Suggestions for a four week family trip to Australia and Sydney

[Itsanewyear26]

Please give me all your suggestions of where to go in Australia!

Family of four, DC 12 and 9, once in a lifetime trip. Four weeks in total and looking to do 2 nights in Singapore on the way. The only big definite is Sydney.

Air BnB tips and hacks welcome too, please, what to look for and what to avoid.

Depends what time of year you are going. We went to Australia last summer (Australia winter). Being out of season we soon sussed out that the Airbnb rates drop quite substantially the closer to the available date. So hold off booking them up until a day or two in advance of your occupancy.

Otherwise you are looking at the reviews from previous tenants mainly about how quiet the surroundings are, how clean n tidy the place is etc plus accommodation details listed by the host such as how close transport links and convenience stores are.

I’d recommend flying up to Cairns and exploring some of Queensland. Snorkelling on the reef, rainforests, riverboat croc spotting trips, beautiful beaches.

Aus is as big as Europe, so each area will be best at different times of the year. Don't underestimate distances. Some people think Sydney to Cairns is just a day trip in a hire car. Its 2,400 km or 26hrs non stop to drive! Or a 3hr flight. Jet star and virgin Australia are airlines which offer internal flights around the country. Unless your flight stops in Perth, I'd stay on the East coast.

If you can say what time of year you are going, we might have more specific suggestions. Also, what do you like to do as a family? Swimming/snorkelling/outdoors? Museums? Cities? Outback/rural?

The Jen Hotel on Orchard is very nice and central.
I loved the Gardens by the Sea, and Sentosa Island is lovely for swimming.

Sydney you just have to take the Manley ferry, and a visit to the Rocks. Bonding Beach is lovely, there's a pool if you don't want to sea swim.

A visit to the Barrier Reef snorkelling is amazing, it was one of the most wonderful things I'd ever experienced. And the Whitsundays, they are just stunning.

Coober Pedy was pretty amazing but probably not worth the very long travelling to get there. Cairns we enjoyed, Darwin was OK but I didn't love it. There's some rather spectacular rainforest around.

Have a lovely time.

We are going to Kakadu national park on a 3 day guided tour as part of our holiday in July

In Sydney, rather than staying in the CBD, I recommend Coogee. It's only a short journey from the Opera House, costing around £15 in an Uber, but it's an absolutely gorgeous beach town, with lots of dining options. We stayed at the Coogee Sands Hotel and Apartments, in a Deluxe Oceanview Terrace Room - room 416. It had an enormous terrace with sun loungers and a big table with seating for 6. It overlooks the ocean and the Pavilion. Absolutely brilliant if you fancy a night on the balcony with a take-away. Would be great if kids were tired.

Don't miss having a meal at the Opera Bar. It's at the base of the Opera House and the setting is stunning. The fish and chips are lovely! The kids might enjoy seeing the dogs that are on patrol to scare away the seagulls! You can take a boat here over to Manly, which is really enjoyable.

Don't expect to see many Kangaroos. To seek them out, find a golf course. Don't worry about spiders, we only saw one tiny one in 3 weeks.

Painsville is a lovely little town. We stayed at Mariners Cove which is literally on the water. If you want to see Koala's go to Raymond Island. You get a 5 minute ferry there which is fun. If you want to eat at the restaurant that sits on the water, book in advance.

I echo a PP who recommended the Jen Singapore Orchard Gateway in Singapore. If you book a Club Room here, you will have access to the Executive Lounge on the top floor. You can get a quiet breakfast in here (away from the main restaurant), also at night you can get food here (hot and cold) and also alcoholic drinks for 2 hours, all for FREE. Children are allowed in here. As it's rooftop, you get amazing vistas across the City and you can see the Marina Bay Sands all lit up. You can also swim at night. There's a Tiki Bar at the pool. You can get a lift right down into the Metro too. Stunning hotel!

I'm sure the kids would love the Duck Tours in Singapore. They are boats that can also be driven on land. You start off on land, tour around the streets, then plunge into the water and sail around the harbour. Fantastic fun! You MUST book ahead to get a place, it's very popular.

The Merlion is great to see. There is a Universal theme park here too, if that's your bag.

Just to add, we are doing the Indian Pacific train journey next year, that goes from Sydney to Perth via the outback. It's a bit pricey, but it's All Inclusive for food and drinks, and includes several trips off the train.