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?

Re-reading your original post it’s not clear to me. Are you trying to replicate the guided tour itinerary on your own? If so, as others have said, you should lay out the itinerary possibilities including travel time. You can research the plane connections. Add in time to airport and wait times before boarding. I don’t think you have more than about one full day most places you’ve listed.

I have done most of your stops - not Uluru/ Alice Springs - with more nights at each place than you propose allowing for day trips out of the cities. This took me 3 different journeys to Oz.

GBR trips can be disrupted by bad weather. I have been on 2 trips with 2 different companies. One start was delayed by high waves. I “hedged” by booking both out of Port Douglas and out of Cairns in case one was canceled. I got to go on both trips so having different companies and locations was a plus.

If your stops are all must-sees, I would consider a tour- and I am not a tour person. Tours have the advantage of moving people efficiently, sometimes more easily than can be done with public transport. Of course, you may be up and traveling at all hours….

Australia distances are much greater than Europe. More like traversing the US.

“ 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.

I was at the GBR in early April - right at the end of typhoon and rainy season . No problems on land, but as I said above, one GBR departure delayed by a couple hours. Bring meds fir seasickness- many on my boats were sick. They all insisted they were great sailors….

I don’t think there will be much difference fir the dates you are contemplating. Just a possibility of a particular day being preferable, but you can’t predict that. The GBR tours, depending on your provider, do sell out. I booked both trips in advance.

As noted above, Cairns area has much more than GBR that is unique. Daintree, Hartley’s (I also thought tourist trap but found it a highlight!!!), Kuranda. Good botanic Garden and aquarium of local water life.

It’s your trip, but your itinerary is really a whirlwind with barely time for highlights. (In my, opinion, of course.) I traveled solo using public transport which can be done with shuttles and day tours, but must be planned and booked in advance. will you rent a car for areas like Cairns and Great Ocean Road?

Try to include Heallesville Ssnctuary out of Melbourne. It was the best of all the zoos and animal places I visited . Sydney Zoo is good and Brisbane’s Line Pine quite fine, but Heallesville had them all beat. Melbourne Zoo was “lite” on Aussie animals. Don’t miss the Penguin Parade. Many day trip providers out off Melbourne. -

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

Check school holiday dates. I don’t know Australia’s school calendars, but I always try to avoid school holidays. You can Google the info.

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.

I can weigh in on Puffing Billy and Healesville. In short, I basically agree with Tintaldra.

Healesville - This is my favorite animal stop of many that I have done in Australia (late 2018 and 2019). For comparison, I also visited Sydney Zoo, Melbourne Zoo, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Australia Zoo, Melbourne's Moonlit Sanctuary, Wild Life Sydney, and one other - blanking! (Not all of these were in one trip - I was in Oz multiple times.) I wasn't on a tour, so was able to spend most of a full day at Healesville. I thought the number of different animals and the quality of the animal presentations/lectures was exceptional. Even if your time is a bit limited, I would say this sanctuary is well worth a your time.

Puffing Billy - again, I wasn't on a tour, but did on my own. I enjoyed the train ride through the area. Prior to climbing on the train, I had hiked/walked (not rigorous) on my own in the area. I probably preferred the self-exploration, but that wouldn't be possible with a tour. If you want to see some of the landscape surrounding Melbourne, this is a fun way to do so.

The Penguin Parade is definitely worth-while no matter how you decide to get there. Unique. My tour gave options for seating - outdoors, premium outdoors (don't remember what it was called!), covered area. I did the premium seating. If/when I return, I would choose indoor. You can see from a comfortable bunker-like viewing situation and you are free to go outside if you wish. No concerns for rain or cold!

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

Are you are considering Lone Pine in Brisbane compared with Moonlit Sanctuary on Phillip Island? I have been to both. Lone Pine is more extensive with more animals. I was there for probably 3 hours. Arrived and departed via Miramar. One way would have been sufficient on the boat. If I ever do this again, I will call an Uber from Lone Pine. (after verifying that this is still a good transport choice, of course. I never know what could have changed post-Covid.) There is (or was) commentary on the cruise out, but not on the return to central Brisbane. Cruise was pleasant. Moonlit was an hour stop at most on the tour I was on to Phillip Island penguins. The amount of time was sufficient.

There are multiple gardens in Brisbane. Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt. Coot-tha is outside of central Brisbane. I Ubered there and back. Roma Street Parkland and City Botanic Gardens are more central. Across the river, there is the Southbank Parklands with a Rainforest Walk and other pleasant areas to stroll. I enjoyed all of them. They different amounts of time, Botanic Gardens is the largest. Quite extensive, I liked the areas with rainforest best. Overall, I think I preferred Melbourne's Botanic Garden. It isn't as varied, but was a bit easier to access.

Australia Zoo is outside Brisbane I spent a day there, taking a shuttle service for transport. Not my favorite zoo, Irwin family enterprise. It was large and over priced in my mind. Just mentioning this if you are considering a longer time in Brisbane.

If you are interested in Australian animals, there are many in addition to koalas. That is why I enjoyed Healesville so much. They specialize in many different species native to Australia. (I understand it may not work with your itinerary.) Lone Pine also has more than koalas although not quite as many as Healesville. You can walk through the wallaby area, see sheep dog demos, other Aussie animals as well.

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.

This is the cruise I took to Lone Pine. It leaves from central Brisbane. Note that it says one way available. https://mirimarcruises.com.au/daily-cruises/

I haven’t checked current laws or situations. Some states allow holding koalas by tourists, in others the practice is illegal.

When I was in Brisbane in 2019, it was legal to hold a koala and the opportunity was available at Lone Pine for an extra charge. They took pictures as a souvenir. I didn’t do this as I had been able to pet a koala in Sydney which was sufficient for me. One of the people returning on my Miramar boat had been holding the animal when it decided it was “bathroom time”. She said she smelled like eucalyptus and had a stain on her shirt as a reminder of the experience. I have no idea how common that scenario is!

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.

I don't know if your family enjoys hiking/walking or not. If they do, in Sydney, the Coogee to Bondi Beach Walk, either direction, is very scenic and not challenging. I began at Coogee and ended at Bondi. I swam at Icebergs and had lunch there at the restaurant. Check current regulations, but a few years back, visitors could pay a daily fee to swim. Changing facilities, showers, etc were available.

There are a lot of websites depicting different travelers experiences. Here's one: https://www.torntackies.com/coogee-to-bondi-walk/

Starting at Coogee, I used public transport to get to the start place. Took a public bus back to central Sydney from Bondi. Taxis are probably also an option. This was probably a long half day outing for me including public transport, the swim, change of clothes and hair drying, and lunch.

The Blue Mountains notes above reflect my experience. You can easily spend a full day if you hike, or take the hop-on-hop-off bus, or scenic railway. I took a train from Sydney for the day. Used Uber for transport to trailhead/scenic railway area and after my hikes through the gorge. I considered going back a second day to try the hop on hop off stops, but in the end did not. Lots of options. There was a major fire several months after I visited and I have not looked at current websites, but there should be no dearth of info available! There were some day trips on buses from Sydney, but the train worked for me. It was an early start as I remember......

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?

You are helping me relive my trips to Australia - some of the best I've taken!

I went out to the GBR with two different companies - one from Port Douglas (perhaps still recovering from recent storms???) and one from Cairns. Both were very professional. I would go with whichever tour has the best reviews and meets your personal interests and needs. Remembering the research I did, I doubt that there is a "bad" company out there - they all have to have certain safety procedures and reputations. There might be some trips that go to areas that are more unusual. Tripadvisor/Viator reviews might be helpful. I'm sure you've already examined them.

I booked two different tours to help ensure against bad weather. My first tour out of Port Douglas was delayed several hours due to weather, but both tours did go. The non-swimmers were encouraged to hold a life ring and be towed along for a bit. If you can watch some Youtube videos and learn the basics, even without equipment, I would recommend that. I am a strong swimmer, certified scuba diver, and practiced snorkeler. Most people on both tours were not as familiar with snorkeling or open ocean swimming. Most tours seemed to expect that.

Daintree vs Kuranda - Daintree is more natural and Kuranda has lots of tourist infrastructure. I enjoyed both for different reasons. Daintree, did a day trip out of Port Douglas. Small group with a naturalist, we toured, hiked, had the opportunity for fresh water swim, and had a Draintree River Cruise. Loved the experiences. Kuranda I did on my own - the Village is a bit "touristy", but I enjoyed the rainforest walk I took and the skyrail. I came back on the train for a different view. I spent a full day at Kuranda, indulging in some of the "tourist attractions" like the Butterfly Sanctuary which are probably not necessary although I don't regret visiting any. If you go to Kuranda, I would recommend trying some of the hiking trails that are free of charge, especially if you haven't had another chance to walk in a rainforest area. If you have to choose between Daintree and Kuranda, it is again probably personal preference or ease of booking.

The Cairns night market doesn't need to take a lot of time. I have been to many Asian night markets - this is a take-off on those. If your first time to this sort of place, a couple hours should be more than enough. Esplanade walk could be skipped - or you may take it to get to your GBR tour.

I enjoyed the Cairns Botanic Garden (took an Uber from my hotel) and the aquarium that specialized in local water species. Neither stop is a must - see, but I would visit both again, given the opportunity.

Adding - I don't think I did the Diamond upgrade on the cable car. I had been on many cable cars in Asia and know that I prefer non-glass bottoms!

I did do the upgrade on the train return. I enjoyed that and thought it was worth the cost. Better seats, beverage, and snack so I could relax. I was traveling solo so no considerations of the costs for a family. There is a stop to view the waterfalls. I remember crowds climbing back into the train for general seating and was glad I had my seat already claimed. I don't think I would have found it worthwhile if paying for multiple tickets.

I did a shuttle both to and from my hotel. I remember that there was a train option also which would have been almost as convenient. This saved me from renting a car which I found helpful. Whether it is a "good deal" for a family of three - I'm not sure.

The GBR companies supply wet suits. Water temp in mid-May when I visited were quite comfortable.

Forgot to mention - seas can be quite rough going out to GBR. I had motion suckness medicine recommended by my US MD. Bonine, over the counter. Worked well for me. I was fine, many on my boat were vomiting, despite claims of being good, experienced sailors.

One boat offered meds for sale, but if one is taking it while on the boat, it may be too late. Medications available at pharmacies in Australia are different from those sold in US. I was more comfortable bringing OTC options that I knew from home.

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?

First, if you aren't already posting there, I'm going to suggest asking some of your detailed questions on Tripadvisor. There were posters when I was planning a trip several years back that were more current than I would be at this point. As I've said, my last trip to Oz was 2019 and Covid could have changed things.

Questions re Cairns airport. It is small. I had no trouble with taxi access. I would consider it safe to move around between airport and hotel at 10:35 PM, but you could check that with locals on TA. Similarly, I left Brisbane about 10 PM to catch a late night flight, I'd kept the hotel room for an additional night and called an Uber or taxi from the hotel. Felt perfectly safe.

Both the hotels you mention are close to where I stayed. I found the area to be excellent both in Brisbane and Cairns. I was chasing Accor points and using status, so was at a Pullman and a Novotel. I don't know the Hilton properties, but I generally find that TA reviews for hotels give me a good picture of the current conditions and ambience although I do feel I have to "read between the lines" frequently. Knowing Hiltons like you do, you can probably assess the reviews pretty well - and you may get upgrades. (I've recently switched my loyalties from Accor to Hilton with Diamond and have been receiving upgrades at all the properties I've been staying in this past year, but I've been mostly traveling in Asia, not Australia.)

If you can get to a full day for Kuranda, I think you will prefer that to arriving Cairns in the AM, which also assumes all goes as scheduled with the flights. If this is a once in a lifetime sort of thing, I, personally, would find that sufficient justification for a more expensive flight! I rationalize such decisions by thinking that I will eat several less expensive meals than I might otherwise for a couple days. (Whether I do or not might be another matter...)

With your timeframe, I would not try to get to Port Douglas. I had over a week in the area and based myself first at Port Douglas taking a Daintree day trip, Hartley's Crocodiles, and one of the GBR trips from there. There are shuttles from the Cairns airport to Port Douglas - or were in 2019 - I used that. Central Port Douglas itself is perhaps a bit more charming than Cairns, but not a must see. The beach is attractive. I didn't swim - too many potential hazards for me including jellyfish and crocodiles. The beaches were not guarded during the time I was there. I don't know if last December's bad storm caused extensive damage.

From my second base in Cairns, I did another GBR trip, Kuranda, day trip to the Tablelands, local places - Botanic Garden, night market, attended a class on GBR fish and wildlife, and aquarium. I would pick either Cairns or Port Douglas for your outings to Kuranda, Daintree, and GBR. Both cities have shuttles and tours. Cairns may be more convenient, I haven't checked current tour companies.

I took a pass on Uluru. I thought Sedona and the American West would be similar enough - but I don't know if that actually is true or not as I didn't go! That would be a good question for Tripadvisor. I think I actually researched that question a few years back.

I researched swimming in the Coral Sea before I headed to Port Douglas. I do swim regularly in the Atlantic Ocean and at local beaches when I lived in Asia, so I am not unfamiliar with ocean swimming and potential hazards.

After reading some articles like this one: https://worldtravelfamily.com/can-you-swim-in-port-douglas/ , I decided not to swim. As I said, the beaches weren't guarded at the time I was there. There had also been some crocodile sightings around the time that I visited. The forested areas come very close to the beach making it lovely, but also providing good crocodile habitats. Given all that and lack of experience in the area, I decided to just stroll Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas.

Not to make life harder for you, but have you looked at Hartley's Crocodiles in the Cairns/Port Douglas area? I thought it would be a "tourist trap", but it was so well promoted and reviewed that I went. It was one of my most interesting stops in all of Australia. There was shuttle or day trip transport from both Cairns and Port Douglas when I was there - don't know now.

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.