Travel Advice for 3 Weeks in Australia

We didn't visit Hobart or Adelaide, but loved Melbourne, Sydney and Cairns as well as Perth.

Perth is far away, so you would skip that one. When I researched going to Tasmania, I discovered that it is a popular tourist site for Aussies in their Summer. I didn't seem like a good idea to go at that time. Not sue about October?

Sydney is wonderful, you need about 5-6 days for that city as well as day trips to the Blue Mountains and the wine country north of the city. There are some great museums in that city and a harbor cruise is a must. Do the zoo, take the city tour that includes Bondi Beach and take in an opera at the famous Opera House. Climb the harbor bridge towers, cheaper than doing the Bridge Climb.
Melbourne is great, spend a couple of days there and take a day to visit nearby wine country. Also, be sure to take a tour that goes to The Great Ocean Road and to Philip Island for the penguins.
Cairns is great for going to the amazing Great Barrier Reef.

Thanks for the response!

I haven’t been to the other locations you’ve mentioned in Australia but I have spent about two weeks total in Sydney on two separate trips. It is a wonderful city to walk around exploring or ferry-hopping. Geovagriffith mentioned the zoo - there are two different ones in Sydney. I went to the Taronga Zoo and besides being a very enjoyable zoo, it has an amazing view of Sydney as it is across the harbor from Sydney. Going to the Blue Mountains as a day trip was a lot of fun….went there on both of my trips. I also took a Hunter Valley wine tour from Sydney with my daughter and that was well worth it and we even got to see kangaroos.

We stayed for a week in Melbourne without a car during the month of February. We really enjoyed the city with its beautiful botanical garden, parks, sport/concert venues, river front, passageways, dining , etc. We did take a tour to a winery and wildlife sanctuary from Melbourne. We saw kangaroos hopping through a pasture on our way out of the city. We went to see the little fairy penguins using public transportation at the breakwater in the suburb of St. Kilda. During the month of February the adults would swim back to the rocky breakwater at dusk to feed the young chicks. Not sure what their habits are in October.

We went to Hobart Tasmania as a 1 day cruise stop on the same trip and took a tour from there that involved a National park and a kangaroo rescue station.

We didn’t get to spend enough time in beautiful Sydney and hope to go back next winter for a much longer stay.

In Adelaide there is lots of accomodation and restaurants in the city centre with easy walks to the art galleries, museums, theatres, botanic gardens, central market etc. Adelaide is pretty well surrounded by wine growing regions and there are plenty of day tours from the city, so no need to drive. If you would like to have a closer look at our native animals, Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide hills is accessible by public transport and well worth a visit. If you change your mind about the beach, Adelaide has lovely beaches a short public transport trip from the city.
The local tourism website southaustralia.com has lots (or as the locals say heaps) of information.
Have a great trip.

Thanks for all the advice. It's really helpful to hear from people that have visited these cities!

I think your locations and allocation of days is fine especially considering your interests. We have been to all but Hobart. We're very fond of Adelaide with it's proximity to Barossa Valley. And it's very walkable. We have stayed at Adabco Boutique Hotel as have friends who also liked it.

@SLM

If you venture to this tin pot little island, the following may be of assistance in Hobart.

https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/things-to-do/food-and-drink/where-to-eat-in-hobart/

https://www.australiantraveller.com/tas/south-tasmania/hobart/foodies-guide-to-hobart/

https://diningtas.com.au/2023/04/25/15-best-restaurants-in-hobart-2023-2/

Bear in mind that some of the above may have paid to be included in these webpages.

This one is popular with the locals especially for Christmas and other functions. https://drunkenadmiral.net/

Most if not all are described as casual dining.

If looking for somewhere classy: https://wrestpoint.com.au/restaurant/the-point-revolving-restaurant/ One of my favourites, especially at night. Part of the old-world slow food movement. 4 or more-hour dining experience.

Do you remember this scene at Cicada Club, Los Angeles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbAE8dE_3l4

Notice what the men do when Vivian stands to leave the table. That is showing respect for the lady. That is classy. Tells a lot about the male diners.

Also, I suspect, like me, many have made a mess of our first attempts mastering the dexterity needed to manage those snail tongs.

Info about wine industry around Hobart. https://winetasmania.com.au/wine-trails/southern-trail

I think you may be asking about Qantas Explorer Fares. https://help.qantas.com/support/s/article/Qantas-Explorer-fares
Not available to me. Seems they can only be booked outside of Australia. Read conditions very carefully.

Bit late in noticing your blog. A local girl made good has dominated since New Year’s Day.

Regards Ron