Australia: is this itinerary doable? (without too much stress)
Replies: 12 - Last Post: Aug 23, 2012 1:35 PM Last Post By: Elizabeth2
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Australia: is this itinerary doable? (without too much stress)
Hi all,I plan to go to Australia in February for 5 weeks. This is, roughly, the itineray I have in mind. Can any of you locals and experts help me and check if this is doable? And I mean without too much stress, as I like to take it easy on holiday. :)
I would arrive in Melbourne and fly back from Cairns.
- Arrive in Melbourne and stay for 5 days
- Domestic flight to Tasmania, stay for 5 days
- Domestic flight to Sydney, stay for week (incl. Blue Mountains)
- Take bus up north, first stop: Byron Bay, stay for 2,3 days
- Go further up north to Queensland, stop with bus at nice places, maybe Noosa, Fraser Island, Whitsunday islands...: 10 -12 days
- Fly back home from Cairns
If it's too much I could maybe skip Tasmania?
I would also like to do Uluru. Not sure how many days (around 3?). Where do you think it would fit best in my itinerary?
Thanks a lot!!
Cheers,
Elizabeth
2
Very doable, though you will need to sketch a few things in.- What are you doing in Melbourne? Nice city, but few would give it 5 days. Perhaps the Great Ocean Road? If so, then a 2 day tour would be best.
- Where in Tasmania? It's not possible to see the entire state in 5 days, so pick a few highlights. Like, maybe, Strahan and Cradle Mountain from Hobart. Or Freycinet. Port Arthur is a good day trip from Hobart
- Sydney for a week is good, especially this time of year. Spend lots of time on beaches, take a Manly ferry and spend the day in Manly, take a bus up to Palm Beach, take a day trip to the Blue Mountains, or a 2 day trip to also see Jenolan Caves. You could also take day trips or more to Canberra or the Hunter Valley.
- Bus this time of year up the north coast is great, and Byron will be superb. beyond that you have the Gold Coast, Gold Coast Hinterland, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast (Noosa) and Fraser Island.
- Yes, it will be very hot and humid, but is still wouldn't miss North and Far North Queensland. The Whitsundays will be a little more pleasant and still gve you the reef, or Cairns for the reef and Rainforest. But after Fraser there's lots of long boring drives. Maybe fly this bit? Also, prepare to ditch it if a cylone is coming or weather looks foul.
3
Queensland (Humid) and inland OZ is extremely warm in February. I would add on to Tasmania and decrease Melbourne by 2 days. Try and stick to the coast in terms of weather.5
Tasmania in Feb will be ace. Make that the main part of your trip.6
Hey,Thanks everyone for the replies. Much appreciated!
I am puzzled about Queensland now. If I may, I'd like to ask a few questions about that:
- Till where do you think it's okay to go weatherwise?
- I'm just scared of missing out by not seeing The Great Barrier Reef. But you guys think it's just not a good idea in Feb?
- Do you think it's a better idea to fly back to Europe from Brisbane then Cairns? (of course I could always come back from Brisbane to Sydney, and fly home from Sydney)
- How long do you travel by bus between Sydney and Byron Bay? Do you think it's better to take a domestic plane to Brisbane maybe?
So if you could answer these questions, I would be most grateful!!
:-)
Goodnight & thanks a lot!
7
Depends on your ticket. Certainly Brisbane and especially Sydney have more connections than Cairns so tickets to/from those places should be cheaper and more flexible.The wet season in Northern Queensland is not the best season to go. It can even be a bit unpleasant at times. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't go. There are bound to be some nice "off season" compensations. But for me, I'd rather be in Tasmania
8
No, actually, there's not such a huge difference in prices, it turns out.I just want to choose a 'smart' destination to fly back from, in terms of not wasting time and getting the maximum out of my five weeks. Not sure whether that's Sydney, Brisbane or Cairns.
Maybe I should stop at Whitsunday Islands (they should still be nice in February, no?), and from there get back to Brisbane (by bus?), and fly back home from Brisbane?
I guess what I want to do in those five weeks are:
Two cities (Melbourne & Sydney) and surroundings, nature (Tasmania), history (Uluru) and great beaches and marine life (Queensland). Also, I like to stay in one place for around 5-7 nights and do stuff from there.
GUess I have to accept I won't see everything. ;-) Which is why I want to make good choices in the places I do see.
9
Do NOT skip Queensland. Yes, it's not the perfect time to be here, but dont be scared off by the horror stories. It will be hot, humid and maybe wet, but you are right, do NOT miss the Reef.Fly back from whatever gives you the best price, as long as this does not make too big a hole in your plans.
10
I stayed in Cairns in early march for a week and it was brilliant. The weather was a bit humid but it is the tropics, and hotels were really good value and the lines to get places (reef boat, croc boat) were not long as there were not heaps of tourists
