Oceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) - Best way to do 19day / 20night trip to OZ?

My wife and I , along with 2 friends arrive in Sydney on Saturday 29th December at 8pm.

Departing Friday 18th 00.45am from Melbourne back to Dublin ( with 2 days/1 night in Kuala Lumpur)

we have 19 full days/20 nights in Australia -

Our friends wish to visit Sydney , Whitsundays and end in Melbourne ( friends are staying in SYD and MEL with family , while we plan to see other things inbetween. )

Sydney - 5 nights
Uluru/Olgas - 1 night ( fly from Sydney direct to Uluru Airport and return next day)
Whitsundays - 4 nights
Brisbane - 5 nights ( to cover Noosa , Fraser Island etc )
Melbourne - 5 nights ( to cover Melbourne, Phillip Island, G.O.R)

thoughts?? how would YOU do it ??
We are in our late 20s , have a decent budget , this will be our first trip ( and i work on assumption our only trip)

You haven't specified what your interest are, which makes it hard!

Having said that, you've picked a good selection of great places! And a great time of the year to be visiting!

A few further comments:

Uluru

Have you actually checked flights? There are only two direct flight a day - one Virgin and one Qantas. They both arrive and depart close to midday, which will give you exactly 24 hours! This will be impossible if you do not rent a car. You will have time to see sunset and sunrise and walk around Uluru, with quick trip to the Olgas.

A couple of things to note:

It will be very hot at that time of the year - close to 40C during the day and 25 at night!

If you are planning on climbing Uluru, it is unlikely you will be able to. It is closed at 8am when the forecast temp is above 35 (pretty much every day at that time of year) and earlier (6 am) if it windy or raining/forecast.

I would recommend taking a couple of days off Sydney and staying 2-3 nights in the red centre and driving to Kings Canyon for a night. Do the rim walk and be up at the top for sunrise - spectacular!

This time of the year is the best in my opinion (I was there a couple of years ago at the same time)- less tourists (but still plenty), lower prices (but still expensive, which is hardly surprising given the logistics!) and you get to see the red centre at its best.

Sydney

Bridge climb is supposed to be worth it, but expensive! I haven't done it yet though, so can't comment from personal experience.

Blue Mountains are definitely worth a visit for a night or two, especially if you like bush walking.

Hunter valley is worth a visit if you like wine - I'm heading there for a long weekend in a month.

Both are about 2 hours drive from SYD.


Brisbane

I wouldn't spend a great deal of time in Brisbane itself (I lived there for 2 years!), but spend most of your time at Noosa and Fraser - two nights each and one in Brisbane would be my suggestion.

Just be aware that anywhere north of Brisbane will be quite humid at that time of the year. Brisbane will be humid too. Plenty o flakes on Fraser to cool down in though!

Melbourne

Grampians is worth a visit, if you like spectacular scenery, bush walking and food/wine. One of Victoria's best restaurants (Royal Mail at Dunkeld) is at the southern end.

Wilsons Prom. is also worth a visit - the southernmost tip of Mainland Australia, with a combination of great bush walks and some of Vic's best beaches!

Again, if you like wine, Yarra Valley is worth a visit, as it the Mornington Peninsula. Both are best at Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, buit do most styles well, except for big reds (too cold). Their reds are cool climate, medium body spicier.


For further info, have a look at my previous posts - I've posted on these places/topics many times!

If you have the budget, spending a night or 2 at http://www.longitude131.com.au/ is well worth it, really a unique experience (as is the sounds of silence dinner).

Heron or Lizard island is well worth a visit if you like the GBR experience (Hamilton is easier/cheaper but completely different, more like Miami :) ).

You won't see 10% of Australia so don't fret about it, lots to do so pick what you enjoy.

we love the beach / sun / pool.
Have done snorkelling , would love to learn to dive when at GBR
Want to make sure I don't leave without seeing lots of animals!

last few holidays
2012- French Polynesia combined with LA and Palm Springs
2011 - Bali
2010 - Tanzania and Zanzibar
2009 - Las Vegas and San Diego to San Francisco road trip

thinking

arrive Sydney 8pm on Dec 29th - 4/5 nights
(currently booked into the Old Sydney Holiday Inn on reward points )

Fly to Uluru/Olgas - 2 nights ( fly from Sydney direct to Uluru Airport and return 2 days later). Longitude great although a lot of ££££££££

Whitsundays - 4 nights . Sailing around. trip out to Outer reef.

Brisbane - 5 nights ( to cover 2 x Noosa , 2 x Fraser Island , 1 x Brisbane )
What about Mon Repos for the turtles ? Heron Island looks great as well.

Melbourne - 4 nights ( to cover 2 x Melbourne, 1 x Phillip Island, 1 x G.O.R)
Or should I choose between Phillip or GOR ?

I did a similar itinerary a couple years ago, except I went to Tasmania instead of Whitsundays (and skipped Uluru). There's a link to my detailed trip report below, if it will help give you any ideas.

I loved going to Tasmania, its a shame its not on your itinerary (of course, I understand you can't do it all, I had to make similar decisions).

And another vote for Wilson's Prom near Melbourne - just spectacular!

Since I started this thread I have changed my plans a little.
We are in late 20s , love the beach and have whittled down the Australian highlights as follows;

1. Great Barrier Reef (including Whitsundays)
2. Sydney + surrounding
3. Melbourne + surrounding
4. Byron bay and Gold coast (just to south of Brisbane)
5. Fraser Island and Sunshine coast (just to north of Brisbane).
6. Ayers Rock and surrounding outback

ARRIVE SYDNEY SATURDAY 29TH DECEMBER @ 8PM
DEPART MELBOURNE FRIDAY 18TH JANUARY @ 00.45AM

that makes 19 full days.
Travelling with friends who plan to do around 5 nights Sydney , 4 nights Whitsundays then 10 nights Melbourne. They have family in Syd/Melb.

I think we will do
5 nights - Sydney eg 29th-3rd Jan . Holiday Inn booked
4 nights - Whitsundays 3rd-7th Jan
(sydney to whitsunday flights about $170aud)
6 nights - Brisbane ( Gold Coast , Sunshine Coast , Noosa )
4 nights - Melbourne (Australian open tennis on) Holiday Inn booked

One question - should I try and squeeze 2 nights @ Uluru in. Flying Brisbane - Uluru - Melbourne ?

"Salaried Australians have four weeks of annual leave and school children in the major population centres have January as a long break. Domestic tourism is strongest during January. From 25 Dec to approx 25 Jan is peak holiday season"
this is also going to mean more demand for accomodation in the whitsundays when we are there as its the busiest time of year.
i have had a look and probably most cost effective accomodation is to hire an apartment.

Accommodation on Whitsundays - main island - Hamilton Island
websites likes of the following with accommodation
http://www.hamiltonislandaccommodation.info/
http://www.hihh.com.au/Pages/holidayhomesandproperties.aspx
http://www.bestrates.whitsundayapartments.com.au/Hotel/Whitsunday_Holiday_Apartments_Hamilton_Island.htm
Some hotels on Whitsundays but look very expensive

Alternative is mainland with cheaper apartments in Airlie Beach or Shute Harbour.things like
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g261596-d609777-Reviews-Sea_Star_Apartments-Airlie_Beach_Whitsunday_Islands_Great_Barrier_Reef _Queensland.html

All help much appreciated!

My wife and I , along with 2 friends arrive in Sydney on Saturday 29th December at 8pm.

Departing Friday 18th 00.45am from Melbourne back to Dublin ( with 2 days/1 night in Kuala Lumpur)

we have 19 full days/20 nights in Australia -

Our friends wish to visit Sydney , Whitsundays and end in Melbourne ( friends are staying in SYD and MEL with family , while we plan to see other things inbetween. )

Sydney - 5 nights
Uluru/Olgas - 1 night ( fly from Sydney direct to Uluru Airport and return next day)
Whitsundays - 4 nights
Brisbane - 5 nights ( to cover Noosa , Fraser Island etc )
Melbourne - 5 nights ( to cover Melbourne, Phillip Island, G.O.R)

thoughts?? how would YOU do it ??
We are in our late 20s , have a decent budget , this will be our first trip ( and i work on assumption our only trip)

Hi there.

Awesome itinerary you have there but a few suggestions.

You need more time for Uluru/The Olgas. You won't get to experience much at all in one day/one night.

There is a myriad of things you can do there - I'd suggest at least three nights if possible.

You have things such as Uluuru walks, sunset or sunrise, half day or full day tours.

The amazing Sound of Silence dinner is also something to keep in mind.

http://www.territorydiscoveries.com/product-page/tour/2615

It's not cheap to fly there with so strongly advise to pre book the domestic flights there.

With regards to the Whitsunday's that covers quite a few places. Hamilton Island for example is a great base, and with its own airport as well with flights in from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane etc.

On that island itself you have a number of accommodation options, shops, dining options, golf, quad bikes and more.

http://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/?gclid=COCg25KHj7ECFWJItAodVly98w

Plenty of other choices as well there in terms of other islands, day trips. Make sure you take a tour to the reef, and to Whitehaven Beach.

It's not cheap to fly there with so strongly advise to pre book the domestic flights there.


Domestic Australia flights on QF are a really good use of Avios when doing a short, expensive route. I'm working up ideas for NZ/Red Centre/South Australia for next year in late May or early July and thinking I might use some Avios for flights that are chronically expensive because of QF or QF/VA monopoly/semi-monopoly situations.

Domestic Australia flights on QF are a really good use of Avios when doing a short, expensive route. I'm working up ideas for NZ/Red Centre/South Australia for next year in late May or early July and thinking I might use some Avios for flights that are chronically expensive because of QF or QF/VA monopoly/semi-monopoly situations.

yeah a couple of my flights i am provisionally looking at are ok price. however if i did fit in uluru somehow it would be one way brisbane - uluru - melbourne which is 800/900£ for 2 people. how many avios points ??

yeah a couple of my flights i am provisionally looking at are ok price. however if i did fit in uluru somehow it would be one way brisbane - uluru - melbourne which is 800/900£ for 2 people. how many avios points ??

As long as you know there are no direct flights BNE-AYQ-MEL.

yeah a couple of my flights i am provisionally looking at are ok price. however if i did fit in uluru somehow it would be one way brisbane - uluru - melbourne which is 800/900£ for 2 people. how many avios points ??
Depends on routing. BNE-ASP/SYD-AYQ will come in at 14500 per person in economy. Were you to find yourself in CNS instead of BNE, you could do one way CNS-AYQ for 7500 in economy. AYQ-ASP-MEL is 12000 per person in economy, while AYQ-SYD-MEL is 14500 per person in economy. The value of Avios, unfortunately, goes down dramatically when you have to start connecting.

As long as you know there are no direct flights BNE-AYQ-MEL.

yeah can do it with a very short stop in alice springs each way

yeah can do it with a very short stop in alice springs each way

Eh?

ASP is a far distance from AYQ. If you are short on time ASP is not the base to be spending to access Uluru.

Eh?

ASP is a far distance from AYQ. If you are short on time ASP is not the base to be spending to access Uluru.
I think WEEBOBBY means flying BNE-ASP-AYQ. It doesn't appear to be a direct flight (in the sense of one flight number all the way through), and BNE-ASP only operates at the weekends. Further, the stop isn't so short, coming in at two to three hours.

I think WEEBOBBY means flying BNE-ASP-AYQ. It doesn't appear to be a direct flight (in the sense of one flight number all the way through), and BNE-ASP only operates at the weekends. Further, the stop isn't so short, coming in at two to three hours.

yeah i'm talking about BNE-ASP-AYQ THEN AYQ-ASP-MEL
when i looked BNE-ASP-AYQ was 2 hours or so in ASP waiting for CONNECTING flight
AYQ-ASP-MEL was only 30 min stop
not too bad ??!!
cash wise its the same price to fly to AYQ as it is ASP so might as well fly to AYQ if paying cash.

however those AVIOS points are very good indead if you can keep to one flight..

yeah i'm talking about BNE-ASP-AYQ THEN AYQ-ASP-MEL
when i looked BNE-ASP-AYQ was 2 hours or so in ASP waiting for CONNECTING flight
AYQ-ASP-MEL was only 30 min stop
not too bad ??!!
cash wise its the same price to fly to AYQ as it is ASP so might as well fly to AYQ if paying cash.

however those AVIOS points are very good indead if you can keep to one flight..

Hmmm fair enough. Tbh if you are short on time it's a waste to do it tbh. Unless you can allow 3-4 days/nights I'd see more of the Whitsunday's etc.

Hmmm fair enough. Tbh if you are short on time it's a waste to do it tbh. Unless you can allow 3-4 days/nights I'd see more of the Whitsunday's etc.

thanks. yes i feel you are right

thanks. yes i feel you are right

Also the Whitsunday's are absolutely beautiful too...you will enjoy the Reef/Whitehaven Beach.