The Rest Of Australia
Sydney
Queensland
It's a vast country that has so much to offer. Mentioned are some highlights worth considering for tourists thinking of travelling a bit. Don't try to do too much because that's just silly....& it's worth leaving something for next time!
No trip is complete without seeing this beautiful city. Only an hour by plane from Melbourne. Driving takes forever as its 900km. Obviously go to see the bridge & opera house at circular quay but my tip is take a ferry out to Manly or to Watson's Bay where there is an excellent seafood restaurant called Doyle's. The Orbit bar in the city is great as you get a 360 degree view of the city & harbour.
A huge state with great attractions:
Brisbane - strangely named 'Bris-vegas' by aussies. A nice city with good weather. Southbank has a man-made beach. My brother Ben tells me that the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is worth a visit.
Gold Coast - high rise holiday resort south of Brisbane with theme parks galore. Tacky but lots to do & great beaches.
Sunshine Coast - more sedate coastal area north of Brisbane and Noosa is a beautiful town. The late Steve Irwin's Australia zoo is nearby.
Fraser Island - the world's largest sand island. Very cool place to visit for 2-3 day 4x4 safari.
Airlie Beach & The Whitsunday Islands - very popular town in tropical northern Queensland where you can go on a cruise around the stunning Whitsunday Islands & view the Great Barrier Reef. Don't miss Whitehaven Beach, one of the most idyllic beaches in the world.
Northern Territory
Ayers Rock - the 'red centre' is so worth a trip, if a little far from anywhere. Ayer's Rock or Uluru & it's larger neighbour Kjata Juta are awe-inspiring sites & amazing at sunset as well as sunrise. This is the true outback of Australia.
Western Australia
Tasmania
Darwin & Kakadu National Park - the far north of Australia. Spectacular region filled with great landscapes, billabongs & rivers. This is Crocodile Dundee country & is best in Australian winter as it is the dry season. Beware of the crocs here! Can be combined with Broome & the Kimberleys in Western which is next on my list to do
New Zealand
Perth - a very cool city on the Indian Ocean & far away from anything. Great weather & beaches.
Margaret River - I guess if you've done the Yarra Valley then you will have had enough of vineyards, but this area is worth a trip if you are in the area.
Contrary to mainland Australian's suggestions, people here do not have two heads. Tassie is one of my personal favourites, this is very close to Melbourne (40 mins flight or overnight ferry). Lots of great wilderness & coastal scenery. My tips are Hobart, Freycinet National Park & Cradle Mountain. Great for a road trip!
I know...it's not Australia, but it's so amazing that it's worth a mention. Only 3 hours flight from Melbourne. Since you will be in the area & it's so far from Europe you may never get a better opportunity to visit. My suggestions are endless but include:
North Island - Lake Taupo, Rotorua, Bay of Islands, Hawkes Bay & Wellington.
South Island - Marlborough, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Franz Josef Glacier, Queenstown, Fjordland National Park & Milford Sound
