[annharth]

I've lived in Australia for over 20 years. It's a country with everything. Rainforest, reef, desert, waterfalls, every natural wonder imaginable. You can have a wild adventure or five-star comfort. A traveling tip: If bringing kids, its a long trip. Wrap up a dozen or so presents (things to do, coloring books etc) and put them in a back pack. Inform your child they can have one every hour or every hour and a half. Buy them a watch and teach tehm to use it. They will spend the time waiting for the next present. It works, I've done it.

If anyone wants any tips re Australian travel, I can possibly help...

[Becky]

Tips would be appreciated!

My husband and I are going just after Thanksgiving to visit a friend who moved there just a year ago. These are the sites that she shared with me:

• http://www.totaltravel.com.au/ general
• http://www.deltaeuropcar.com.au/ rental cars
• http://www.bridgeclimb.com/sydney/ bridge climb
• http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/sect...ice/?sm=1&ss=1 opera house
• http://www.bluemts.com.au/tourist/ blue mountains, Sydney area
• http://www.voyeurmagic.com.au/panorama.htm Bondi Beach, Sydney area
• http://www.poseidon-cruises.com.au/ snorkelling trip
• http://www.treknorth.com.au/cape-tribulation-tour.htm cape tribulation tour, cairns
• http://www.daintreeinfo.com/ cape tribulation tour, cairns
• http://www.oztours.com.au/dt01.htm cape tribulation tour, cairns
• http://www.xe.com/ucc/ currency converter
• http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/ Sydney (click on about Sydney)
• http://citymap.cityofsydney.nsw.gov....e%20Base%20Map Sydney map

Any other tips for me?

[annharth]

You must be excited! It's a big country, so I guess the main thing to ask is where will you be based? Also, will you be able to travel much?
There is a website at www.australia.com that gives you an overview of the whole country.
Personally, I think the two most beautiful areas are Tasmania and North Queensland.

Tasmania because of it's history and the small town feel, even in the capital city. North Queensland due to the amazing natural phenomena. It's ana mzing place for a holiday. The Great Barrier Reef and islands scattered along the coast is not to be missed. I see you have a website that mentions the Daintree. Very beautiful up there. Cassowaries (endangered) can often be seen crossing the main road. Amazing birds. Rainforest meets the sea and the beaches are incredible. One problem... you can't go swimming in the ocean safely up there during the summer months (which will be when you are here). This is due to stingers or jellyfish. I'm not sure how many tourist companies make this clear before someone comes over. The dates are between November and April. Even so, it's a beautiful place to walk along the beach and there are some walking trails into the rainforest as well.

Around the Cairns area, you have dozens of bushwalks, boats to the islands and reef, a skyrail trip up a mountain into the rainforest village of Kuranda and the Tjapukai dance theatre which is an amazing show put on by the local aboriginal tribe. The city itself is ocean side.

If you want to be in a pristine natural area and see tons of crocodiles, head for the northwest and Kakadu National Park. Lots of accomodation there and the most magnificent wild mountains, waterfalls, rivers imaginable.

Hope this stirs up the excitement a little. If you can tell me the general area you'll be staying, I'll be able to tell you more.

Have fun planning.

[Becky]

Thanks for the tips

We're flying in to Brisbane and spending a week with a friend in that area--she lives in Surfers Paradise. Then we'll be in Cairns for three days and Sydney for another three days. At this point we were hoping to snorkel in Cairns--is that not going to be possible with the jellyfish? Also, a big plan for sydney was to do the bridge climb--have you done that before?

Becky

[annharth]

Snorkeling in Cairns won't be a problem as they take you out to the islands or to the reef in one of the tourists boats. The jellyfish breed in the mangroves close to land, so they rarely see them that far out. The reef should be fine.

The historical train up to the Kuranda Markets is a nice trip and you can take a skyrail over the rainforest back down to Cairns. Just hanging out on the esplanade is beautiful too. There's a new swimming area that is right next to the ocean. You'll have plenty to do.

A word of warning about Surfer's Paradise, though if you have friends living there, they'll know all about it. There is a week at the end of November that's called schoolies week. There is an influx of newly graduated high school students who party there for a week. I imagine it's a little like Spring Break in Miami. Not the place I would want to hang out, anyway. Anyway, if you mention it to your friends, they'll know what I'm talking about. I suggest you avoid that week in Surfers paradise.

I've never climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge, but I have seen it. The Botanical Gardens is beautiful in Sydney as well.

Have a great trip. It's the best time of year to come here. Wear lots of sunscreen!

[byokids]

Hi Becky,
Your trip to Australia sounds great you will love Brisbane, Cairns and Surfers Paradise. Make sure you check out the free water playgrounds, one is on the Cairns esplanade and there is one along the Brisbane River at southbank. I have a travel website www.byokids.com.au ....your family travel gurus which will help with some of your planning.
Have fun leah