We are arriving in Melbourne from New Zealand mid March and have 15 days to spend in Australia
I’m struggling because this will likely be my only trip to Australia. It's very hard to decide what is the best use of our time. I'm sharing my draft agenda and welcome any input and thoughts. We tend to like spending time seeing the natural landscape, wow scenery, and wildlife that make a country unique. We aren't adventurous hikers, but we do like a 1-3 mile easyish walk with views and waterfalls. We also enjoy poking around cities, especially famous ones that are quaint and inviting with pretty settings and architecture. We also love a nice small town. We like learning how people live and their culture. Thank you!
Melbourne - 3 days/4 nights - Phillip Island Tour. A Day in town w a Walking Tour and leisure time. A day on the Great Ocean Road (having a hard time deciding the best way to enjoy this) - we live on the Maine coast and have done many ocean roads like California Pacific Hwy and Big Sur, Chapmans Peak Drive in So Africa, Road to Hana, Cinque Terre, Amalfi coast, and Florida Keys/Overseas Hwy. Any opinions or insight as to whether I should spend a long day doing this or if there is a better way to spend a day in or near Melbourne.
Hobart, Tasmania - 3.5 days/4nights - Tasman Peninsula Tour (Pennicotts Cruise, Port Arthur Tour). Derwent Valley, Mt Field National Park, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Freycinet National Park spurge (roundtrip flight and Cruise from Coles Bay). Salamanca Market on the last morning before flying out. Am I doing the best things in Tasmania with this plan? Anyone been to the Cascades Womens Factory in Hobart?
Sydney/Blue Mountains - 3 day/4 nights - 1st day: small group Sydney city tour (14 ppl) with transportation to various sections of the city in order to visit them in a ½ day tour, ending with a Harbor lunch cruise at Circular Quay, and leisure time in the city.
2nd and 3rd days: Blue Mountains overnight via Train from Sydney and using local buses and taxis in the park (this seems straightforward, but is it better to rent a car in Sydney?) - seeing Blackheath/Govetts Leap area and depending on time, we’ll go over to Leura Village and the Hanging Footbridge Walk. Scenic World when it opens, Prince Henry Cliff Walk (1.2miles) and depending on time, go over to Cahill’s lookout, then train back to Sydney. Did I pick the best of the Blue Mountains for my time?
Port Douglas - 2 days/3 nights - Weather is iffy in March, but we are going to give it a go. Tour day to the great barrier reef. Daintree Forest River Cruise and Cape Tribulation tour