

You're leaving from Perth, and can arrive in Sydney (if necessary), so...

Sydney is a must do...spend about 5 days there, then head to Cairns/FNQ for about 4 days doing the reef and rain forest.

Then you can do Uluru/the Red center for a few days, on your way to Perth for the return flight home. A couple of days in SW W.A. and you've done the lot pretty much. You've seen the major POI on the east coast, you've seen the red center, and you've done the wineries/relaxed lifestyle of SW OZ.

It's supposed to be a holiday for you...don't try to squeeze too much in. Sydney/FNQ/Uluru/Perth....Bob's your Uncle.

Cheers mate,

Rick
Kaenz FNQ (that's how it's pronounced...trust me) and Papua New Guinea.
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