Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Where to start in Australia?

First time in Australia - 12 days, starting in Sydney April 12, leave April 24. At first I was going to spend a week there and then get a car and maybe drive to Melbourne. Now I'm thinking fewer days in Sydney and more road (e.g., wife would like to spend a few days in the wine country). Only thing I absolutely positively want to do is the bridge climb.

Suggestions?

By the way, I actually got 2 UA Saver C award tickets from IAD-SFO-SYD-LAX-IAD (yes they do exist)!

FWIW, we just got back from 13 nights, and thought we saw a nice flavor of the country, albeit a bit rushed. We had a nice mix of cities and "open road" driving.
Our itinerary:
- Arrive Sydney, fly immediately to Adelaide for 1 day
- 2 days Kangaroo Island
- 2 days Melbourne
- 2 days driving Great Ocean Road, returned to Melbourne to fly to Cairns
- 3 days in Port Douglas/Mossman (also did a Great Barrier Reef snorkel tour)
- 3 days in Sydney, with last day used to drive to Blue Mountains

This was in January, but I suspect that all would also be decent bets in April, just a bit colder. You could substitute the South Australia wine country where we did Kangaroo Island, or use a bit of your Sydney time to head up to the Hunter Valley wine region.

Have a great trip.

If you haven't been to OZ before, I certainly wouldn't sell Sydney short- yes, it's a big city that feels a lot like any US big city (think Chicago, maybe...) but the food; the sites, the people all are well worth your time.

I've got the guide books, Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, etc., but with just 12 days I was hoping that a little inside info as to what to see (and how long it takes) and what to skip might be helpful.

Also, reading TripAdvisor, one could get the impression that lodging cleanliness might be an issue if staying in other than 4* accomodations?

I've got the guide books, Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, etc., but with just 12 days I was hoping that a little inside info as to what to see (and how long it takes) and what to skip might be helpful.

Also, reading TripAdvisor, one could get the impression that lodging cleanliness might be an issue if staying in other than 4* accomodations?

If you are going to spend a day or 2 in SYD, try Queen Victoria Building (QVB) and Paddy's Markets for shopping, Taronga Zoo for wildlife (take the ferry for a wonderful harbour view) and the Rocks for the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Don't bother with the monorail unless it takes you somewhere specifically you want to go- try dinner at Fishface in Darlinghurst for good, inexpensive seafood. Hope this helps a little. And, have a good time! Take some time to meet some locals at a pub or coffee shop. You won't regret the investment of time!

What kind of vacation are you looking for? Do you want to go home and boast that you hit 47 of the top 50 attractions in 12 days? Or would you rather go back feeling so relaxed you don't want to go back to work - even though you never left Sydney airport?

My suggestion to visitors is to hit a few of the tourist highlights, Bridge Climb, Opera House tour, beaches etc. Maybe a quick flight to the great barrier reef and then relax. However if that is not your idea of a vacation I am sure people on this board can come up with a long list of things to do.

try dinner at Fishface in Darlinghurst for good, inexpensive seafood.

I don't mean to be too critical of this recommendation, since tastes vary... However, I own an apartment nearby and have walked to and eaten at Fishface a number of times, and in my opinion sadly seen a downward spiral in food and service over the past couple years. I'm presently enamored with the nearby Vietnamese restaurant Dragon Den on Victoria Street which has a surprising number of fresh seafood items on the menu. They have a king prawns in coconut with pumpkin dish that's quite good and my family loves their chilli squid and soft shell crab with wasabi mayonaise.

To "get down" with the Locals, have a decent cuppa at the Milkbar on Crown or the Porta Via Espresso on Victoria Street. ^

try dinner at Fishface in Darlinghurst

yes, eatability.com.au rates fish face poorly, in concert with the other post.

have been to sydney many times, and did the bridge climb, which for me is too hyped. best view experience is from the ferries anyway. and while i love rock climbing, that is certainly isn't. it's not horrible, it just isn't great (except for the marketing).

most things i've read (and there's a ton of stuff if you search here, plus loads of other sites), suggest 2 days in sydney proper. i'd concur. beyond that, aus is a big country with so much to offer that it is difficult to know what to recommend.

I don't mean to be too critical of this recommendation, since tastes vary... However, I own an apartment nearby and have walked to and eaten at Fishface a number of times, and in my opinion sadly seen a downward spiral in food and service over the past couple years. I'm presently enamored with the nearby Vietnamese restaurant Dragon Den on Victoria Street which has a surprising number of fresh seafood items on the menu. They have a king prawns in coconut with pumpkin dish that's quite good and my family loves their chilli squid and soft shell crab with wasabi mayonaise.

To "get down" with the Locals, have a decent cuppa at the Milkbar on Crown or the Porta Via Espresso on Victoria Street. ^

Sorry to hear that about Fishface, we've always had good meals there- there's a new Laotian place on Oxford St. (can't remember the name...) down towards the Palms- it was good, if a bit spicey for Minnesota tastes (we consider paprika exotic and sugar a spice! )
:p

What kind of vacation are you looking for? Do you want to go home and boast that you hit 47 of the top 50 attractions in 12 days? Or would you rather go back feeling so relaxed you don't want to go back to work - even though you never left Sydney airport?
We're closer to the second than the first. We just can't stand being on the move every day. So, far we've got 5 nights at the Meriton Rialto in Sydney followed by a week's car rental. Where to go? We're thinking a casual drive to Melbourne? Maybe a long way down taking a few days, spend a few days there, and the most direct way back (1 day?).

Also, when on the road (and not well enough funded to stay in hotels) do you stay in motels like the US, B and Bs like Britian/Ireland, or ??

I really appreciate the restaurant and local hangout suggestions!

Thanks.

The drive SYD-MEL isn't particularly scenic, while other drives are much nicer (ADL-MEL for example, or even SYD to Hunter Valley). It isn't a bad drive, and you get to see some semi-rural Australia, but not the real outback or things that are more uniquely Australian. There is a reason that SYD-MEL is one of the 3 most heavily travelled air routes in the world.

The drive SYD-MEL isn't particularly scenic, while other drives are much nicer (ADL-MEL for example, or even SYD to Hunter Valley). It isn't a bad drive, and you get to see some semi-rural Australia, but not the real outback or things that are more uniquely Australian. There is a reason that SYD-MEL is one of the 3 most heavily travelled air routes in the world.

I'd suggest the drive to Brisbane, stopping at Port Macquarie, etc. but it's a bit of a haul- I think you could do it easily in 2- 3 days, without overdoing it.

I'd suggest the drive to Brisbane, stopping at Port Macquarie, etc. but it's a bit of a haul- I think you could do it easily in 2- 3 days, without overdoing it.

I agree wholeheartedly. If you are planning to do SYD-BNE, I'd do it this way:

Day 1 - Sydney - Hunter Valley (160km / 99 miles)
overnight at the Peppers Convent Hotel (http://www.peppers.com.au/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=24&languageId=1&contentId=-1&property=647) and enjoy wineries at leisure.

Day 2 - Hunter Valley - Angourie (670km / 415miles)

The cost road from the Hunter to the North Coast is spectactular. Stop off along the way and end up at the Angourie Rainforest Resort (http://www.angourieresort.com.au/) . This region is my favourite part of the world, with fantastic beaches and rainforest galore. If you're a surfing historian, you may even see local resident Nat Young (http://www.surfline.com/surfaz/surfaz.cfm?id=951) surfing around you.

The drive might sound like it's rediculously long, but it's do-able.

Day 3 - Angourie - Brisbane

The first half of the drive, towards the Gold Coast, is beautiful. Stop off at Tropical Fruit World (http://www.tropicalfruitworld.com.au/) and taste the local fruit and nuts, and then continue through the hinterland. End up in Brisbane at one of many hotels.

The drive SYD-MEL isn't particularly scenic, while other drives are much nicer (ADL-MEL for example, or even SYD to Hunter Valley). It isn't a bad drive, and you get to see some semi-rural Australia, but not the real outback or things that are more uniquely Australian. There is a reason that SYD-MEL is one of the 3 most heavily travelled air routes in the world.

SYD-MEL isn't particularly scenic if you travel the Hume highway route. But there are other scenic alternatives. Go via Canberra and then up the snowy mountains highway via Thedbo and then through the Victorian wine district.

Or travel down the Pacific highway along the coast.

I agree wholeheartedly. If you are planning to do SYD-BNE, I'd do it this way:

Day 1 - Brisbane - Hunter Valley (160km / 99 miles)
overnight at the Peppers Convent Hotel (http://www.peppers.com.au/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=24&languageId=1&contentId=-1&property=647) and enjoy wineries at leisure.

Day 2 - Hunter Valley - Angourie (670km / 415miles)

The cost road from the Hunter to the North Coast is spectactular. Stop off along the way and end up at the Angourie Rainforest Resort (http://www.angourieresort.com.au/) . This region is my favourite part of the world, with fantastic beaches and rainforest galore. If you're a surfing historian, you may even see local resident Nat Young (http://www.surfline.com/surfaz/surfaz.cfm?id=951) surfing around you.

The drive might sound like it's rediculously long, but it's do-able.

Day 3 - Angourie - Brisbane

The first half of the drive, towards the Gold Coast, is beautiful. Stop off at Tropical Fruit World (http://www.tropicalfruitworld.com.au/) and taste the local fruit and nuts, and then continue through the hinterland. End up in Brisbane at one of many hotels.

If you can manage it, a quick stop in Coff's Harbour would be nice-

Sorry to hear that about Fishface, we've always had good meals there- there's a new Laotian place on Oxford St. (can't remember the name...) down towards the Palms- it was good, if a bit spicey for Minnesota tastes (we consider paprika exotic and sugar a spice! )
:p


Sydney and other major Australian cities have evolved quite nicely in dining in the years I've been traveling there, beginning in the 60's when I did some recovery and R&R from the Vietnam War in Brisbane. I remember sorry-assed meals with little character and lots of carbohydrates in the old days! Since I'm in the food business, I can be unduly critical. These days there are great restaurants throughout Australia that rival anywhere else in the culinary world and set new standards!

When I returned to So. California from Sydney a couple weeks ago I brought the new 2006 Sydney Entertainment Book http://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/ home with me to read and get some dining ideas for my return to Sydney in a couple months. Just looking through this book shows the variety and ethnic diversity of Sydney as a Cosmopolitan place.

I agree wholeheartedly. If you are planning to do SYD-BNE, I'd do it this way:

Day 1 - Brisbane - Hunter Valley (160km / 99 miles)
overnight at the Peppers Convent Hotel (http://www.peppers.com.au/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=24&languageId=1&contentId=-1&property=647) and enjoy wineries at leisure.



I think dannyr meant SYD to Hunter.... :D

I think dannyr meant SYD to Hunter.... :D

LOL - so I did. editing now....

If you can manage it, a quick stop in Coff's Harbour would be nice-

Actually, that would be a nice way to spend an extra night. Go from the Hunter Valley to Coffs Harbour in one day, then the few extra hundred k's from Coffs to Angourie the following day.

Also, when on the road (and not well enough funded to stay in hotels) do you stay in motels like the US, B and Bs like Britian/Ireland, or ??



Thanks.
You shouldn't have much trouble finding motels to stay in. You might like to stay in a pub though. Typical set up is a 2 story place, downstairs are the bars and dining room, upstairs will be the guest rooms. Don't expect anything too fancy but you can get something very comfortable for a really good price.

I agree wholeheartedly. If you are planning to do SYD-BNE, I'd do it this way:

Day 1 - Sydney - Hunter Valley (160km / 99 miles)
overnight at the Peppers Convent Hotel (http://www.peppers.com.au/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=24&languageId=1&contentId=-1&property=647) and enjoy wineries at leisure.




You can do a lot better for accomodation in the Hunter - email me if you want some serious details. I've got a pretty extensive network of contacts in the Hunter, so could likely arrange something out of the ordinary in terms of wine/ beer tastings, etc.

Most people will not agree with me, but don't miss Adelaide. It's not far from the east coast, and there is plenty to do. Adelaide is supposedly boring and quiet, but there are more pubs/bars here than in any other city in Australia.
There's also a lot of ecotourism based activities, including kangaroo island, like someone already mentioned.

Most people will not agree with me, but don't miss Adelaide. It's not far from the east coast, and there is plenty to do. Adelaide is supposedly boring and quiet, but there are more pubs/bars here than in any other city in Australia.
There's also a lot of ecotourism based activities, including kangaroo island, like someone already mentioned.

I agree, don't miss ADL, but I also suggest not to spend much time in ADL. It is great for a launchpad for either the wine regions or Kangaroo Island, but I don't see it as more than a 1 day or 2 day town.

I really appreciate the help! As these suggestions come in I print them off and take them to Mrs. GRE. She's plotting them on a map and trying to figure out an itin.

Thanks.

Adelaide........"it's OK."

...Also, reading TripAdvisor, one could get the impression that lodging cleanliness might be an issue if staying in other than 4* accomodations?No more or less so than in North America. Aussies can be casual about a lot of things, the correct use of apostrophes comes to mind, but cleanliness isn't generally one of them.

If you have to choose Adelaide or Sydney then I'd pick Adelaide. :D

(says he putting on body armour!) :eek:

try dinner at Fishface in Darlinghurst for good, inexpensive seafood.


I was critical of this place in an earlier post, basing my criticism on the last couple of times I've eaten there. I admit that I haven't been there in the last 6 months because of what I had experienced as a decline from earlier times. However, I did receive an Email from CitySearch Sydney this week in which they review and rate Fish Face highly, giving it an "Our Pick" thumbs up! http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/profile?id=20020869
I'll be back in Sydney next month and will walk over and give it another go, reporting back in this Forum.

I was critical of this place in an earlier post, basing my criticism on the last couple of times I've eaten there. I admit that I haven't been there in the last 6 months because of what I had experienced as a decline from earlier times. However, I did receive an Email from CitySearch Sydney this week in which they review and rate Fish Face highly, giving it an "Our Pick" thumbs up! http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/profile?id=20020869
I'll be back in Sydney next month and will walk over and give it another go, reporting back in this Forum.

I saw that, too, and hope it's accurate- let us know- I'm curious!
^

Your first trip.

You might want to decide how many and how long this and future trips will be. We believe we finally did a fairly good job with Australia after 7 trips with an average duration over 20 days each, say 150 days. It is a big country! Generally, we flew, drove a rental car, tour day tours and finally for the Outback did a 2 week bus trip.

Suggest you do not try to do too many cities on this trip. You just do not have enough time. Pace you trip, use your time wisely. Don't let skipping around eat up your vacation. At the same time, balance sitting around with active sightseeing. It is a county of visual joy. Also feel free to talk to people. You can learn lots from the "docent" at the museum, church caretaker or gaol ticket seller!