Kev1561

Hello,
I began planning an Australia trip over a year ago, but travel dates kept changing. Currently scheduled to spend 16 days (not counting travel days) in Australia in October. We arrive and fly out of Sydney. More interested in natural wonders than urban ones. First and last portions of trip relatively set, but I need some help in the middle.

Tentatively plan the following:
Days 1-3 Sydney to include Manly spit walk, bridge climb, and explore the rocks/Opera House area.
Days 4-5 Overnight in the Blue Mountains
Day 6 fly Sydney to Alice Springs or Uluru

Here's where I have some questions: If I fly to Alice Springs, would it be feasible to see the town that afternoon, drive to King's Canyon the next day, overnight in King's Canyon, then drive to Uluru for a two night stay. I realize there is about a five hour drive between each place....so I guess what I am really asking is whether all that driving is really worth it, or would I be better off just flying to Uluru and spending 2-3 nights there (possible side trip to King's Canyon?)

After the Red Center, fly to Cairns for days 10-16 to explore Reef and Rainforest.

If I cut a day or two from the Red Center, would you recommend adding the days to the Sydney area and seeing either Canberra or Hunter Valley?

Thanks for your help. Besides the specific questions asked, comments on the general itinerary are welcome. I have enjoyed reading the banter on this forum as I begin planning again.

Neil_Oz

Someone else will have to address the Red Centre aspect, but at first glance you seem to have some wriggle room.

If your aim is to focus on natural wonders a side trip to Canberra wouldn't seem to fit the bill - on the other hand, it could add some balance to your visit if you'd like to better understand Australia's history and culture. The extsnsive and very impressive Australian War Memorial museum in particular is a must-see. You should plan on overnighting, and it's an easy 3-hour drive from Sydney. For an overview of attractions start with www.canberra.tourism.com.au.

The Hunter Valley is a nice place to go if you're into food and wine, but in all honesty it's not a world away from doing the same thing in California.

RalphR

Kev...your Red Center plan seems OK as long as you get started early for the drive to Kings Canyon. That way you can do the walk around the rim in the afternoon. I did a similar trip in '99: drove to Uluru from Alice, spent 3 nights there (one day at Uluru and one day Olgas), then drove to Kings Canyon for two nights, then drove back to Alice. It was a great trip and I even enjoyed the drive, as "boring" as some people might think it is. If I could do it all over again, I think I would rent a 4WD and do the back road (the Meereenie Loop Rd?)to Kings Canyon, really getting away from it all.

Judy_in_Calgary

Kev, I have not been to the Red Centre, so cannot comment on it. However, if I've understood Ralph's suggestions correctly, and if they appeal to you, I think it may take more than 2-3 nights to implement them.

In that case I would say you could afford to shave a night off Far North Queensland and re-assign it to the Red Centre.

I think it's nice to have 5 full days (not counting travel time) in FNQ. In a pinch you could make do with 4 full days, but to my taste that is the absolute minimum. I hate to see people planning for less time than that in FNQ. Of course there is heaps to do up there and, if a traveller has the time, they can make meaningful use of a considerably longer period. But in this instance I'm not addressing a person who has an almost indefinite amount of time. I'm addressing you, and you're evidently trying to juggle Sydney, Uluru and FNQ, and are trying to decide how to distribute a finite amount of time.

Kev1561

Thanks for the replies. Couple follow on questions, if I may.

Neil..I agree Canberra would not be a natural wonder, but it does seem to be interesting. I was reading some history and the author compared the architecture to a bunch of cement blocks...I found that rather intriguing and made it more, rather than less, appealing. Besides, it is the capital....At home, I, for one, find Washington DC much more interesting than New York City or Los Angeles (though others may disagree).

Ralph..I was a bit concerned that 5 hours on the road in the desert might get monotonous. I had already looked into 4WD because I, too, thought it would be interesting to really get away from the usual treks. I also want to experience more than just Uluru. So you feel that King's Canyon and Alice Springs are both worth the extra effort?

As for FNQ, I have been debating between basing us in Cairns or Port Douglas and taking various day trips to the rainforest, or spending a few days at someplace like Silky Oaks or Daintree Eco Lodge to really appreciate the rainforest, then concentrate on the reef at Cairns/PD. Any thoughts?

Thanks again.

Neil_Oz

Kev, Canberra's architecture is a bit more eclectic than that (but I hope this doesn't lessen its appeal). Whoever made that comment was probably thinking about a couple of high-profile and adjoining buildings, the National Gallery and the High Court. The other major national institutions are built in a mix of styles. In fact, just one alone (the National Museum) is built in a mix of styles - I think that's called postmodernism.

I recommend an article by the author Frank Moorhouse in the "Sydney Morning Herald" of Jan 28: "Canberra reveals it soul"... "Far from being bland and boring, the national capital has aged gracefully to become a great modern city." You'll find it at
http://smh.com.au/articles/2005/01/2...850095572.html

RalphR

Kev: With just 3 nights you might be better off just flying in and out of Uluru. That gives you 2 full days - one day you could spend at Uluru, the other at the Olgas (which, by the way should not be missed under any circumstances). Or you could divide one day between Uluru and the Olgas and use the second for a trip to King's Canyon. I liked ALice Springs more for its location than as a destination unto itself. On our '99 trip we not only did the 5 night trip I mentioned earlier in a campervan, but also spent another 5 nights in and around Alice staying in places like the Ross River Homestead in the East MacDonnell Ranges. There are some gorgeous spots the MacDonnell ranges - Palm Valley, Glen Helen, Ormiston Gorge, Trephina Gorge, etc, etc. - all pretty close to Alice. If you rented a 4WD and had some extra time you could see some of these places en route to Kings Canyon via the Mereenie Loop Rd.

claret

Hey Kev,
Our Red Centre is a stunning place. Kings Canyon is spectacular and really shouldn't be missed. Driving outback is really not boring at all as the colours of Australia are something to behold. I've done the Mereenie (?) Loop Road - which also covers Palm Valley - extremely fascinating place, with the most beautiful sunset skies I have ever seen. Uluru and Kata Tjuta are very spritual places and along with Kings Canyon probably my favourite places on earth.
I encourage you to make Kings Canyon and Uluru/Kata Tjuta a priority....a must see...I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
As Ralph suggested the East and West MacDonnell Ranges are also a sight. Our pick here was Ormiston Gorge. It's hard to go wrong with any place in the Territory really.
At Uluru you mustn't take any rocks away from the area as a souvenir. This is really bad luck. You can view the testimonials in the Cultural Centre at Uluru where hundreds of people have posted back their rocks because of all the bad luck that came their way.
Anyway, have a sensational trip!!!

repete

I like staying north of Cairns -- be it Palm Cove, PD or Daintree. We spent most of our time north of town -- although we regret not seeing more of the Atherton Tablelands. There's a delightful trek and swim in the Mossman and poking around the region is a treat.