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Original poster

Australia trip

82 replies

Summersoul · 08/07/2023 08:33

We are planning to do Australia next summer. We have never been long haul before mainly just Europe so its a big trip, once in a lifetime kind of thing. Does anyone have any advice on where to go? It will be next July for 3 weeks and we need to factor in Sydney to see family in the Blue Mountains. Which airlines are best? Is a few days in Singapore on the way out a good idea? Where to stop on the way back? Il have my MIL DH and my girls 17 and 15 any guidance very welcome

OP posts:
tacomaco · 08/07/2023 09:10

It’s a long way to go for 3 weeks and wanting to do stop overs. I’d consider just getting there and may be doing a couple of nights coming back. Singapore is lovely but I think it will depend if you want to do more sightseeing coming back or a couple of days by the pool such as Dubai. Hong Kong is good for a couple of days, as is Kuala Lumpur.

Once you’ve decided what you want to do stop over that will help with airlines. They are all pretty good for economy. Just grin and bear it as it is a long way. We do like Emirates to fly with but hate Dubai, hence my comment of just get to Australia and get home so no stop overs.

Oz wise, I hate to say it but it’s a big place. Have you any idea where you’d like to see apart from Sydney? The east coast has decent places to visit. The west coast does too but it’s a little more remote. Flying east coast to west coast is the same as the UK to Tenerife. A but further actually so multi city and flying time, check in etc all will take a big chunk of time out of your 3 weeks.

If you’ve never been before, I’d go straight there. Do Sydney then consider what’s next. Do you want beach and chilling or more city break. You can then May be look at Brisbane and the Gold Coast or Melbourne and down Great Ocean Road.

Holidaytime8 · 08/07/2023 10:02

I recommend the Sunshine Coast, it’s beautiful - but agree with PP! It’s a really big place. Is there anywhere you’ve always wanted to go in Australia?

A stopover in Singapore always works really well for us.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 08/07/2023 10:08

We are planning to do Australia next summer

Australia's a very big place so you are going to have to focus yourself and select a few places. It's not a country you can 'do' in the sense of seeing all the highlights. I've been there nine times and barely scratched the surface of Queensland, let alone anywhere else.

BobShark · 08/07/2023 10:21

3 weeks isn't long, you need to pick 2/3 weeks paces.
Or you could campervan the east coast.

Bare in mind it's winter here right now and bloody freezing (I'm in sydney) so if you want warmer weather the Northern Territory is perfect this time of year,

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 08/07/2023 10:28

so if you want warmer weather the Northern Territory is perfect this time of year

As DM used to say when the weather forecast came on 'NT will be hot and dry or hot and wet.'

Amicompletelyinsane · 08/07/2023 10:28

We landed in Sydney and then spent our 3 weeks travelling down to Melbourne. We stayed in different places every night or two. We saw so much. Then we flew home from Melbourne. Hire car was simple to sort to be able to do that. You miss so much if you just go from city to city directly
Oh and Emirates were great, 2 hour stop in dubai. Don't think I'd stop anywhere for longer, you really will want the whole time in Australia

ContractQuestion · 08/07/2023 10:31

Singaprore Airlines is amazing. Singapore Airport is worth having trapped time in. We stop in the airport hotel for a 4 hour (I think) nap. And a swim on the open top pool. And if you're there long enough they did do a free coach tour of Singapore (we got out at a temple) . This was if you planned something like an 8 hour stop and don't know if it's the same post covid.

There's a butterfly garden that's lovely and sunflower garden.... honestly changi airport is a destination in itself and you want to manipulate the time in between flights to make the most of it.

Bankholidayboredom23 · 08/07/2023 10:38

Keep in mind Australian winter is not like UK summer and pack accordingly. What that looks like depends on where you visit of course. Does it absolutely have to be in July? My favourite time of year to go is Easter holidays and I go most years.

PrincessofWellies · 08/07/2023 10:38

Can you give yourselves 4 weeks. 3 is not really long enough, the travel is quite knackering unless you do 1st class. We loved Wollongong sth of Sydney. Travelling up the east coast to Cairns is lovely, you can then factor in a barrier reef trip and do the rainforest. If you can possibly manage it a trip to Whitsunday Isles is amazing. So beautiful.

Aaron95 · 08/07/2023 10:39

Three weeks isn't long as Australia is a massive country. I would forget stopovers, just get the flights over and done with.

In that time period I would focus on three places. You can fly daily between all major Australian cities. If you are committed to Sydney and the family in Victoria then I would add in a visit to Alice Springs to see the red centre, Ayres Rock etc. and then go for a week in Queensland. Fly to Cairns and spend a couple of days seeing the reef then hire a car and travel to see the rest of Queensland. That way you get to see the desert, the rainforest and spend some time in Sydney and the surrounding area.

Personally I would fly Emirates. Both legs will be on A380s which are incredibly comfortable. But there are other good airlines flying that direction too.

Nesbi · 08/07/2023 10:46

I would probably stick to the East coast and apart from Sydney, head North for hopefully warmer/more settled weather. Think about what most appeals, beaches, rainforest, islands…

As others have said, it’s a big old place. If you think this is the only time you’ll go, the temptation will be to try to see too much, but I think that is a mistake. You don’t really want to spend a holiday rushing from place to place just to be able to say you’ve seen it. Constantly packing and moving can get really tiring!

Pay attention to the distances between places and how long it will take, whether that’s by car, train, or plane. Looking at a map it is easy to forget the scale!

We go regularly and for similar lengths of time to see family. We’re normally based in 2 locations which will be a short flight away from each other.

Nesbi · 08/07/2023 10:50

3 weeks is fine I think (although longer is great if you can).

The comment about going First Class made me laugh - you’d easily be looking at about £10,000 a head so that person clearly has more money than I do! We’ll be sticking to Economy, at least until we’re no longer taking the kids with us!

Morewineplease10 · 08/07/2023 10:56

I was in Sydney twice in their winter. I went to tge blue mountains both times which was gorgeous and skied fir a couple of days in the snowy mountains! It was a long time ago and quite cheap then.

See your relatives and then fly to queensland for better weather.

Hippyhippybake · 08/07/2023 11:01

Melbourne will be cold in July so personally I would give Victoria a miss. My favourites are the northern NSW beaches, the QLD Sunshine Coast and Port Douglas. I find Etihad has improved a lot in recent years and you can buy extra legroom by each leg for a reasonable price which is a godsend.

toomuchlaundry · 08/07/2023 11:08

Went to Australia about 20 years ago (can’t believe it’s that long ago!). We went for about 3 weeks, did Sydney, Brisbane (family celebration rather than choice of destination), Cairns/Fitzroy Island (for Great Barrier Reef) and Daintree Rainforest

ContractQuestion · 08/07/2023 11:08

We're hoping to go to Melbourne in July next year to avoid the heat 😂 (and school holidays..)

toomuchlaundry · 08/07/2023 11:09

See my above post, we went in January, so destination choice might differ for different time of year

Original poster
Summersoul · 08/07/2023 12:23

Thanks everyone
3 weeks is a max as I can't have anymore time off work. Initially thinking sydney for a few days then fly to Queensland so just 2 main places

OP posts:
TwoLittleDucks22 · 08/07/2023 12:24

I'd go to two locations tops if you are going for three weeks otherwise you are going to spend two much of your time travelling. So Sydney and one other place and I'd do somewhere in Queensland as it's winter. Unless you want to go to the NT.

I never have a stopover, I just like to get on with it.

Rainbowqueeen · 08/07/2023 12:35

Qantas does a direct flight to Perth (17 hours) and then you could head west from there.

I would have a week in Sydney then fly to the Sunshine Coast and if you want to go to the reef go to lady Elliot island or heron island. Both islands you can snorkel straight off the beach. Every time you get in the water there are turtles to swim with. They book up fast though

Then the last place I’d go to would be Uluṟu or Darwin.

2bazookas · 08/07/2023 12:39

Singapore is a good spot for a few days restful stopover; very clean and safe compared with Bangkok; much more interesting than Dubai.
Emirates are our favourite airline.

Australia is HUGE, in three weeks you'll barely scratch the surface so think hard what you'd like to see/do.

I recommend booking through Trailfinders who can give you excellent itinerary advice/suggestions and book a foolproof tailormade trip.

If youprefer to DIY, I've found Dial a Flight prices and service good.

Take ice-towels. You will probably want to erect a small statue in my honour for that tip.

25rainydays · 08/07/2023 12:43

Don’t underestimate how short the days will be in July, dark from about 5pm. It’s really not a good time of year to go. Even if the weather is not really cold like winter here, the short dark days in July are not ideal.
That said, if you definitely want to go then, I’d fly direct to Perth with Qantas and stop there for a few days before flying on to Sydney or the Gold Coast. Perth is an amazing city, beautiful beaches & Rottnest Island is truly special .
the Blue Mountains at that time of year will be cold and possibly wet.

Missedmytoe · 08/07/2023 12:45

Uluru is well worth a visit, and if you have time/ money, Coober Pedy for the underground houses and the opals.
Plenty to do and see in and around Sydney, Blue Mountains are amazing, as is the coast.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 08/07/2023 12:47

Don’t underestimate how short the days will be in July, dark from about 5pm. It’s really not a good time of year to go. Even if the weather is not really cold like winter here, the short dark days in July are not ideal

When DM was alive I'd go there in September for her birthday. She lived in Queensland and QLD in September is just right temperature wise. Not chilly and wet and not too hot and humid.

Remaker · 08/07/2023 12:59

I live in Sydney. I would spend time in Sydney and the Blue Mountains (gorgeous in winter). Then head as far north as you can for warm weather. Port Douglas in far North Queensland is lovely and from there you can explore the rainforest and the reef. Darwin is also worth a a visit if you have time. With only 3 weeks I wouldn’t bother with a stopover. We only do them if we’re away for 4 weeks and want some warm weather on the way back. North Qld will be lovely and warm.

Be aware that most of Australia has 2 weeks of school holidays in July - we are currently halfway through ours in NSW. Everything will be more crowded and expensive then so I’d recommend avoiding them if you can. Different states can have different holidays just to make it more complicated.