Request input to Australia Itinerary

Your itinerary looks very rushed and not very realistic. I’ll try to explain why.
When you make an itinerary, you should also include the time it takes to travel from A to B, because Australia is huge! It works best to set up your itinerary per day and include travel time to your next destination.

Take for instance your 2 nights in Uluru. This may seem like 3 days there, but in reality it’s only 1 day there. Given the distances and flight schedules it means you will arrive from Sydney at Uluru airport sometime on day 1, most likely well into the afternoon. You will then only have day 2 as a full day there, because on day 3 you will have to fly out again to Brisbane.
As well as actual flight time, you also need to calculate time to get to the airport, time to check in etc etc. The flight time from Sydney to Uluru is 3.5 hours, but if you add the time to get to and from the airport it’s more like 6 to 7 hours.

Definitely go to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane. This was one of our best days in Australia!

Consider sailing-whitsundays.com for a 2 day/2 night trip which takes you all over the Whitsundays. This was another highlight of our time in Australia.

I would agree with the first comment. We, along with two other couples who are good friends, spent a month in Australia and New Zealand this past Feb.-March. Weatherwise, it was good for our visit. Not too hot or cold with occasional rain. We worked with Kensington to tailor their pre-planned tours so as to have a private tour for the six of us. We are all mid-60s to mid-70s but quite active. I would suggest you look at some tour packages just to get an ideas of realistic itineraries and then revise your plan. By the way, we were very pleased with Kensington and had a wonderful trip. We had drivers for short transfers and to and from airport, etc. Our days were long with great active adventures. We included three days in Tasmania and highly recommend that you look at that possibility. Please consider the issue of flight times. Distances are very long in Australia and we had a few flight delays. Most days of travel were consumed with arriving at the airport, checking in and clearing security, etc. We spent a day on a catamaran and snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef in late February and it is not to be missed. Fairly hot when we were there and the crew was very helpful with selecting the provided "stinger" suits to wear and snorkel equipment which was provided on the boat. Kensington booked our hotels and we requested less expensive hotels where it was available. of course, some locations have a wider variety of choices than others. As far as camping, be aware that there are many insects, etc that might cause discomfort. When we hiked at Kata Tjuta, the flies were swarming and we should have used nets for our heads. I strongly recommend looking at Kensington and talking with them about a private tour. We chose to book our own flights from the US as well as internal since we were able to book much more affordably than their travel group . We are very active travelers and often plan our own itineraries for long international trips but we would not have attempted that in Australia and New Zealand. A trip of a lifetime and wished we had stayed longer than one month!

What will be the best time from May 26 - June8/June 9 t0 visit Great Barrier reef?

What should be the order of the places to visit in the itinerary as need to fit in great barrier reef too? Should I keep it in the middle of trip or the end of trip - when is better weather or time to visit it during my dates?

I have non stop flights to Melbourne and Sydney from USA. Should I fly in and out of same city either Sydney or Melbourne or should I fly in too either Sydney or Melbourne and fly out of other one?

“ What will be the best time from May 26 - June8/June 9 t0 visit Great Barrier reef?”

The weather conditions won’t change much in just 2 weeks. So the best time to visit is the time you can fit it in your very busy itinerary.

It was before Covid and in late July (so, winter for my trip, in Australia) but I did travel solo, easily made all my own arrangements and saw most of the places on your list. But I had 3 weeks. I didn't go to the Gold Coast
I flew into Melbourne to begin, then flew to Cairns, then to Uluru and then to Sydney- then back to the US.
It's not clear the age of your third family member. There was a night tour of the Daintree Rain Forest that was fantastic. Hartley's Crocodiles in Cairns, which I thought would be a "tourist trap" was in fact a highlight.
Some of your city sights could be easily combined. One Sydney day I took a bus to Bondi in the morning and did the harbor and zoo in the afternoon.
Uluru had a lot of personal significance so I spent the largest part of my budget at a private lodge there that also included private tours. I didn't go to Alice Springs but saw the start of the road there- it's a desert and I would advise carefully researching the camping concept unless it's something you really enjoy.
If you do fly into Melbourne I found a tip that kangaroos hang out across from the airport. They did! Do they still? Anyway, I stored my bag and took a brief taxi ( the driver thought I was crazy!) but it was a great way to begin.
Again, with everything in English I found making arrangements online or once there not a problem.

Thanks Bon Voyage

I am not interested in camping. I need to come back to hotel room at night and have own rest room and bathroom.

Its 2 adults and 15 year old child.

Thanks Dutch Traveler

The reason I am asking about best time to visit GBR last week of vs early June because I was reading weather gets better as one moves into June. I was hoping someone who has actually visited can tell me more.

Looking at the map - USA to Melbourne (southernmost and keep going north) ---> Sydney ---> Brisbane then either Uluru/Alice springs ---> Cairns or Cairns ---> Alice springs/Uluru and fly out of Sydney (why go further south to Melbourne to fly back)

or

USA to Melbourne (southernmost and keep going north) ---> then either Uluru/Alice springs ---> Cairns or Cairns ---> Alice springs/Uluru ----> Brisbane -----> fly out of Sydney so end there (why go further south to Melbourne to fly back)

I will skip Brisbane but if I had more time I would visit it.

Are you still considering Alice Springs? You have Uluru/Alice Springs on the list. But it's almost 400 miles so you'd need a flight. I suggest researching Alice Springs further. In the end I decided to not go, although if I had more time in the north I would have. But travel is personal!
I agree with not backtracking and that's why I started in Melbourne and made the loop northward. I had a flight that departed Uluru in the morning and went via Sydney later in the day to San Francisco.
What an incredible family vacation! Looking for wildlife spotting tour options is highly recommended and that the options around Cairns were memorable.

If given a choice, May 26 - June 9 v/s July 8-22.... which is better time for above trip as visiting different places

I am reaching Brisbane on Friday May 24 at 6: 30 AM
and Departing from Australia - I can depart either Friday June 7 evening or Saturday June 8 morning

I am breaking itinerary into individual cities

Melbourne - 3 days

Day 1 - Fly into Melbourne
Will lose at least half a day
Can do MCG tour (not sure yet). Didn't see any thing exciting or must see

Day 2- Phillip Island
Book a tour or can I do on my own
I want to see Penguin Parade, seals colony etc
? Koalas at Koala Conservation Center or will I see Koalas at some other place
?Eco boat tour - worth it

Day 3 - Great Ocean Road
Book a day tour

Any recommendations for tours, airport transfer, hotels in Melbourne?

For me to do longer GOR tours, I need to rent a car.

Coming from USA, I don't know how comfortable I would be driving on the other side of the road.

I have kept a day for Phillip Island (need 1/2 day as penguin parade tour starts later - unless adding something to that tour in morning - like wildlife sanctuary) but thanks for letting me know to prepare well for Penguin Parade as weather gets cold and need to layer up. How cold does it get in early June or does it get cold and windy at PI?

The other tour I saw is
Puffing Billy & Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour 8 hour long. I don't know if it's worth it.

I have 2 1/2 days - 1 day GOR and 1/2 day PI - need to figure out what will be a must see for other 1 days or 2 half days.

Spouse not interested in visiting MCG.
Not inserted in architecture, museums, arts

Healesville Sanctuary is a wonderful native fauna zoo. A good opportunity to get close to most of our wonderful creatures. Healesville is a beautiful town surrounded by 1000 plus metre high mountains and extensive forests of tree ferns and towering mountain ash. A bit biased as I grew up nearby and have spent a huge amount of time in the area.
Puffing Billy is a narrow gauge steam train running through similar beautiful forests in the Dandenong Ranges, a good bit of fun.
A Healesville Sanctuary and Phillip Island tour is a long day but might be worth some thought. I actually took an American friend to both in one day many years ago.
As to Phillip Island weather. Late May is basically winter. Rain is common at that time of year. Daytime temps usually cool, 12 to 16 deg C would be typical but temps will drop once the sun goes down. Sunset will be around 5.30. The penguins come in from the ocean once the sun goes down. You will be sitting right near the ocean as you watch them come in so expect some windchill.

The Great Ocean Road would be a challenging drive for someone not used to driving on that side of the road so that is a good call. I am not sure where a tour bus will stop but it is a great area.

Setting aside the many itinerary concerns mentioned by others, have you also considered the number of time zones you'll be traveling from home to Melbourne? Many people need 1 day per hour of time zone change to feel at least somewhat normal. If you're landing in Melbourne after a 16 hour flight from LAX, for example, I don't understand how you would be rested enough to immediately start with 2 crazy hectic days in Melbourne. Even if you're sleeping in business class, you're still going to be tired. Really tired.

People have mentioned how much time it takes to change cities/locations. Each time you change cities, you're going to need a big chunk of a day to do it. You only have 14 days. Do you really want to spend 4 or 5 of them just in transit? Honestly, after living there for 3 years and seeing most of your itinerary, I'd say pick 2, maybe 3, do a few day trips and go back again someday. Combining significant jet lag, in-country travel times, and the number of things you want to do/see, I think with these plans, you'll be spending a lot of money to mostly see the inside of hotel rooms and airplanes with just enough time left to wave at the kangaroos, snap a photo of Uluru, and dip your toes in the ocean.

Thank You for replies

3 day Melbourne itinerary

Day 1 - Half day to fly out and reach Brisbane. Remaining half undecided.
If I could do Puffing Billy and/or Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour on my own (I think tours would have left) then I would.
Other wise wander around the city.
Family not interested in MCG.

Day 2- Penguin Parade and Koalas Tour
Starts around 11:45 AM for 8.5 hours
Will book with Penguins Plus viewing upgrade at the parade instead of General viewing. Thanks for the great tip.

Day 3 - Great Ocean Road Day Tour
I think it's like Highway 1 drive in California
Also since I am coming in winter, weather will be cold and windy and even beach water will not be warm. So better to do day trip. Summer would be better time to do GOR longer tour.

Next day fly out of Melbourne

Next Brisbane Itinerary

Day 1 - I reach Brisbane on Friday May 24 at 6:30 AM.
I will meet my friend and his family who live in Brisbane.
Try to get over jet lag.
Not interested in museums, winery.
Watch Sunset from Mount Coo Tha
Evening scenic river cruise
Miramar Cruise for a scenic journey along the river to Lone Pie Koala Sanctuary (should I add Koala to Melbourne with Philip Island Penguins) or should I see them in Brisbane?
Its appears there is Botanic Garden in Brisbane (like in Melbourne) - not excited about it
Brisbane Beach (artificial beach) ? worth it

Day 2
Visit Gold Coast but not interested in surfing. What to do in Gold Coast in June weather? I enjoy Florida beaches (warm) and not California beaches (cooler water).
Moreton island but doubt can do snorkeling in June. ?Can feed dolphins or do whale watching in June.
I saw glow worm caves hop on and hop off tour with visit to Tamborine Mountain (But wouldn't it be too cold for Tamborine mountain in June). I am seeing glow worm caves in New Zealand. The tour is 4 hours. Cave is supposed rot be only 10 m and reviewers say minimal cave experience.

Trying to decide what to do/see with 2 days in Brisbane.

Do I need day 3 in Brisbane?

Thanks

Thanks for the reply.

Lone Pine V/S Healesville
It appears one can hold Koala in Lone Pine Sanctuary which interests us. However have to choose one as don't want to do same/similar things in Brisbane and Melbourne. So I can do a river cruise and Lone Pine as a one tour? Will find out about one side cruise and other side Uber or other options

Since I am doing above, will not do Australia zoo.

Family not interested in Botanical gardens.

Will visit mount Coo Tha for sunset.

So far itinerary

Reach Brisbane Friday May 24 at 6:30 AM
Meet my friend and his family

Brisbane itinerary 2 days/2 nights

Looks like nothing much for us at Brisbane so 2 days should be fine

Day 1
Take in city views from Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park, then hop on a Miramar Cruise for a scenic journey along the river to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary,

Mount Coo Tha to watch sunset

Stroll along Brisbane River

Brisbane River Scenic cruise but already doing Miramar cruise

Day 2
Visit Gold Coast - No surfing, so just see there beach or may be add Moreton island

3 day Melbourne itinerary
Day 4 - Half day to fly out and reach Brisbane. Remaining half undecided.
If I could do Puffing Billy and/or Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour on my own (I think tours would have left) then I would.
Other wise wander around the city.
Family not interested in MCG.

Day 5- Penguin Parade and Koalas Tour
Starts around 11:45 AM for 8.5 hours
Will book with Penguins Plus viewing upgrade at the parade instead of General viewing. Thanks for the great tip.

Day 6 - Great Ocean Road Day Tour
I think it's like Highway 1 drive in California
Also since I am coming in winter, weather will be cold and windy and even beach water will not be warm. So better to do day trip. Summer would be better time to do GOR longer tour.
Next day fly out of Melbourne

Next Sydney - 3 days

Day 6 Reach Sydney
Explore The Rocks district - download the walking app The Rocks app
Sydney Harbor Climb
Sydney Opera House - want to attend opera or orchestra and tickets are not expensive.
Sydney Dinner Cruise YES
Sydney Museum - Not interested
Botanic Gardens - Not interested
So we can do in one day - Head to Circular Quay, and from there, get a fantastic view of Sydney Harbour Bridge before strolling to the Sydney Opera House and soaking up some history at The Rocks. If you have time, take the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly beach and round off a fairly easy day with fish and chips. Then head to bed for some much-needed sleep.

Day 7
Sydney Tower/Skywalk Not interested. We have done in Toronto, New York.
Sydney Aquarium, Taronga Zoo - Not interested
Bondi Beach Yes
May be Manly Island but seeing Penguin Parade already in Melbourne

Day 8
Blue Mountains and then depart Sydney next morning
Jump on the train from Sydney, and within two hours, you’ll be in Katoomba, where you can walk to the edge of a dramatic gorge that plummets some 400 meters down into the Jamison Valley below.
Admire the unusual natural beauty of the Three Sisters rocks, then take the Scenic Railway (the steepest train in the world) down to the valley below, or take the Scenic Skyway across the valley to Katoomba Falls.

Does one need to do separate river cruise/ dinner cruise in Brisbane if doing Miramar cruise for Lone Pine?

Any comments or input into Sydney itinerary?

That will bring my Australia visit to 8 days and 8 nights so far.

Thanks
I have Day 1-2 Brisbane
Day 3-5 Melbourne
Day 6 - Day 8 Sydney itinerary

Next 3 days Cairns

Day 9
Fly and reach Cairns - Half day spent in traveling.
Is it better to stay in hotel in city - check into a hotel in the city, which on such a tight schedule will make getting to the major attractions quicker and easier than staying on the out-of-town northern beaches.
What to do remaining half day?
the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Cairns Night Market
Stroll along the Esplanade
I think Kurunada itself is a whole day thing?
Kuranda aboard the steam train along the Kuranda Scenic Railway, past waterfalls and gorges. In Kuranda, explore the markets and the nature parks and maybe take a Kuranda Riverboat Tour, which runs about 45 minutes. Return on the Skyrail cableway, which carries you over the rainforest (you can get to ground level at a couple of stations on the way) to the edge of Cairns. The views are sensational.

Day 10
Day trip to the Great Barrier Reef - it's' suggested to visit Outer Great Barrier Reef to Pontoons.
?Glass bottom boats
I am not a swimmer (no diving) but would love to snorkel - any suggestions for day tour? I have done snorkeling once in Honolulu beach. They take even non swimmers.
Book Great Barrier Reef excursion
or
Catamarn sailing trip to GBR
or
Alternatively day trip to Green Island, where you can snorkel the reef straight from the beach and learn about the work of the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.
Alternatively, book an eco-adventure day trip to Green Island, a private island resort in the Great Barrier Reef. The island also has a lush rainforest with over 120 native plant species and a rich bird life.
At just 45 minutes from Cairns, Green Island gives you the unique chance to do a combined reef and rainforest tour.. You can explore the island’s lush rainforest on foot, see the reef from the glass bottom boat, or snorkel off the beach.

It's once in lifetime visit. So any suggestions?

Day 11
Daintree
or
Daintree and cape Tribulation
Is Kurunda similar to Daintree?
I saw one can do it on own without car - shuttle bus to Skyrail Smithfield Terminal (part of package) and return by train - on your own from train station to hotel.
I saw cable way - diamond upgrade - is it scary with glass bottom for 1 1/2 hours? and worth it?
Train - Gold upgrade - worth it?
All these upgrades add up - Diamond $28 and Gold $49 and Bus Transfer $12 per person x 3

Thanks

How's the water to do snorkeling in GBR in late May/early June? Cool, cold, warm?

Thanks for the reply

I was planning 3days/3 nights from Cairns to Uluru. and Alice Springs but then read about high crime rate in AS and can not go out in night in AS so dropped the idea of visiting AS.

Ticket from Cairns to Uluru is USD 500 one way and decent hotel USD 400-700 per night. I heard even food and tours are expensive. is it worth visiting it?

Uluru looks like Sedona (red rocks due to iron) and King Canyon is similar to Grand Canyon in USA. Recently been there last year.

Would appreciate input.

Impossible for someone else to decide what is worthwhile to you. I doubt you would feel Uluru was a worthwhile place to visit based on your posts and responses but who knows.

The only cheaper way to see Uluru would be fly from Sydney to Uluru and then fly from Uluru to Melbourne

or

From Melbourne to Uluru and from Uluru to Sydney.

Still hotel is expensive. I can visit Uluru for 1 night when traveling from Sydney to Melbourne.

Not visiting Alice spring.

Instead of leaving Brisbane on May 26 early morning for Carins, I am thinking of leaving Brisbane on May 25 night at 08:10 PM and reach Cairns at 10:35 PM. This flight is expensive compared to other flights USD 135 v/s USD 85.

Is is safe to reach late at 10:35 PM at Carins and go to hotel with family?

I am planning to book Doubletree (good choice/location?) with points and use my Hilton Diamond status I am planning to stay in Hilton in Brisbane too - good choice/location?). How to reach hotel late at night - taxi, uber or airport shuttle?

I can use next whole day to take Kuranda Skyrail and Scenic train with shuttle transfer to travel to Kaunda on my own. If reach Cairns at 8:30 AM despite taking the earliest flight at 6 AM from BNE, I will miss the Skyrail and/or train in the morning.

Appreciate input.

Carins - day 1 - Kuranda Skyrail and scenic train
Cairns - Day 2- GBR tour
Cairns - Day 3- Daintree and Cape Tribulation tour

If I add another night in Cairns, can I go to Port Douglas on my own (without rental car) and what to do there for one day?
Will beach water in Port Douglas be nice and warm (not hot) as it will be end of May or will one need wet suit?

You might want to see the Outback.

There are full-day and overnight trains from Sydney to Broken Hills, where you can go on tours that stay at the White Cliffs Underground Motel.

The train from Sydney to Broken Hill (not Hills) runs 1 x week departing Monday 6am and arriving 7.25 pm. A return train runs on Tuesday (I think) departing BH at 8am?
There is the option of more regular train/bus services between Sydney, Dubbo and Broken Hill.

The very expensive Indian Pacific leaves Sydney in the afternoon (not sure what day/s) and arrives about 15 to 16 hours later in the morning at Broken Hill. I think it stops in the Blue Mountains on the way. I am not sure whether it is possible to purchase just a Sydney to Broken Hill fare on the Indian Pacific.