Australia

[paulllambert]

My wife and I are planning to visit Australia next year for a month (26 days in country). We want to visit Sydney, Brisbane/Gold Coast, Melbourne, Adelaide and Tasmania. I've been told the drive from Melbourne to Adelaide is worthwhile, but how else would you suggest we divide the time, taking into account things to do/places to see etc?
TIA

[heathfield]

I'd suggest making sure your wife has a tablet, rechargeable from the car's cigarette lighter socket, and filled with as many games as it will hold.

[ST24]

If you haven't already, have a look at the Australian Tourism website http://www.australia.com/

[jno]

driving from Brisbane via Sydney and Melbourne to Adelaide is about 1600 miles, so you'd need to factor in a few days just for the travelling, if you want to drive all the way. Give yourself three or four days in each of the big cities (though personally I'd skip Brisbane, the others are much more interesting). Hotels and motels are easy to find. The Aussie dollar is stronger than the US dollar at the moment, so don't count on it being cheap.

[Zeuhl]

Melbourne and Adelaide are nice cities but not overloaded with 'sights' or significant places to visit

I would allow more time in Sydney which has lots to see and do and lots of interesting excursions within reach of the city.

Ditto The Gold Coast/Brisbane
This is very different climate so it depends on your liking for The Tropics. If you are interested in Tropical Landscapes/wildlife or the Ocean then there are opportunities for excursions inland and don't overlook the chance to travel up and see one of the wonders of the world; The Great Barrier Reef especially if you are snorkellers or divers

Sorry- not been to Tasmania, but apparently it has some Colonial historic sites

[jno]

not so sure about Brizzy, Zeuhl - you'd see more interesting things, from reef to rainforest, in Cairns, I would have thought; but it's a long way north and maybe not on paulllambert's radar.

[Zeuhl]

yeah you could be right jno

Cairns is better - we drove up to Cairns from Brisbane and i can't remember how long it took as we did it in stages. It would be a short flight I guess.

I suppose they could access the lower bit of the GBR from Mackay which isn't too far north.

[paulllambert]

Thanks for your answers. Sorry to mislead you, but Melbourne to Adelaide would be the only part I'd be driving (if at all). The rest would be internal flights. Thanks again

[Reiver]

Dunno your travel time Melbourne - Adelaide but going via the Great Ocean Road is a must. The web site above has it.

[coccinelle]

I'd skip Brisbane too and fly to Cairns and stay in Port Douglas. It's a lovely place. There's access to the Great Barrier Reef as well as the Rainforest trips. When I was there I flew to Alice Springs and then by coach visited Ayer's Rock for an overnight stop (sunset and sunrise) which was magical then flew out of Ayer's Rock. Adelaide was a disappointment even with the flight over to Kangaroo Island. Tasmania is a beautiful island and well worth visiting. From Melbourne visiting Phillip Island at sunset is a must, to see the fairy penguins come in from the sea. Personally i didn't like the town but I'm not a town person. Sydney is a lovely city with lots to see, especially the botanical gardens.

[nukaburt]

Hi Paullambert ! Look Australia is a very beautiful country and the places you wanted to visit are the great one's. So, I had travel to Melbourne, Australia in June and August when winter season falls. The places you will don't forget to visit is
1. Port Campbell national park
2. Yarra River
3. National Art Gallery etc.

http://www.joguru.com/melbourne-australia/

[armidatrentino]

I have been to Australia many times and it gives always different experience whenever I visit this place.

Australia is really an awesome country to enjoy the holidays and here you can visit many tourist cities and destinations. Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide are the best cities to enjoy the trip and here you will get the best options for accommodation, eat out places and transportation according to your requirement and budget.

In all of the tourist cities above, you can visit many various tourist spots but Melbourne city has a different stand among all of them. Melbourne is known as most sport loving city in Australia and here you can visit various sport events and tournaments if you are a sport loving person.

Just have a look at the video below for best information about best sport events in the Melbourne.

http://dianaabend.wordpress.com/2013/06/10/top-sports-events-in-melbourne/

I thing you should miss this amazing city in 26 days trip to Australia. Have an enjoyable and safe trip.