re: Australia - 9 Days Down Under (Uluru, Melbourne, Cairns, Sydney) - Leave Wednesday

I highly recommend the stargazing program at Uluru. It sounds like the only night you can do it is when you get there though. They basically set up high powered telescopes about 10 minutes walking away from some of the restaurants in the main development. It is truly amazing. You have to sign up for it and there is a fee.

At the cultural center, there will be local artists selling dot paintings. Their work is outstanding and you will not find better prices anywhere else so pick it up if you like it. Get a packing tube from the shipping center so you don't ruin the work on your onward travels.

In Melbourne, there is a tour of an old jail (Gaol) that we found entertaining. I'm kind of into that kind of stuff though.

In Sydney, make sure you get out on the water. We took a roundtrip ferry every night from Circular Quay just to see the views. You can take a regional train to and buses around the Blue Mountains. Maybe look into it (or the car will be fine too). Worth doing in Sydney if you have time - Bondi beach, the Rocks area, the Harbor bridge climb.

In Cairns, take motion sickness medicine before heading out to the reef. Just do it.

You don't need to go to Taronga Zoo if you go to Featherdale. Pro tip at Featherdale: there will be kangaroos you can feed close to the entrance. There may be lots of people trying to feed them but the kangaroos won't be interested because they're full. Keep going through the park and you will come to another area with kangaroos. Feed them. You're welcome.

Have a blast man. Australia is awesome.