Help me plan my 9 day trip!
Replies: 9 - Last Post: Nov 1, 2012 1:22 AM Last Post By: meredithh
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Help me plan my 9 day trip!
I only have 9 full days in Australia and will definitely hit Cairns for GBR, Sydney and Outback/Ayers Rock. I plan to fly between all. I will be coming into Cairns on 2 Dec early in the morning and leaving Sydney on 11 Dec. So far I know I would like to do a one-day snorkeling/diving trip in Cairns (maybe do a rainforest tour?). Anything else is a must in Cairns? How many days should I spend there? Are two full days enough and fly out the 4 Dec? I've heard you can do Ayers Rock over 2 day/1night period. I know it's pricey but if I'm coming across the world why not. Any suggestions about tour companies or other tips/advice about Ayers Rock. For the second night in the outback any suggestions? How about Sydney, how many days there? Are the Blue Mountains worth a day trip? Manley or Bondi Beach? I'm flying out of Sydney, and I most likely need to fly through there to get over to Uluru, so I was thinking about doing Cairns, then Sydney, Ulruhu and back to Sydney on 10 Dec before I depart on the 11th. Any other place I can add in?If anyone is good at putting together itineraries that would be much appreciated. Thank You!
1
You have 3 days in each location. Obviously more is better, but if I only had 9 days this is pretty much what I would do.Due to transport, you really only have 2 days in most places, as each of these flights is 2-3 hours, then when you factor in getting to airports and check in/baggage you've pretty much lost that day.
I would do this:
- Cairns even an "early arrival" will make it hard to do much this day, other than see the city. There MIGHT be time to do the Kuranda sky rail and or train, or a half day tour to Mossman Gorge, but if you want to make the Daintree you'll probably need an extra day here. So, I'd spend Dec 2 seeing Cairns and recovering, and Dec 3 and 4 doing full day reef and rainforest tours. For the reef make sure you go to the outer Reef, and not just the low isles. There are dozens of tours. The most biggest and most expensive, but I reckon the best for this sort of hit and run tour is Quicksilver. You take a high speed catamaran to the Reef, tie up at a pontoon, and the snorkel for the day. They also have underwater viewing platforms. For the rainforest you'd want to see Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation.
Dec 7 fly to Sydney and spend the remainder there. YES, have a day in Manly, catching the Manly ferry, a fabulous 45 minute ride each way across the harbour, past the Opera House and heads. Maybe also spend part of this day walking around Circular Quay (where the ferry leaves from) to the Bridge and Opera House.
Yes, the Blue Mountains is worth a full day trip.
Everyone seems to want to go Bondi, it's close enough.
Don't waste precious time going Cairns-Sydney (a 4 hour flight) then Uluru a (3-4 hour flight) then back to Sydney (3-4 hour flight). Go Cairns-Uluru-Sydney and save time.
3
Agree with Harry. Don't worry about the heat, carry an umbrella and walk in its shade at Uluru---the heat will be a dry heat and not so debilitating. It will probably be hot and sticky weather in Cairns and possibly rainy, but you're here when you're here. Your umbrella will probably stop a shower or two, and they will have stinger suits available on the Quiksilver, and also on another big boat that moves around to several spots on the outer reef, the Silverswift. You might also want to try a "tourist dive" since you've travelled a long way to get here. I know Silverswift offers these to snorkellers for a fee, and it may also be an option on Quiksilver. Enjoy your trip!4
Just be aware of flying after even shallow tourist dives however. To be safe if you decide to tourist dive, let them know when you are flying to Uluru, they prob b won't let you dive if you fly the next day. Snorkelling is fine though and for many parts of the reef its amazing, although i'll never forget my tourist dive on the reef a few years back.There is a 7:30 direct flight to Uluru from Cairns and also an indirect flight via Alice Springs, which IMO would be the second best option. Both on Qantas and both not cheap. I wouldn't waste time flying via Virgin to save money here.
5
Heat is a big factor this time of year. Cairns will be hot and humid, which makes it hard to do much on foot. Take tours, take the boat to the reef etc. No swimming at beaches, but fine at the reef.Uluru will be scorching, which is why most people do stuff at sunrise or sunset, and spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool.
Sydney will be perfect. Warm, not too hot, great beaches, few crowds.
6
well lot of ground personaly i took the train ride to the blue mountains, got off walked around the small town went back to sydney. the ride was kinda scenic. i liked bondi. quite aussie. beach larger than one in hawaie. easy cheap ride by bus or train frm sydney central. cairns you go to kuranda thats nice, walk the bridge when in sydney forget the so called climb. just a money grab imho.
