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Started By
Message
has anyone done Australia?
Posted on 3/14/26 at 7:59 am
Posted on 3/14/26 at 7:59 am
I cannot find a good thread on here...
My wife and I with 2 daughters (9 and 14) want to go in July for 2 weeks. Looking for recommendations on how to pack in what we can. Sydney and Cairns (Great Barrier Reef) are probably the top 2 places on our list. But then there are other options like Melbourne and The Outback (probably stop 3). I wish we could throw in New Zealand, but I do not think it is possible on. a 2 week trip. Would appreciate any advice!
My wife and I with 2 daughters (9 and 14) want to go in July for 2 weeks. Looking for recommendations on how to pack in what we can. Sydney and Cairns (Great Barrier Reef) are probably the top 2 places on our list. But then there are other options like Melbourne and The Outback (probably stop 3). I wish we could throw in New Zealand, but I do not think it is possible on. a 2 week trip. Would appreciate any advice!
8
Posted on 3/14/26 at 11:25 am to AndyJ
It'll be winter, but Australia is massive.
I was in Melbourne in December for two and a half days. The business district has some neatly architected buildings. Melbourne in December had really weird weather. You'd walk a block being blasted by the sun, then on the next block it would rain on you, only to stop before you got to the next block.
The 18 hour flight in economy (from LAX) wasn't bad at all, except for the 15 hours of turbulence
I was in Melbourne in December for two and a half days. The business district has some neatly architected buildings. Melbourne in December had really weird weather. You'd walk a block being blasted by the sun, then on the next block it would rain on you, only to stop before you got to the next block.
The 18 hour flight in economy (from LAX) wasn't bad at all, except for the 15 hours of turbulence
Posted on 3/14/26 at 12:33 pm to LemmyLives
Thanks so much!
I an lucky to have 2 million chase points, so we are going to do lie flat seats hopefully (for the first and last time)
I an lucky to have 2 million chase points, so we are going to do lie flat seats hopefully (for the first and last time)
Posted on 3/14/26 at 1:23 pm to AndyJ
make sure to get up and walk around on the plane a lot. Super helpful. Also, Australia is freaking amazing. Only done Sydney but it was a hell of a great city. There are lots of good areas around the harbor. The food is amazing. Whalebone next to the opera house was money. Go to the taronga zoo if that's your thing. Have a blast mate! Sydney and Gold coast are probably your best bets with two weeks, but a weekend in Auckland I would imagine is doable if you wanted to take another flight.
This post was edited on 3/14/26 at 1:25 pm
Posted on 3/14/26 at 1:31 pm to AndyJ
Cairns and Sydney are the equivalent of flying from NYC to Florida. I didn't enjoy Sydney all that much, but the blue mountains are nice. I loved my trip to Uluru, did a camping and hiking trip in the outback. But again that's the equivalent of flying to Kansas from NYC. I think if you figure out your priorities that will help determine where and how long to stay
Posted on 3/14/26 at 4:33 pm to Richleau
Thanks Rich and Cuse
Totally makes sense. But the reality is this will be my last time there for from 10-30 years if ever.
Totally makes sense. But the reality is this will be my last time there for from 10-30 years if ever.
Posted on 3/14/26 at 4:41 pm to AndyJ
Sydney to me was like NYC. I signed up for a half day tour of the city and was glad I did. Good way to see the sights.
Remember day 1 you're going to be jetlagged. Most flights arrive around 6-8am from the US so be prepared. Cairns was a few days trip, not longer. The outback or uluru was another several days. I flew into Alice springs and out of the ayers rock airport for the camping tour. All gear was provided
Remember day 1 you're going to be jetlagged. Most flights arrive around 6-8am from the US so be prepared. Cairns was a few days trip, not longer. The outback or uluru was another several days. I flew into Alice springs and out of the ayers rock airport for the camping tour. All gear was provided
This post was edited on 3/14/26 at 4:45 pm
Posted on 3/14/26 at 6:17 pm to CuseTiger
Thanks brother
It will also be winter in Sydney when I get there
It will also be winter in Sydney when I get there
Posted on 3/14/26 at 6:20 pm to CuseTiger
What do you think about 3 nights Sydney-3hr flight to Cairns for 3 nights-3hr flight to Uluru for 3 nights-2 hr flight to Melbourne 3 nights? Then fly home from Melbourne. Thats 12 nights total. I could probably do 15 total…
Thanks so much again
Thanks so much again
This post was edited on 3/14/26 at 10:33 pm
Posted on 3/15/26 at 8:39 pm to AndyJ
Only did Perth when sister in law and family were there. Loved it, reminded me of San Diego.
Posted on 3/15/26 at 11:15 pm to Shotgun Willie
Perth would be great, but it is too far :(
Posted on 3/16/26 at 6:25 am to AndyJ
My wife and I went for 6 weeks when we were younger. Stayed with her “rellies” some and backpacked and camped on our own as well. We stayed in North Queensland for the majority of our trip and enjoyed it. That being said, we were living out of backpacks and just dirtbagging it in our youth. Really different when you have kids with you.
Anyway, Cairns is a good base of operations if you like adventure style travel. Lots of tours and such operation f out of there. You can check out the Daintree (rainforest) and the Great Barrier Reef from there. We did a small eco-cruise out of, I believe, Townsville that went up to Cairns (I think). It was two nights and involved fishing and diving. Boat was pretty small and didn’t handle big seas well though.
We aren’t too into big cities, so didn’t spend much time on Sydney.
Anyway, Cairns is a good base of operations if you like adventure style travel. Lots of tours and such operation f out of there. You can check out the Daintree (rainforest) and the Great Barrier Reef from there. We did a small eco-cruise out of, I believe, Townsville that went up to Cairns (I think). It was two nights and involved fishing and diving. Boat was pretty small and didn’t handle big seas well though.
We aren’t too into big cities, so didn’t spend much time on Sydney.
This post was edited on 3/16/26 at 6:27 am
Posted on 3/16/26 at 9:46 am to AndyJ
If you do find yourself in Melbourne, make sure to take the time and go to the Great Ocean Road tour.
Also, make some time to go to Brisbane. Go to the Gold Coast and to Steve Irwin's Zoo.
Also, make some time to go to Brisbane. Go to the Gold Coast and to Steve Irwin's Zoo.
Posted on 3/16/26 at 5:34 pm to AndyJ
1.) Fly into Sydney and stay for only a few days. One to get your feet underneath you. A couple to explore. See the Opera House, the Bridge, maybe hit Bondi or Manly beaches. Go to a zoo.
2.) Blue Mountains. See the Three Sisters (hell, walk on them), take the sky tram train thing.
3.) See the Kiama Blowhole and the light house.
4.) Head up to Newcastle for a day or two. Nice coastal town. Lots of restaurants. Ft. Scratchley. Nobby's Light House.
5.) If you like wine, head due west from Newcastle and head into the Hunter Valley which is not only beautiful, but has hundreds of wineries. Simply outstanding country.
6.) Taronga Western Plains Zoo (a.k.a. "Dubbo Zoo") Rent a tent on the edge of the "savannah" exhibit. Wake up to giraffes and Rhinos and antelope 3 feet from your door.
7.) Go to any zoo that allows the kids to hold a koala or pet/feed any of the animals.
8.) Beers to drink: Cooper's; Little Creatures; Tuohy's New; Lashes; Feral Hop Hog; VB (Victoria Bitter).
9.) Must eat a meat pie from somewhere. A cheap one and an expensive one. Must eat Kangaroo. When eating seafood, always get the prawns. Also, try a Morton's Bay Bug (google it...it's awesome).Try vegemite, but ask a proper Aussie how to eat it first. Other than that, most of the food is very Americanized.
10.) Candy/Sweets: Tim Tams are a must; Cherry Ripes are my favorite candy; Lamington; rolled pavlova; cadbury caramello koala; violet crumble; Milo; Milo Kit Kat. (many more, but I can't think of them right now).
I could go on and on...
2.) Blue Mountains. See the Three Sisters (hell, walk on them), take the sky tram train thing.
3.) See the Kiama Blowhole and the light house.
4.) Head up to Newcastle for a day or two. Nice coastal town. Lots of restaurants. Ft. Scratchley. Nobby's Light House.
5.) If you like wine, head due west from Newcastle and head into the Hunter Valley which is not only beautiful, but has hundreds of wineries. Simply outstanding country.
6.) Taronga Western Plains Zoo (a.k.a. "Dubbo Zoo") Rent a tent on the edge of the "savannah" exhibit. Wake up to giraffes and Rhinos and antelope 3 feet from your door.
7.) Go to any zoo that allows the kids to hold a koala or pet/feed any of the animals.
8.) Beers to drink: Cooper's; Little Creatures; Tuohy's New; Lashes; Feral Hop Hog; VB (Victoria Bitter).
9.) Must eat a meat pie from somewhere. A cheap one and an expensive one. Must eat Kangaroo. When eating seafood, always get the prawns. Also, try a Morton's Bay Bug (google it...it's awesome).Try vegemite, but ask a proper Aussie how to eat it first. Other than that, most of the food is very Americanized.
10.) Candy/Sweets: Tim Tams are a must; Cherry Ripes are my favorite candy; Lamington; rolled pavlova; cadbury caramello koala; violet crumble; Milo; Milo Kit Kat. (many more, but I can't think of them right now).
I could go on and on...
Posted on 3/16/26 at 6:20 pm to AndyJ
quote:
I wish we could throw in New Zealand, but I do not think it is possible on. a 2 week trip. Would appreciate any advice!
While I can't speak from personal experience, everyone I've ever talked to who has done both significantly preferred New Zealand to Australia. Just food for thought.
Posted on 3/16/26 at 8:19 pm to Joshjrn
Thank you so much for both posts, particularly the detail in the first one. I am going to take a deeper dive into everything you wrote
Posted on 3/16/26 at 9:44 pm to AndyJ
No matter how young you think you are, get compression socks, and drink a metric yard of water. Get a collapsible bladder for at least 1L of water each so you can fill it after security.
ETA: Metric yard. Way to screw that up. I meant a fark ton of water.
ETA: Metric yard. Way to screw that up. I meant a fark ton of water.
This post was edited on 3/16/26 at 9:53 pm
Posted on 3/17/26 at 11:45 am to AndyJ
Did New Zealand AND Sydney area in about a week and a half back in summer 2023 when I took my daughter to see the women's World Cup.
Rough itinerary and a few pics:
Saturday-- left New Orleans on 3 leg flight to New Zealand (New Orleans-Houston-San Francisco-Auckland)
Monday morning (lost a day crossing international date line) -- Arrived in Auckland, sightsaw in town-- tower, museums, waterfront, etc.
Tuesday - rented a car (wrong side driving) and drove to Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, hiked to Karamatura Falls and did the Mercer Bay Loop Walk and Piha Beach.
Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
Mercer Bay Loop
Wednesday- Left Auckland and drove down through BEAUTUFUL country to Wellington, passing by Bridal Veil Falls, Huka Falls, Lake Taupo, and Mount Ruapehu (where we drove through falling SNOW), arrived in Wellington.
Interior country on North Island
Bridal Veil Falls
Huka Falls
Thursday- One full day in Wellington-- sightsaw in the morning, dropped off rental car, World Cup game in the afternoon, more sight seeing in the evening.
Wellington
Friday - Left early flight to Sydney; lunch and sightseeing downtown Sydney (bridges, Opera house, lots of ferry rides). Caught a world cup game in Sydney that night.
Saturday - Took a train to Katoomba and the Blue Mountains National Park for the day. Had prawns ( shrimp on the barbie) at a nice water side restaurant downtown.
Three Sisters, Blue Mountains National Park
Sunday - rented a car (another wrong side driving adventure), drove out to the burbs to Featherdale Wildlife Park (mostly Australian wildlife) and petted kangaroos, wombats, etc, drove to Manly Beach and saw surfers, drove around town and saw a few other sights, ended with a nice Malaysian dinner.
Monday flew home in a two-leg flight (Sydney-L.A.-New Orleans)
Rough itinerary and a few pics:
Saturday-- left New Orleans on 3 leg flight to New Zealand (New Orleans-Houston-San Francisco-Auckland)
Monday morning (lost a day crossing international date line) -- Arrived in Auckland, sightsaw in town-- tower, museums, waterfront, etc.
Tuesday - rented a car (wrong side driving) and drove to Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, hiked to Karamatura Falls and did the Mercer Bay Loop Walk and Piha Beach.
Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
Mercer Bay Loop
Wednesday- Left Auckland and drove down through BEAUTUFUL country to Wellington, passing by Bridal Veil Falls, Huka Falls, Lake Taupo, and Mount Ruapehu (where we drove through falling SNOW), arrived in Wellington.
Interior country on North Island
Bridal Veil Falls
Huka Falls
Thursday- One full day in Wellington-- sightsaw in the morning, dropped off rental car, World Cup game in the afternoon, more sight seeing in the evening.
Wellington
Friday - Left early flight to Sydney; lunch and sightseeing downtown Sydney (bridges, Opera house, lots of ferry rides). Caught a world cup game in Sydney that night.
Saturday - Took a train to Katoomba and the Blue Mountains National Park for the day. Had prawns ( shrimp on the barbie) at a nice water side restaurant downtown.
Three Sisters, Blue Mountains National Park
Sunday - rented a car (another wrong side driving adventure), drove out to the burbs to Featherdale Wildlife Park (mostly Australian wildlife) and petted kangaroos, wombats, etc, drove to Manly Beach and saw surfers, drove around town and saw a few other sights, ended with a nice Malaysian dinner.
Monday flew home in a two-leg flight (Sydney-L.A.-New Orleans)
Posted on 3/17/26 at 12:49 pm to LemmyLives
quote:
Australia is massive
Spent 3 weeks flying in to Melbourne returning out of Sydney. Tasmania on the cool south to Darwin & Cairns on Tropical north. Personally enjoyed smaller Melbourne over vast Sydney. Uluru offers a full range of accommodations. Book a tour around the rock and a camel ride through the predawn bush to see sunrise on the rock. Skip Alice Springs unless you want to catch Gan train up to Darwin. Your family might enjoy trains as there used to be in US.
Rain forests are more easily enjoyed than Barrier Reef. Swimming in a "stinger suit" to avoid potentially deadly jellyfish stings takes some of the joy out of it.
NZ is a grand country without the vast arid areas of Australia. Save it for a separate trip.
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