Australia Trip
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: The best place on Earth.
Posts: 59
Australia Trip
Hi!
I have about 1 month off in Sept/Oct and looking to go to Australia for the first time! Probably a week or two of that time off will be spent stopping over in Tokyo/Hong Kong, so i'll have something like 2-3 weeks to play with for time in Australia.
Keep in mind that I have 1 week to redeem at a Ritz or Marriott property (ya I got the RC card lol). So I was thinking of redeeming it in Sydney, or Tokyo or Hong Kong. I suppose it's slightly off topic to ask how the hotels compare, but if that information is known that would be greatly appreciated.
#1 Is it worth it to spend 1 full week in Sydney? Is there a lot to do see in the area / periphy?
#2 How long to spend in Cairns/ Great barrier reef? We like SCUBA diving. We are getting ours certs in a couple of weeks, but we've been several times before. Is there stuff to do in that region besides SCUBA dive?
#3 Sydney vs Melbourne?
General advice / comments very welcome ^^
I have about 1 month off in Sept/Oct and looking to go to Australia for the first time! Probably a week or two of that time off will be spent stopping over in Tokyo/Hong Kong, so i'll have something like 2-3 weeks to play with for time in Australia.
Keep in mind that I have 1 week to redeem at a Ritz or Marriott property (ya I got the RC card lol). So I was thinking of redeeming it in Sydney, or Tokyo or Hong Kong. I suppose it's slightly off topic to ask how the hotels compare, but if that information is known that would be greatly appreciated.
#1 Is it worth it to spend 1 full week in Sydney? Is there a lot to do see in the area / periphy?
#2 How long to spend in Cairns/ Great barrier reef? We like SCUBA diving. We are getting ours certs in a couple of weeks, but we've been several times before. Is there stuff to do in that region besides SCUBA dive?
#3 Sydney vs Melbourne?
General advice / comments very welcome ^^
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Sydney is a vibrant international city with lively night life and restaurants, etc. Easy to spend a month there much less a week, but whether worth it is your call. The Marriott Sydney Harbour is one of the better uses for points, it was built as a Renaissance hotel so a bit nicer than the average Marriott plus Sydney hotel prices are sky high (I was there a few weeks ago and $800/night for my suite and $480/night for the cheapest available room). But in general hotels in Hong Kong are much nicer than in Australia, but is your vacation goal to sit in hotel room all day? No Ritz located in Australia, but a nice one in HKG.
As for Sydney vs. Melbourne, it is like San Francisco vs. Los Angeles I prefer Melbourne, but much easier to be a tourist in Sydney (the best parts of Melbourne are hidden so you need to explore or have a local guide). Both are in the "top 10" cities world-wide, fwiw, and quite different. Depends on your age and interests.
As for Sydney vs. Melbourne, it is like San Francisco vs. Los Angeles I prefer Melbourne, but much easier to be a tourist in Sydney (the best parts of Melbourne are hidden so you need to explore or have a local guide). Both are in the "top 10" cities world-wide, fwiw, and quite different. Depends on your age and interests.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: The best place on Earth.
Posts: 59
Sydney is a vibrant international city with lively night life and restaurants, etc. Easy to spend a month there much less a week, but whether worth it is your call. The Marriott Sydney Harbour is one of the better uses for points, it was built as a Renaissance hotel so a bit nicer than the average Marriott plus Sydney hotel prices are sky high (I was there a few weeks ago and $800/night for my suite and $480/night for the cheapest available room). But in general hotels in Hong Kong are much nicer than in Australia, but is your vacation goal to sit in hotel room all day? No Ritz located in Australia, but a nice one in HKG.
As for Sydney vs. Melbourne, it is like San Francisco vs. Los Angeles I prefer Melbourne, but much easier to be a tourist in Sydney (the best parts of Melbourne are hidden so you need to explore or have a local guide). Both are in the "top 10" cities world-wide, fwiw, and quite different. Depends on your age and interests.
As for Sydney vs. Melbourne, it is like San Francisco vs. Los Angeles I prefer Melbourne, but much easier to be a tourist in Sydney (the best parts of Melbourne are hidden so you need to explore or have a local guide). Both are in the "top 10" cities world-wide, fwiw, and quite different. Depends on your age and interests.
I agree that sitting in a hotel all week isn't my goal, but I do want to optimize my points. I'm not sure I want to spend a whole week in HKG anyway, I just want to get a taste on the way to Australia.
As for my interests we are a young couple in our 20s. As I said we're gonna have our scuba cert and I am an animal nut (so anything involving seeing / being with animals is awesome). We like beaches and swimming, and also walk-ability in a city makes it fun to walk around and see stuff. Also we are big foodies - so going to good restaurants is always a big highlight. I'm pretty up for trying and seeing most things, but I am not a fan of museums (unless they are extremely unique and must sees).
#4
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 196
Kuranda Scenic Rail and Kuranda Skyrail. Scenic trip through rainforest. Usually do one-way train and one-way Skyrail and spend the day in Kuranda village. Heaps if things to do there like the butterfly sanctuary and cuddle a koala etc.
Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation and Port Douglas. You will need a car or an organized tour as these places are 1-2 hours drive out of Cairns. Stunning drive hugging the coastline to Port Douglas. I would recommend self-drive so you can stop at your own leisure. If you go to all 3 places leave early as it will take a full day. Alternatively just visit Mossman Gorge and Cape Trib as save Port Douglas for another day. The car ferry to cross the Daintree only takes cash.
Adrenaline activities - white water rafting, bungee jumping, skydiving etc - all of course are $100+. Rafting the Tully River is a great day, make sure you book the extreme package.
If you hire the car (really recommend that) then check out Crystal Cascades and Behana Gorge which are local swimming creeks in the rainforest.
Head up to Palm Cove and Trinity Beach for a lunch and a sunbake. Trinity is smaller and more laid back and casual, and Palm Cove has a lot nore shops, restaurants, cafes etc. If you come during summer than you won't be able to swim because of the stingers in the water.
If you're here during the dry season (April to Nov) check out the beach shack at Kewarra Beach. It's a bar right on the sand. Opening days and hours vary, so check their Facebook before you go.
#5
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: HH Gold, CC Gold
Posts: 292
Can't answer you on Cairns/Reef or the Marriot/Ritz questions, but I visited Sydney/Melbourne in 2013. It was my first time there so I hit a bunch of the touristy things.
I was only in Sydney for 2 days (I was in Australia trying to see the Melbourne Cup so it was a side trip), but saw Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Paddy's Market, Botanical Gardens, and Manly Beach. I had The Blue Mountains in my plans, but the big fires earlier that year squashed that - hope to see them next time. The Zoo is supposed to be nice as you take a ferry there and have the harbour as your background while watching the animals.
I had 4 days in Melbourne so I had a bit more time, besides the racetrack - there was the the Melbourne Museum, the Melbourne Cricket Grounds (the National Sports Museum is inside the MCG), and the Fitzroy Gardens includes Capt Cook's Cottage.
I didn't get to it but in the Yarra Valley (about an hour north) there's the Healesville Sanctuary which is supposed to be much better than the zoo in Melbourne.
I did 2 tours while in Melbourne - a Phillip Island tour with The Little Penguin Bus to see the penguins and a 1 day Great Ocean Road tour with Go West. Both were highly rated on Trip Advisor and I thought they did a really great job and saw quite a bit of wildlife/nature. There's some pictures in my trip report. There's also a couple trip reports of people who did the Great Ocean Road by driving it themselves, it's supposed to be much better as you can take your time over a few days and see the whole thing - my tour only did about half of it.
I was only in Sydney for 2 days (I was in Australia trying to see the Melbourne Cup so it was a side trip), but saw Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Paddy's Market, Botanical Gardens, and Manly Beach. I had The Blue Mountains in my plans, but the big fires earlier that year squashed that - hope to see them next time. The Zoo is supposed to be nice as you take a ferry there and have the harbour as your background while watching the animals.
I had 4 days in Melbourne so I had a bit more time, besides the racetrack - there was the the Melbourne Museum, the Melbourne Cricket Grounds (the National Sports Museum is inside the MCG), and the Fitzroy Gardens includes Capt Cook's Cottage.
I didn't get to it but in the Yarra Valley (about an hour north) there's the Healesville Sanctuary which is supposed to be much better than the zoo in Melbourne.
I did 2 tours while in Melbourne - a Phillip Island tour with The Little Penguin Bus to see the penguins and a 1 day Great Ocean Road tour with Go West. Both were highly rated on Trip Advisor and I thought they did a really great job and saw quite a bit of wildlife/nature. There's some pictures in my trip report. There's also a couple trip reports of people who did the Great Ocean Road by driving it themselves, it's supposed to be much better as you can take your time over a few days and see the whole thing - my tour only did about half of it.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: The best place on Earth.
Posts: 59
Absolutely.
Kuranda Scenic Rail and Kuranda Skyrail. Scenic trip through rainforest. Usually do one-way train and one-way Skyrail and spend the day in Kuranda village. Heaps if things to do there like the butterfly sanctuary and cuddle a koala etc.
Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation and Port Douglas. You will need a car or an organized tour as these places are 1-2 hours drive out of Cairns. Stunning drive hugging the coastline to Port Douglas. I would recommend self-drive so you can stop at your own leisure. If you go to all 3 places leave early as it will take a full day. Alternatively just visit Mossman Gorge and Cape Trib as save Port Douglas for another day. The car ferry to cross the Daintree only takes cash.
Adrenaline activities - white water rafting, bungee jumping, skydiving etc - all of course are $100+. Rafting the Tully River is a great day, make sure you book the extreme package.
If you hire the car (really recommend that) then check out Crystal Cascades and Behana Gorge which are local swimming creeks in the rainforest.
Head up to Palm Cove and Trinity Beach for a lunch and a sunbake. Trinity is smaller and more laid back and casual, and Palm Cove has a lot nore shops, restaurants, cafes etc. If you come during summer than you won't be able to swim because of the stingers in the water.
If you're here during the dry season (April to Nov) check out the beach shack at Kewarra Beach. It's a bar right on the sand. Opening days and hours vary, so check their Facebook before you go.
Kuranda Scenic Rail and Kuranda Skyrail. Scenic trip through rainforest. Usually do one-way train and one-way Skyrail and spend the day in Kuranda village. Heaps if things to do there like the butterfly sanctuary and cuddle a koala etc.
Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation and Port Douglas. You will need a car or an organized tour as these places are 1-2 hours drive out of Cairns. Stunning drive hugging the coastline to Port Douglas. I would recommend self-drive so you can stop at your own leisure. If you go to all 3 places leave early as it will take a full day. Alternatively just visit Mossman Gorge and Cape Trib as save Port Douglas for another day. The car ferry to cross the Daintree only takes cash.
Adrenaline activities - white water rafting, bungee jumping, skydiving etc - all of course are $100+. Rafting the Tully River is a great day, make sure you book the extreme package.
If you hire the car (really recommend that) then check out Crystal Cascades and Behana Gorge which are local swimming creeks in the rainforest.
Head up to Palm Cove and Trinity Beach for a lunch and a sunbake. Trinity is smaller and more laid back and casual, and Palm Cove has a lot nore shops, restaurants, cafes etc. If you come during summer than you won't be able to swim because of the stingers in the water.
If you're here during the dry season (April to Nov) check out the beach shack at Kewarra Beach. It's a bar right on the sand. Opening days and hours vary, so check their Facebook before you go.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: The best place on Earth.
Posts: 59
Can't answer you on Cairns/Reef or the Marriot/Ritz questions, but I visited Sydney/Melbourne in 2013. It was my first time there so I hit a bunch of the touristy things.
I was only in Sydney for 2 days (I was in Australia trying to see the Melbourne Cup so it was a side trip), but saw Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Paddy's Market, Botanical Gardens, and Manly Beach. I had The Blue Mountains in my plans, but the big fires earlier that year squashed that - hope to see them next time. The Zoo is supposed to be nice as you take a ferry there and have the harbour as your background while watching the animals.
I had 4 days in Melbourne so I had a bit more time, besides the racetrack - there was the the Melbourne Museum, the Melbourne Cricket Grounds (the National Sports Museum is inside the MCG), and the Fitzroy Gardens includes Capt Cook's Cottage.
I didn't get to it but in the Yarra Valley (about an hour north) there's the Healesville Sanctuary which is supposed to be much better than the zoo in Melbourne.
I did 2 tours while in Melbourne - a Phillip Island tour with The Little Penguin Bus to see the penguins and a 1 day Great Ocean Road tour with Go West. Both were highly rated on Trip Advisor and I thought they did a really great job and saw quite a bit of wildlife/nature. There's some pictures in my trip report. There's also a couple trip reports of people who did the Great Ocean Road by driving it themselves, it's supposed to be much better as you can take your time over a few days and see the whole thing - my tour only did about half of it.
I was only in Sydney for 2 days (I was in Australia trying to see the Melbourne Cup so it was a side trip), but saw Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Paddy's Market, Botanical Gardens, and Manly Beach. I had The Blue Mountains in my plans, but the big fires earlier that year squashed that - hope to see them next time. The Zoo is supposed to be nice as you take a ferry there and have the harbour as your background while watching the animals.
I had 4 days in Melbourne so I had a bit more time, besides the racetrack - there was the the Melbourne Museum, the Melbourne Cricket Grounds (the National Sports Museum is inside the MCG), and the Fitzroy Gardens includes Capt Cook's Cottage.
I didn't get to it but in the Yarra Valley (about an hour north) there's the Healesville Sanctuary which is supposed to be much better than the zoo in Melbourne.
I did 2 tours while in Melbourne - a Phillip Island tour with The Little Penguin Bus to see the penguins and a 1 day Great Ocean Road tour with Go West. Both were highly rated on Trip Advisor and I thought they did a really great job and saw quite a bit of wildlife/nature. There's some pictures in my trip report. There's also a couple trip reports of people who did the Great Ocean Road by driving it themselves, it's supposed to be much better as you can take your time over a few days and see the whole thing - my tour only did about half of it.
Trip Advisor Thread which looks pretty helpful.
Did anyone have a problem driving in Australia on the left side after being used to driving on the right? I guess that would be our only concern driving ourselves.
#9
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 46
Melbourne is great for the foodies, Sydney whilst great for food too, it's probably more for the 'touristy' type stuff. Brisbane is the baby brother of those two cities, but has a lot more diversity in terms of things to do.
http://www.roughguides.com/gallery/m...-the-world/#/7
Don't want to seem biased though If you like animals, QLD has far more options IMO.
http://www.roughguides.com/gallery/m...-the-world/#/7
Don't want to seem biased though If you like animals, QLD has far more options IMO.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Florida
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, Choice Elite Platinum
Posts: 433
I'm tagging along on this thread. I booked biz class LAX>MEL. In addition to MEL, we will also be spending 3 nights in Cairns and 3 nights in Sydney.
Here's my question...might be a lil' embarrassing...but where would be the best place to see kangaroos in the wild? Are some near Blue Mountains? I don't want a zoo.
Here's my question...might be a lil' embarrassing...but where would be the best place to see kangaroos in the wild? Are some near Blue Mountains? I don't want a zoo.
#11
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 196
Wow. Thanks so much for taking the time to write that. That all sounds INCREDIBLE!!! Have you also spent anytime in Sydney / Melbourne? How does it compare to the Cairns region? It sounds like theres a lot to do in the periphy of Cairns anf I'm seriously wondering whether it would be better if I just spent a few days in syd./Mel and spent the rest of the time in cairns and periphy and also doing that great ocean drive someone else mentioned sounds pretty neat!
Have never been to Melbourne, but I've found enough in Sydney to keep me busy for 4-5 days.
#12
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 196
There's a mob of wallabies that live on the side of the highway just north of Cairns. Found a few in the backyard of a house I was looking at the other day
Last edited by kcupp95; Feb 20, 2015 at 9:06 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: HH Gold, CC Gold
Posts: 292
That sounds neat. Thanks for your input! Did you feel that 2 and 4 days was enough? As for the ocean drive that sounds spectacular. If you start out from Melbourne do you drive all the way out to allansford along the ocean drive and then to get back to Melbourne is there another alternative (like flying/train/etc) to get back? ETA: I just found this
Trip Advisor Thread which looks pretty helpful.
Did anyone have a problem driving in Australia on the left side after being used to driving on the right? I guess that would be our only concern driving ourselves.
Trip Advisor Thread which looks pretty helpful.
Did anyone have a problem driving in Australia on the left side after being used to driving on the right? I guess that would be our only concern driving ourselves.
The four days worked pretty well for Melbourne for hitting the major tourist things. When I return I'd start looking for more things off the tourist trail and seeing the Melbourne Cup!
I don't remember the route the tour van took for the Great Ocean Road, but it went inland for a few miles to cut some time. I don't drive either so part of the reason I did the tour van thing, no driving for me. ^ There's no train on the Great Ocean Road, it's literally is on the edge of the coast so no room for tracks. You can take a train back from Geelong or out in Warrnambool but it'll be an inland route. I think there's an airport in Geelong - I would look at the official site for more info on that.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: HH Gold, CC Gold
Posts: 292
I'm tagging along on this thread. I booked biz class LAX>MEL. In addition to MEL, we will also be spending 3 nights in Cairns and 3 nights in Sydney.
Here's my question...might be a lil' embarrassing...but where would be the best place to see kangaroos in the wild? Are some near Blue Mountains? I don't want a zoo.
Here's my question...might be a lil' embarrassing...but where would be the best place to see kangaroos in the wild? Are some near Blue Mountains? I don't want a zoo.
Oh and close to Melbourne airport there's supposed to have wild kangaroos near Woodlands Historic Park. It's part of the Living Legends (famous retired Australian racehorses) tour I didn't get to.