Weddingbee

Wow, what an itinerary. (So jealous that you get to go… I’ve only been to Australia once and LOVED it). Even though you have a few days in Fiji to relax, the itinerary still feels pretty packed and i think you mind end up feeling really worn out.

I would definitely keep syndey and cairns. In Syndey, definitely go to Taronga Zoo and a performance at the Opera House - you can get tickets to performances for around $35 if you buy in advance. It rained every single day we were there but we will had so much fun. They also have great pizza.

In Cairns, you might want to consider staying at Port Douglas, which is an hour north of Cairns. You will be closer to the rainforest and have easier access to the Great Barrier Reef.

Melbourne, I hear is a great city to go to just to soak in the culture. Not too sure about Adelaide, Brisbane and Hobart, as I haven’t been to either of those places so I’m not too sure what they offer. Ayer’s Rock takes awhile to get to and can be pricey.

I have been to Sydney and I loved it! Try to visit the blue mountains. They are so pretty. The subway in the city is great and it will also take you up to the mountains. They have best food in the world. I am just drooling thinking about the Thai food. Bondi beach is nice too. Bring change for the lockers. If you like to shop you are in luck! The shopping there is wonderful! My best friend and I about had a heart attack when we saw the endless malls. The people are so friendly too. They love to help if you are lost. Great t place to visit!

wow! i’m so jealous you get to go to all these places. you’ll have a great honeymoon!

Are you guys more active travelers? Do you want your honeymoon to be packed to the gills with activities? Some people like that and if that’s you, then your itinerary would work.

I’m a total vacation relaxer, so that itinerary would freak me out a bit because it seems like you’d have to schedule a lot of stuff instead of letting things go with the flow. I’ve never been to Australia, so I’m not familiar with how things are spread out — is there any way you can be flexible with dates (in case you find out you want to spend less time somewhere or more time in another spot)?

I was just in Australia a couple of months ago. I would actually say go to Ayers Rock and skip Adelaide. I was there for a conference and it’s just not that exciting of a city.

OR… fly into Adelaide and from there take a very short flight (or long ferry ride) to Kangaroo Island. We went there and it was one of the coolest places I have ever been… animals galore. Stay at the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat. It’s an awesome place and much more exciting than Adelaide!

You have to do the Harbour Bridge Climb in Sydney. It’s expensive, but worth it… what a great memory!

That sounds amazing! I studied abroad in Melbourne for 6 months and travelled all over the country! I third the Port Douglas idea over Cairns as well. We loved it–definately do a day trip into the rainforest while there. Also, in Melbourne, you can tour the Old Melbourne Gaol-do it at night and then have a romantic dinner on Lygon Street which is close by (this is “little Italy”) and there are a million and one adorable outside restaraunts! Adelaide isnt that great. I would consider spending that time renting a car and traveling the Great Ocean Road. That is a must see. And, my last advice–at the Toronga Zoo in Syndey that someone else suggested, they have a special backstage tour of the Australian animals. They run this tour in the morning, i think, in a small group. My mom and I splurged on it and were absolutely thrilled with it! It made the trip to the zoo very worthwhile. Outside of Brisbane, visit Lone Pine Koala sanctuary–the only place in Australia where you can hold a kangaroo.

Hope thats not overwhelming! You’ll have an absolute blast! If you need any more suggestions, let me know!

Adelaides probably the quietest-but it does seem a shame to cut it out, I’d cut Adelaide out over Hobart- Tassie is a lot different to the rest of Aus..almsot Canada like I guess and theres some really cool things to do (like the Cadbury Chocolate Factory)

Adelaide is gorgeous- and you can paddle boat down the river and go to the Haighs Chocolate Factory, but it’s the one I’d really cut out!

From the Aussie

Hi there,

I am from Melbourne Australia and your itinerary so far looks pretty great…

Definitely do the Ayers Rock climb. It is fantastic and the aboriginals (natives in the australian outback) will be stopping the climb in a few years so it really is a once in a lifetime opp!

Just my advise having travelled around Australia (and it really is so big that it takes months to do that) but don’t skip Hobart as the tree-top walks and the sights, markets and countryside drives are incredible…

If you want to cut down some of the boring and less interesting parts of Australia, skip Adelaide and Canberra.

They are both by far the dullest cities in Australia. Melbourne is culture +, very sex in the city (on a smaller scale).. Sydney has the big drawcards (ie. opera house, harbour bridge etc) and as for Cairns & Brisbane (Queensland), you will never forget the Australian sun, the beaches and the incredible australian way of life…

You will have the trip of a life-time and as most of my OS friends say, once they come here they will always come again!!

If you get want any further questions answered, please feel free to email me on fabanddonna@optusnet.com.au and i will be happy to help….

Cheers,
Donna

Hi, I live in Sydney and have done almost my whole life. If you wanted to cut something out I’d choose Adelaide.. then Brisbane. Don’t cut out Alice Springs!

I would choose the Gold Coast over Brisbane (although if you have time you can go to both - only about an hour apart). The GC has heaps more things to do.. it is very touristy though! Very fun if you like that sort of thing - more nightlife, and activities, restaurants and shops open late, the beach.

Brisbane is beautiful but there really isn’t that much to do.

I’ve never been to Adelaide but heard it’s kinda boring.

If you are going to Cairns you have to go to the Great Barrier Reef

Have fun!

So glad to see that you’re coming to Oz for your honeymoon. I’m from Sydney but no matter where you go you’ll love it! Sydney has some really great beaches Bondi, Coogee, Cronulla, Manly and I’d recommend catching a train to the Blue mountains if you have the time. Otherwise a trip to Taronga zoo and a visit to Sydney Aquarium + a ferry ride is a must!

Melbourne has some great markets and you’ll love the shopping there. I usually go to Melbourne twice a year and you might want to consider staying at a serviced apartment rather than a hotel (so you can do a bit of cooking after buy fresh food from the markets).

There really isn’t too much to see in Canberra besides parliament house and questacon so I would allocate more days in Queensland to spend on the Goldcoast (surfers paradise) or further up north you’ll love it there!!