Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns)??

[maddiepaddy]

I am planning a trip to Australia next July and could use some insight/ideas  

My H has a conference in Melbourne, so we'll be there for 1 week. I realize that might be overkill for time in Melbourne, but it is what it is. We'll have approx. another week to see more of the country. I'm thinking of dividing that time between Sydney and Cairns. 

I'm trying to use AA miles, and have realized I should probably be booking our flights in and out as soon as they're bookable, so this has kinda creeped up on me. I am thinking of flying into Melbourne and out of Cairns (or maybe Sydney depending on ticket availability). I figure I can decide on the flights within Australia later. 

I'm particularly interested in the GBR and rainforest in Cairns. I realize it probably never gets cold there, but will that suck in July? I doubt we'll get it together to be certified to dive in time, but does any one have experience snorkeling there? Or on the glass bottom boats?

I'd love to hear about Melbourne and Sydney highlights/ideas. Also, is there anywhere else that we should consider going? I don't know if we'll ever make it back there, so I don't want to have major regrets. But also, I want to be realistic about the time we have there and not try to squeeze too much in. 

Any input you guys have would be hugely appreciated!!

[meowmaps]

I wasn't a big fan of Melbourne but to be fair, I was only there for one day. It was our starting off point for a three-day drive along the Great Ocean Road. Even if you can only do a small section of it from Melbourne, I'd say it's worth it. It was the absolute highlight of our trip. We saw lots of kangaroos and koalas and other wildlife as well as great coastal views.

In Sydney I loved the Opera House and Manly Beach.

We stayed in Port Douglas which is a smaller town/community nearish to the GBR. We didn't dive but we took a glass bottom boat ride. It was fun. We also did a tour in/around the Daintree Rainforest. We didn't see too much wildlife except for some really big spiders and bugs on a short hike but we did see crocs while on a boat ride.

We were there in May and the weather was all over the place. It was light-jacket weather in Melbourne and Sydney and shorts and t-shirt weather in Port Douglas. There was also a considerable amount of rain during our Great Ocean Road drive.

ETA: You didn't mention the Outback but if you have an interest it might be something to add to your list.  It wasn't my favorite part of our trip but it was a really unique experience. 

[dorothyinAus]

I live southeast of Melboune, so my views may be more local than tourist.

I think it's a great city and there is plenty to do, though admittedly, I haven't seen most of the tourist things.

I would consider a trip to Phillip Island to tour the Nobbies and see the Penguin Parade (evening activity) -- but if you aren;t willing to drive the 2 ½ hours you may want to book this through a travel agent or with a tour company -- it's an easy drive, mostly divided interstate the whole way, though there is a toll road for some of it.

I'd consider a tour of the Victorian State Parliament -- it's well worth seeing and answers all kinds of questions about the Westminster system for someone used to the US Congressional system.

The Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne is worth a visit, as is the National Gallery of Victoria (free admission to all but the touring exhibitions). The Melbourne Zoo is nice, and if you are willing to drive or find a tour company, Healesville Animal Sanctuary is well worth a visit.

I will warn you, Melbourne can get very COLD in July. This year was the coldest since 1970 and it got below freezing for 3 nights straight. I realize that's not really cold for someone from the Northern part of the US, but it is very cold for this part of Australia. Also, July is the rainy season so it's quite often a damp nasty kind of cold. I'd pack layers -- but as a bonus, coats don't count as part of your carry-on allowance.

July is usually the time for the Light in Winter festival in Melbourne, so interesting things are happening at Federation Square in the evenings.

And definitely plan to find a cafe and enjoy Melbourne's coffee culture. They had it perfected long before Starbucks.

There is plenty more to see and do, but I tend to see it more as semi-local than a tourist. But I would definitely have friends/family visiting do the things I mentioned.

For flights within Australia, my advice would be to stick with Qantas, Virgin, or Jet-Star (Qantas' no-frills airline) and skip Tiger completely. The fares look incredible but service is horrendous and more often than not flights are cancelled.

[wise_rita]

Melbourne will be legit cold in July. Cairns will be fine.

Can you fly open jaw? Into Melbourne, out of Cairns? The extra cost will be made up for in not retracing your steps.

If your H is working I'd recommend flying separate and you meeting him there a few days into his trip. That's just me, though, I wouldn't want to waste vacation days hanging around. Plus my SO and I fly separately more often than not it seems.

If you can find a few day trip from Cairns you'll see MUCH better reef than a day trip. The Daintree rainforest is cool, and I hear the Atherton Tablelands are great but I've never been there. And remember Port Douglas is right there and less skeezy/backpackery than Cairns.

I think 2 days/nights in Sydney is plenty if you have a week. But I am a much, much bigger fan of nature than cities.