Hello all!

I am planning my first international trip to a friend's weddding in Melbourne on Jan 23. This will be the first time that I am planning everything myself since I've had others plan it for me in the past so I am quite nervous and a little overwhelmed at the options available. I will be taking my girlfriend along with me, and since this will be the first time we've traveled internationally together, I really want it to be a memorable trip

Since the wedding is on the 23rd, I wanted to spend some time there before, so we've blocked off 2 weeks to visit Australia..

For those experienced in traveling to Australia, what suggestions do you recommend? I found a couple of blogs and sites online that recommend places, but perhaps you may have some insight that may be better.

For now, we are definitely stopping by Sydney, then maybe visiting up north to Brisbane or New Zealand, but if there are other places that are better, please chime in!

Also, what are your thoughts on going thru an agent vs doing it myself?

Thanks!