There is something to consider of you go to the Great Ocean Road/Walk and the Cape Otway area in Victoria. There have been bushfires there which have severely impacted some of the bushland. Consequently you may not see some bushland at it best. Perhaps take time to visit Parks Victoria to get the latest updates.
Safe travels :-)
On the drive or fly from Sydney to Melbourne question -
It takes maybe 10-12 hours to drive including stops, mostly on a divided highway similar to US Interstates, or 1:15 flying time, plus an hour to get to the airport, plus checkin an hour before takeoff, plus 30 mins to get your bags, plus up to an hour to get into the city (including waiting time) = nearly 5 hours of moderately stressful time. All you see is the road to and from the airport, and the inside of 2 airport terminals. However, some people, including me, like the process of flying or taking long distance trains.
Some posters here will say that the drive is boring - well, to them it is because the landscape is familiar to them. To a visitor who's 'not from here' it would be all new and therefore an interesting drive, particularly if they divert off the freeway into some of the small towns along the way (I suggest Goulburn, Gundagai, Holbrook, Wangaratta, Benalla, Violet Town). For someone who is not familiar with driving on the left side of the road in a right hand drive car it might be moderately stressful. Canberra might be as boring as Ottawa (but I have not been to Ottawa so cant comment) but on a fine day it is beautiful to look at, particularly around the lake, has some magnificent public buildings (suggest Parliament House, National Gallery, War Memorial - for an insight on what's important to Aussies) and plenty of good eating places. There is a good wildlife park there too. Canberra deserves at least one whole day if you decide to go there.
I'll leave comments on the other aspects of the OP to others - they've covered it pretty well.
Hi Nathalie,
I would stick with Melbourne and Tasmania.
For seeing animals in Tasmania - stay at Peppers Lodge at Cradle Mountain. You will have wallabies coming up to the back door of your cabin and hopping around on the tracks between the cabins and the restaurants (have personally experienced this and also saw wombats running around the grounds!) You can rent canoes etc and canoe on Dove Lake which is cold but beautiful.
Wineglass Bay (about 2.5 hour drive from Hobart) is beautiful and you will see wildlife on the hike up to the lookout and down to the beach.
Melbourne is perfect for food and wine. Both the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley are great areas with lots of wineries, restaurants etc. However head to the Mornington Peninsula if you'd like to see beaches or to visit the Peninsula Hot Springs for a bathe and massage.
Hope this helps!
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