posted 07-27-2004 16:55               

Check out http://www.travelmate.com.au .
It might give you a few ideas. You can also find distances between towns there.

posted 07-28-2004 11:37               

We honeymooned in Sydney, Hobart, Tasmania and Palm Cove (in between Cairns and Port Douglas). WE loved every minute of it!

We spent 4 nights in Sydney then flew down to Hobart for 3 nights then up to the Reef for 4 nights then back down to Sydney for 3 nights before flying home.

IN that time in Sydney there was soooo much we still didn't see or do so 2 days isn't nearly enough.

We took 2 day trips-- 1 couch bus trip to Canberra that was amazing and a 4x4 type tour to the Blue Mtns and an animal park.

We spent the better part of one day ferrying over to Manly Beach and taking a jet boat ride (do the ones outside the Harbor!!).

The first part we stayed at the Hilton in the CBD and the 2nd leg in Sydney we stayed at the 4pts Sheraton on Darling Harbour.

Did the Bridgeclimb (evening/night climb) as well!

I personally think Tasmania is not to be missed!!!!

We flew Qantas out of LA (FF miles dictacted what city from Pittsburgh) and we are using Qantas to Auckland this time out of LA. We will fly directly back from Melbourne to LA.

There were plenty of meals, drinks and movies to keep me entertained. I would watch a movie, take a nap, get up every few hours and stretch my legs to avoid DVT!

IT is worth every moment on the plane once you arrive! We like Australia so much we have seriously considered moving there if Hubby could get a sponsored job and moving assistance! Part of the reason we are checking out Melbourne this time around!

Feel free to ask any questions! I did a ton of research on Fodor's message boards.

I can't remember if you gave a time frame? We went the 1st two weeks of October (spring time) and had AMAZING weather even at the Reef. Tassie was a bit cooler and drizzling but nothing to stop your activities. Sydney was downright beautiful!

I am not thrilled with our August time frame for this trip but I am in school and limited to the schedule they give me!!!

50-60 degrees is warm enough for me!

Shannon

posted 07-28-2004 11:48               

Official Travel Website.

Qantas offers a lot of special deals by the way with flights/hotels. I think I had an email the other day but already deleted it for airfare under $1000.
http://www.qantasusa.com/

Even lower than that $650 wow! great price!! ;-)

With only 10 days you are going to be pinched to see more than 2 places that is for sure...IF you like to DIVE then I say Sydney and the Reef. A 2 day trip to Ayers Rock will run you $1000 (2 people, 1 night lodging and airfare). It wasn't worth the $ in my book.

Fly out Friday evening, arrive Sunday morning and then leave the following Sunday morning (arriving back that night in the US). Not a lot of time for a 15-20 hr flight if you have to connect out of LA to get home. TRY to squeeze out 2 weeks if at all possible.

We lost 1/2 day flying from Sydney to Cairns each way. You might be able to get a direct flight from Cairns back to LA????

posted 07-29-2004 06:56               

------------------
Hold a true friend with both hands

posted 07-30-2004 10:01               

We just booked the Bridge Climb for Sunday afternoon...I hope we aren't exhausted!

IF you go to Sydney and aren't afraid of heights I recommend the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb. It was truly amazing! I think Melbourne has one as well.

posted 08-17-2004 01:50            

Someone mentioned the Sun Coast - this is actually the Sunshine Coast a little north or Brisbane. It's in a funny little weather belt and it is pretty well perfect all year round - never too hot, never too cold. It is an easy drive to Brisbane, and even fairly easy drive to the Gold Coast south of Brisbane where the really big tourist attractions are, like the theme parks - not really anywhere near the Disney/Universal oompf, but can be worth a trip. Dreamworld has a bit more of an Australain theme to it than the others (MovieWorld and Sea World).