Reply to: Trip down under

[Wanderer]

Need to fit in at least a weekend in Melbourne to see friends and also allow for a week in Cairns for diving. Rest is flexible.

Melbourne is lovely, especially if you have friends to show you around. Cairns has the Great Barrier Reef which is definitely one of the wonders of the natural world. If you are into diving then it's some of the best in the world. There are a number of islands you can visit and there is the Atherton Tableland inland if you want to see some tropical forest sort of stuff.

Would the drive from Cairns to Brisbane be a killer or is there plenty to see/do? Is the drive between MEL/SYD worth it or better to fly and spend more time enjoying the cities?

I wouldn't drive either of them, the distances are vast and the roads are single carriage ways. I've done Cairns to Townsville and the scenery is quite nice at first but becomes very monotonous. Roads are dead straight but the police are fascist so if you put on a bit of speed you will get nicked.

My pick would be to do the Cairns/Melbourne bit then skip the rest and fly over to New Zealand for 10 days, it's awesome and there is a lot more to see and do in a compact area.

[DiscoStu]

Sydney to Melbourne by road probably isn't worth it. You can pass through Canberra but there's not much else. Melbourne to Adelaide along the Great Ocean Road is much better. Only problem is being in Adelaide at the end of it

Adelaide's not that bad! Lots of nice wineries in the Barossa / McLaren Vale, miles of unspoilt beaches within easy reach...

[Martin at NixonWilliams]

This thread is making me want to quit my job and go again tomorrow!

[EternalOptimist]

Cheers all.

We only really have two weeks free time as the diving is a must do, so I doubt west coast is feasible tbh.

I guess the real question is, given Sydney and Melbourne are a few days each, which 7 days is the best road trip. Cairns to Brisbane is looking good so far.

that would be a doddle. You would have plenty of time to look around. Try the beach at Townsville, Magnetic island was worth a visit, plus a trip out to the barrier reef ,with a semi submersible.

The rest of the road down to Brisbane Is packed with national parks, incl whitsunday islands

[Flashman]

Cheers all.

We only really have two weeks free time as the diving is a must do, so I doubt west coast is feasible tbh.

I guess the real question is, given Sydney and Melbourne are a few days each, which 7 days is the best road trip. Cairns to Brisbane is looking good so far.

Cairns to Brisbane is a 1,000 mile road trip. you will be spending a lot of time in the car. I'd still go for it.

If you can do I would spend less time in the cities and more time on the road trip.

When I visited I could see why Australian cities score well on quality of life compared to British ones but they are quite bland places.

[Pondlife]

Cheers all.

We only really have two weeks free time as the diving is a must do, so I doubt west coast is feasible tbh.

I guess the real question is, given Sydney and Melbourne are a few days each, which 7 days is the best road trip. Cairns to Brisbane is looking good so far.

[EternalOptimist]

I have been to Oz 5 time now, four weeks a pop. All the trips have been 'road trips' and I wouldnt fly.

The trips can be gruelling, you need to be sure its right for you and you need to be looking at 500 miles per day , two days on one day off. For a 6,000 miler, this will give you 10 - 12 spare days, for 2 long holidays somewhere.
Obv. in three weeks you would have to scale this down. It is also possible to do longer days in order to max out your free days. (800 - 1000 miles)

The missus would need to be trained up to be a navigator, plus speed warnings and making sure you are in range for the next petrol stop.

If you are considering a serious road trip, get back to me, I have reams of advice and experience. and stories.

It's all about the story

[Martin at NixonWilliams]

I went for three and a half weeks for Christmas and NYE at the end of 2012.

I went to stay with a friend in Perth for a week or so then got a flight to Cairns. We made our way down the east coast and eventually made it to Sydney for NYE (which was amazing).

There is a lot to see, I quickly found that three weeks was not enough but I would highly recommend that you do snorkelling anywhere along the great barrier reef and a cruise of the whisunday islands from a place called Airlie beach, the cruise was probably the highlight for me.

If you are into your surfing go along the gold coast, it's great for all of that and a real party place. I didn't have time to go to Byron Bay but I'm told that is pretty good too.

This is not something you normally associate with Australia but there's a place called Dracula's about 30 mins drive from Brisbane (there's one in Melbourne too). It's a (pretty gross to be honest) cabaret show that's very authentic and hugely entertaining. They have a strict no cameras policy so it's hard to see much on the internet but it really is worth a see.

Enjoy, you won't be dissappointed!

Martin

[SarahL2012]

Bunk is right - West Coast fabulous. Not so many visitors & the landscapes are stunning.

Also right in that it will be cold at night.

[SarahL2012]

I flew direct to Cairns and the took one of the backpacker buses all the way down to Sydney ( this was 12 years ago & I was by far the oldest on the bus - was away for a year though, so couldn't afford car hire for that long)

I'd probably spend the time driving on the East Coast rather than Sydney to Melbourne. The Whitsundays are stunning (great snorkelling) and Fraser Island is great. Check out whether it is Humpback Whale season in Hervey Bay - still one of my best wildlife experiences. I wasn't so fussed by the Gold Coast or Brisbane, but Byron Bay was lovely. I meant to spend just 3 weeks on the east coast, but finally turned up in Sydney 3 months later. If you have the time to head to the rainforest as well as diving when in Cairns it's worth it. Think you'll miss stinger season as well which is v good.

Good coastal walks in Sydney, Bridge Climb, nice bars & good beaches. Worked there for a while so fond memories.

Melbourne had a completely different vibe. 40 degrees on the day I turned up, put my shorts on the next morning & walked outside to find it had plummeted to 20 degrees. Four seasons in 1 day has some truth! Less sightseeing than Sydney, but great place to meet up with friends.

Just slightly jealous.......

[Bunk]

Oh, and take warm clothes. Plenty of parts of Australia will be pretty cold in May. Don't be fooled into thinking it's roasting all year round.

[Bunk]

Don't neglect the west coast either. Ningaloo reef is amazing, a lot less busy that the Great Barrier Reef and you can walk out to it from the beach.

[Pondlife]

Cheers folks. Keep it coming.

Pondy, Do you have kids and are you taking them with you?

Nope. Just Mrs P and myself.

[Old Greg]

Heading down to Oz for 3 weeks in May but would like some planning help from those that have been.

Need to fit in at least a weekend in Melbourne to see friends and also allow for a week in Cairns for diving. Rest is flexible.

What's the best way to see the most? Fly to SYD and drive down to MEL taking a week, then fly to Cairns for a week, fly to Brisbane and drive to SYD over the week.

Or fly to MEL for a few days then fly to Cairns for a week, flight to Brisbane and then drive to MEL via SYD in about 9 - 10 days?

Would the drive from Cairns to Brisbane be a killer or is there plenty to see/do? Is the drive between MEL/SYD worth it or better to fly and spend more time enjoying the cities?

Any info appreciated. Ta.

Pondy, Do you have kids and are you taking them with you?

[Bunk]

Check out Bryon Bay. Quirky little 'alternative' seaside town. Great diving/beaches/whale watching

WHS

Friends from Brisbane still don't shut up about Byron Bay and they've been here for years