Two Weeks in January: Sydney, Brisbane and ......where?

We are a family of four...parents in early sixties and young men in late twenties. We are all scheduled to fly into Sydney and will split a week between Sydney and ......not sure. Then the young men will depart from Sydney and parents will move on to Melburne (perhaps staying an additional day in Sydney first). Parents will fly home from Melburne. (Young men need to return to work sooner than parents.)

 

Originally thought the second stop would be Great Barrier reef but dismayed to learn that January is not a safe time. (Do I have that correct?) Considering Brisbane or Gold Coast (but which town to stay in for Gold Coast?)

 

Where would you suggest visiting in addition to Sydney? Would you split it four days in Sydney and 3 days 'other'? Or the reverse. Reasoning?

 

Interested in all information which can be obtained from you knowledgeable folks!

 

Thanks so much!

January would be very hot and humid around Cairns, which is the best place for the Great Barrier Reef. And, yes, it is stinger season, but all of the reef operators provide stinger suits for people who want to snorkel. If it's always been your dream to see the Great Barrier Reef then I suggest you do so before global warming destroys it.

 

It won't rain constantly so you will still be able to do other sightseeing, just pack an umbrella (ponchos are too hot).

 

Otherwise I suggest the Gold Coast, your sons might enjoy the beachy atmosphere there rather than the city. Stay somewhere central - there is a light rail that runs from Broadbeach up past Surfers Paradise so it's easy to get around.

January is not "unsafe" in the GBR area (Cairns/Port Douglas). It's just not a great time to go there because of the weather and because it's stinger season. The weather will be hot and humid with probable rain showers. It's also cyclone (hurricane) season, so you might experience that. Stingers are deadly jellyfish and, as protection, you have to wear a stinger suits (they're Lycra, not neoprene) to snorkel. If you swim off a beach, you have to swim within the confines of a stinger net and, advisably, wear a stinger suit. (The boat will provide stinger suits for the GBR tour; you'd have to buy one if you want to wear it swimming off the beach.) Despite the fact that conditions are not optimal in the GBR area in January, lots of people still go there.

 

I would plan on 4 days in Sydney (including a day trip to the Blue Mountains) and your 2nd destination could be a variety of places. I wouldn't give up on the idea of Cairns because in 3 days you could do a snorkel trip and a tour (guided or self-guided) to Daintree National Park, a World Heritage Site rainforest.

 

Personally, I don't care much for the Gold Coast--crowded with huge condo high rises, lots of people and amusement parks--nor am I wild about Brisbane. But if those places interest you, you could certainly visit them in 3 day's time.

 

I'm (slightly) prejudiced because I used to live there, but in 3 days you could make a driving trip to Canberra. If you like museums and galleries, it's got many excellent ones (and most of them are free). (I could spend all day in the Australian War Memorial--and I have more than once!) It's also a great place for outdoor activities like road biking, mountain biking, hiking and seeing native animals in the wild. If you do the easy 6km RT Yankee Hat Hike in Namadgi National Park just outside Canberra, I can guarantee you will see LOTS of kangaroos, some probably close to the hiking trail. There's also Aboriginal rock drawings at the turnaround point. Another good spot for seeing native animals is Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

 

Also, I see from another of your postings that someone in your party wants to do a hot air balloon ride. You can do this in Canberra. We did it with Balloon Aloft, but Dawn Drifters also offers these rides. You'd want to book this in advance.

 

A nice drive there might be down the coast to Batesman Bay, stopping at Pebbly Beach for a swim and a look at the kangaroos on the beach. Then cut over to Canberra through the nice country towns of Braidwood, Bungendore and Queanbeyan. Then you could return via the faster inland road (and if you like a good used bookstore, go to Berkelouw Book Barn in Bowral.)

Edited September 8, 2016 by GradUT

Canberra is a good pick, or the Hunter Valley.

 

While Newcastle is a bit tattered at the moment from there you could do

 

Surfing around Newcastle (may interest the boys)

 

Lake Macquarie, fishing, boating etc.

 

Port Stephens Whale or Dolphin watch (I can never remember which is when) and Surf.

 

The Vineyards of the Hunter. Bush walking.

 

It really comes down to what you like.

Edited September 8, 2016 by GUT2407

Agree with comments on Cairns / GBR and FNQ (far north Queensland ). Ditto for the Gold Coast.

Very good beaches, but other than that it's a bit soul less and like Miami (with far worse cocktails ).

Consider the SUNSHINE coast instead.

Geographical the Gold Coast is roughly 90 min drive south of brisbane and the sunshine coast is 90 min north.

All 3 towns / areas have airports with frequent flights from /to Sydney and Melbourne. Brisbane (BNE) of course most frequent and probably least expensive.

The Gold Coast is served by Coolangatta airport (OOL) and the Sunshine coast by Sunshine Coast - Maroochydore airport (MCY).

for the Sunshine coast Google Noosa. That's the most famous place up there. A lot more laid back and "sophisticated " than the gold Coast.

Agree with comments on Cairns / GBR and FNQ (far north Queensland ). Ditto for the Gold Coast.

Very good beaches, but other than that it's a bit soul less and like Miami (with far worse cocktails ).

Consider the SUNSHINE coast instead.

Geographical the Gold Coast is roughly 90 min drive south of brisbane and the sunshine coast is 90 min north.

All 3 towns / areas have airports with frequent flights from /to Sydney and Melbourne. Brisbane (BNE) of course most frequent and probably least expensive.

The Gold Coast is served by Coolangatta airport (OOL) and the Sunshine coast by Sunshine Coast - Maroochydore airport (MCY).

for the Sunshine coast Google Noosa. That's the most famous place up there. A lot more laid back and "sophisticated " than the gold Coast.

 

Would there be the same 'stinger' fish issue in the Sunshine coast also?

Thanks, everyone, for all the responses and information.

 

It is a little overwhelming!

Any recommendations on places to stay in the Sunshine Coast. It looks beautiful there and a beach sounds just lovely on our arrival day!

No, don't get the stingers on the sunshine coast. My favourite places to stay are Caloundra or Mooloolaba. (Caloundra is more quiet, Mooloolaba more trendy) The Mantra Zanzibar at Mooloolaba is great - beautiful water views and handy to everything. Underwater world is nice to see there too. I like La Promenade at Caloundra. One thing you have to do while on the coast is go to a Surf Club - right on the water.

Cairns is lovely - for the GBR and there are other things to see there also. Just an 'iffy' time with the weather.

For anywhere else it depends on what you like to see - outback, rainforest, attractions etc

No, don't get the stingers on the sunshine coast. My favourite places to stay are Caloundra or Mooloolaba. (Caloundra is more quiet, Mooloolaba more trendy) The Mantra Zanzibar at Mooloolaba is great - beautiful water views and handy to everything. Underwater world is nice to see there too. I like La Promenade at Caloundra. One thing you have to do while on the coast is go to a Surf Club - right on the water.

Cairns is lovely - for the GBR and there are other things to see there also. Just an 'iffy' time with the weather.

For anywhere else it depends on what you like to see - outback, rainforest, attractions etc

 

Thank you. What is a Surf Club? Is it just for surfers?

 

We were trying to look in Noosa. Do you not recommend Noosa? Thanks for the help!

A surf club is like a supporters club attached to the surf lifesaving clubs. They are mainly for meals and pokies(slots). Anyone can go. But they nearly always have the best location right on the beach so great views while having a nice meal or drink.

 

I personally don't like Noosa ( too small, overcrowded, way overpriced, full of snobs..lol) but tourists really like it so it's worth having a look. I haven't stayed there for a long time so can't recommend anywhere to stay, sorry. (Normally stay at nearby Munna Point)

 

When I'm checking out places I love looking at google street view to get a good look at the area and find names of places to stay. Hastings Street is the main one in Noosa. Maybe find a few names and look at tripadvisor to see what people recommend.

On your way to Melbourne drive south along the coast to Batemans Bay, some beautiful places to visit on the drive, then spend a few days in Canberra (incidentally where I live so ask any questions). Weather will be warm but no humidity so makes it quite pleasant for getting out and about. Not if you enjoy culture then you will enjoy Canberra. Would need at least 3 full days to visit all the sights.

 

 

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It really comes down to what you like.

This is really the most important bit of advice. And while the Sunshine Coast has its attractions, you've come all the way to a huge and fascinating continent - you really want to spend time at a beach?

 

Personally, given that 4 days in Sydney is about a seventh of the time that you need to see Sydney and its surrounds properly, my first suggestion would simply be to do the week in Sydney. You won't run out of interesting things to see and do there, and you won't waste precious sightseeing time in travelling from one place to another. (For example, you'd lose about half a day just travelling from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast.)

 

If you really do want to go somewhere else, then in those timescales I would try not to waste time driving from place to place (especially during the time that the younger ones are there as well). So I'd second the suggestion of spending the last couple of days in Canberra. Compared to other Australian destinations it's very easy to get to from Sydney, particularly by air. So if you did that at the end of the first week, the "boys" could easily fly Canberra-Sydney-USA without stopping over in Sydney, and you could fly Canberra-Melbourne.

 

If you want to spend some time driving to see the countryside, I think I'd rather do the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne than to try to drive from either Sydney or Canberra to Melbourne.

Again, thanks for all the information.

 

We are definitely flying into Sydney and flying right back out to our 'alternate destination' due to the hotel pricing on New Years in Sydney. That is not changeable.

 

One son has already been to Sydney so it's not such a short time there for him. And DH and I will probably stay an extra night or two before flying to Melbourne where we will stay with his college friend.

 

We are not planning on any long drives due to time constraints.

 

So, it's USA to Sydney to "undecided". Then back to Sydney for the time there and the sons' return flights. Then DH and I will fly to Melbourne and return to USA from there. International flights are booked and unchangeable.

 

We have heard such wonderful things about the beautiful ocean areas of Australia that it seemed like a good idea to go to a beachy location to unwind for a couple days and maybe do a tour or two from there. Then we would be rested and a little acclimated to the time difference in order to make the best use of the time in Sydney.

 

Does it make sense in reality? To these outsiders it made sense.

 

Unfortunately we arrive at about 7 am which isn't very conducive to flights out of Sydney to other places apparently.

 

Please, we are all ears for your thoughts.

 

Thank you!

Again, thanks for all the information.

 

We are definitely flying into Sydney and flying right back out to our 'alternate destination' due to the hotel pricing on New Years in Sydney. That is not changeable.

 

One son has already been to Sydney so it's not such a short time there for him. And DH and I will probably stay an extra night or two before flying to Melbourne where we will stay with his college friend.

 

We are not planning on any long drives due to time constraints.

 

So, it's USA to Sydney to "undecided". Then back to Sydney for the time there and the sons' return flights. Then DH and I will fly to Melbourne and return to USA from there. International flights are booked and unchangeable.

 

We have heard such wonderful things about the beautiful ocean areas of Australia that it seemed like a good idea to go to a beachy location to unwind for a couple days and maybe do a tour or two from there. Then we would be rested and a little acclimated to the time difference in order to make the best use of the time in Sydney.

 

Does it make sense in reality? To these outsiders it made sense.

 

Unfortunately we arrive at about 7 am which isn't very conducive to flights out of Sydney to other places apparently.

 

Please, we are all ears for your thoughts.

 

Thank you!

 

Hello

 

What date do you arrive in Sydney??

Again, thanks for all the information.

 

We are definitely flying into Sydney and flying right back out to our 'alternate destination' due to the hotel pricing on New Years in Sydney. That is not changeable.

 

One son has already been to Sydney so it's not such a short time there for him. And DH and I will probably stay an extra night or two before flying to Melbourne where we will stay with his college friend.

 

We are not planning on any long drives due to time constraints.

 

So, it's USA to Sydney to "undecided". Then back to Sydney for the time there and the sons' return flights. Then DH and I will fly to Melbourne and return to USA from there. International flights are booked and unchangeable.

 

We have heard such wonderful things about the beautiful ocean areas of Australia that it seemed like a good idea to go to a beachy location to unwind for a couple days and maybe do a tour or two from there. Then we would be rested and a little acclimated to the time difference in order to make the best use of the time in Sydney.

 

Does it make sense in reality? To these outsiders it made sense.

 

Unfortunately we arrive at about 7 am which isn't very conducive to flights out of Sydney to other places apparently.

 

Please, we are all ears for your thoughts.

 

Thank you!

 

Yes it is making sense..you are coming from a long way away and want to see things that you wouldn't normally get at home - I don't think you see much surfing areas in New England? Sounds like with the time contstraints, either the Gold or Sunshine Coasts or Cairns would suit. So much to see from all these places. Flying to Cairns is about a 3hr flight from Sydney. The others is a 1hr flight to Brisbane and then a 1hr drive or you can fly direct to Gold Coast. Looks like there are plenty of flights around New Years day.

Unfortunately we arrive at about 7 am which isn't very conducive to flights out of Sydney to other places apparently.

I think whoever told you that is probably misinformed. There's generally no problem getting a domestic flight from Sydney after a 7 am arrival there. The only thing that might make it different for you is if you arrive on an unusual day on which there are fewer flights than normal. It sounds like you're actually arriving on the morning of 31 December, but you'd have to check the schedules for that day to see whether there are oddities about what's flying that day.

 

You also have to bear in mind that if you check on a system that shows network airlines' flights, many low fare airlines' flights won't show up. So if you're going somewhere leisure oriented like the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast, those systems might show fewer flights than there actually are.

Hello

 

What date do you arrive in Sydney??

 

New Years Day.

I think whoever told you that is probably misinformed. There's generally no problem getting a domestic flight from Sydney after a 7 am arrival there. The only thing that might make it different for you is if you arrive on an unusual day on which there are fewer flights than normal. It sounds like you're actually arriving on the morning of 31 December, but you'd have to check the schedules for that day to see whether there are oddities about what's flying that day.

 

You also have to bear in mind that if you check on a system that shows network airlines' flights, many low fare airlines' flights won't show up. So if you're going somewhere leisure oriented like the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast, those systems might show fewer flights than there actually are.

 

I think I looked through Google flights. Could you suggest a better option for checking flights? Much appreciated.

There seem to be plenty of flights to Cairns, the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast on 31st December.

 

If you can't see them any other way try checking Virgin Australia, Qantas, or Jetstar websites directly.

Edited September 10, 2016 by OzKiwiJJ

I live in Brisbane and if you would like to see our beautiful beaches, Sunshine Coast is where to go. Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headlands, Dickey Beach or Caloundra are my picks. Noosa is lovely and they do have a protected beach but it is very commercialised and quite expensive. If you decide to go to the Gold Coast, stay away from Surfers Paradise and head for Coolangatta. You have long and wide stretches of white sand and beautiful water. Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast are often overlooked when people come and visit Australia, they are not as crowded, but the beaches are beautiful.

 

 

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There seem to be plenty of flights to Cairns, the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast on 31st December.

 

If you can't see them any other way try checking Virgin Australia, Qantas, or Jetstar websites directly.

 

Just keep in mind this is summer holidays in Australia and the most expensive time of the year - especially over new year. If you were wanting to spend a few days in Canberra then it is a 3 hour bus ride or 40 minute flight. Spectacular NYE fireworks (I'd even invite you to our balcony to watch) and hotels are considerably cheaper than anywhere in a major city or coastal area. Whatever your decision you will need to book accommodation very soon. You may find the Sunshine and Gold Coast are already heavily booked. Also flights tend to go up in price 3 months out. So, you need to make a decision. Wherever you go in Oz you will enjoy. You now have far too many choices.

I think I looked through Google flights. Could you suggest a better option for checking flights?

If you can't see them any other way try checking Virgin Australia, Qantas, or Jetstar websites directly.

Also check Tigerair's Australian site, in case those flights don't show up on Virgin Australia's site (I don't know and I haven't had a chance to check).

 

You're also likely to see better fares on the airlines' own websites than through Google Flights, because they can sell the cheapest fares which are typically for sale in Aus/NZ/SW Pacific only (and the airlines' own websites count for that), whereas Google Flights is often restricted to fares which can be sold in the US.

Can't remember how much time you said you had to work with other than Sydney, but if you want to see the GBR you could fly into cairns, Townesville or Proserpine (airlie beach) from Sydney and spend a couple of days there. all 3 places are nice in their own way yet very different. None of them really have great swimming beaches at that time of year, unless you travel to some of the islands like magnetic but even then you would probably still need a stinger suit. From any of those towns you can fly back into Brisbane airport and head an hour drive north to the Sunshine Coast as other have mentioned. Noosa is nice but as a tourist you really want to be staying on or within a couple minutes walk of Hasting st. At the time of the year you will need a mortgage to rent an apartment there. A better area would be Mooloolaba as it is very central to the coast with buses and taxis and now uber going everywhere. And one of the best beaches in Australia. Great local seafood, Australia zoo 25 mins away. This will also be busy and expensive at this time of year. Sunshine Coast airport has direct flights to Sydney or Melbourne a few times per day, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin.

We lived on the Sunshine Coast for 22 years before moving to Cairns 3 years ago.

 

Either of these places are a good choice... they each have pros and cons.

 

Mooloolaba is the best place to stay on the Sunshine Coast.... Noosa is overpriced and frankly there is nothing there except overpriced boutiques and a beach. Mooloolaba has a wonderful beach, lots of nice cafes and restaurants and the atmosphere is lovely, however, it is very crowded there now and in January it gets manic with the school holidays and frankly, if you haven't booked accommodation yet, you might be out of luck to find a nice place overlooking the beach on the Esplanade. Apart from the beach there is Australia Zoo which will pick you up from your accommodation in Mooloolaba. There is Maleny and Montville in the hinterland which is a nice day out... There is Eumundi which has markets on a Wednesday and Saturday.

 

Cairns is much better to stay at than Port Douglas, especially if you only have a couple of days to spend here. Cairns in January is hot and humid, but everywhere is airconditioned and there is a wonderful public pool which is free right on the Esplanade overlooking the Trinity Inlet, Marina and cafes and restaurants. The Esplanade is a great place to find affordable accommodation which overlooks the water. The beaches are not a good place to go in January as it is stinger season and the beaches are more like the Caribbean than with big waves like down south. There are also crocodiles to worry about. I hope I haven't turned you off Cairns as there is so much to see and do here you won't even think about the beach. There is the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Kuranda, Kuranda Scenic Railway, Daintree, Atherton Tablelands with the waterfalls, fruit wineries, coffee plantations, Dairy farms, magnificent scenery and of course the Great Barrier Reef.... you will be hard pressed to decide what to do in the short time you have here.

 

I hope this has helped a bit, google all the places I have mentioned and make a decision.

Edited September 12, 2016 by Billy and Charlie's Mum