[Travel] Family holiday to Australia - Queensland or Western Australia?

Brian Parsons said:

While in Sydney take the train to Katoomba and see the Three Sisters. It's mind blowing. The journey is amazing as well. Get an Opal travel card also very cheap.

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StonehamPark said:

Fly to Sydney, spend 4-5 days there (personally, I didn't like the place and wouldn't spend more than 2 days there), rent a camper and work your way up to Port Douglas/Cape Tribulation over the month.

Some spots to stop-over: Byron Bay, Noosa, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Hervey Bay, Agnes Water/1770, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Cairns, Port Douglas and finally Cape Trib.

Enjoy!

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wellquickwoody said:

Good post. In August Melbourne will not be at its best, and nor will Perth. Sydney should be done as the weather will be better, for a great trip, great weather even better than summer maybe, head to Queensland, perfect!

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Audax said:

then get yourself out west of the city into the Blue Mountains (except their not mountains).

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trueblue said:

With kids, I’d definitely favour Queensland simply because there’s so much to do with relatively smaller distances in between (There are still some longish treks but not several hours of desert driving without seeing anyone). I’ve seen a fair amount of Australia across several trips - and, particularly in the winter when it’s better weather-wise to get further north - that coast offers some unforgettable stops. Off the top of my head, check out Tangalooma near Brisbane where staying in the island resort (not ridiculously expensive) allows you to hand-feed wild dolphins. Check out whale watching in Hervey Bay & a 4WD trip to the incredible Fraser Island. Try to get out sailing and snorkelling in the Whitsunday Islands from Airlie Beacb area. Further north, trek up the hill in Townsville for great views and zip across to Magnetic Island where you could ask a local to show you the butterfly forest. Around Mission Beach there’s a good chance of coming face to face with an endangered and spectacular Cassowary. In Cairns, you’ll find all the things you’d expect of a vibrant backpacker town - pubs, clubs etc - and thrills nearby like white water rafting. The waterfall circuit is a more sedate and scenic day out. You can take the steam train or cable car to the mountain village of Kuranda - and head to the Outer Barrier Reef, preferably from Port Douglas. Beyond that, but not too far, cross the Daintree River to enter the rainforest. Night-time walks are great for wildlife (in the right season) and, from a bit more of a safe distance, a cheap boat trip will bring you just close enough to massive crocs at Coopers Creek. There are other 4WD trips available beyond Cape Tribulation to the likes of Cooktown.

Yes, it’s more commercialised than WA (although admittedly it’s several decades since I was over there) and perhaps not as genuinely ‘Aussie’ as the likes of Darwin and Kakadu, but for a family holiday of a lifetime, hard to beat. The volume of backpackers might seem a bit of a curse but it does mean there are a wealth of options when it comes to guided tours etc and those smaller groups tend to be by far the most enjoyable.

If you really want to experience the vastness of the country, there’s always the option of a side trip (return flight to Alice Springs, organised tour to Kings Canyon & Ayers Rock) but that’s admittedly pretty expensive. But worth it.

Have fun. I’m envious!

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Stumpy Tim said:

I like a man who defends his town. Even a sh*t one like Adelaide.

The fact that you prefer Brisbane & Perth (which is the worst of the bunch), suggests you prefer the smaller towns and cities which is fair enough I guess. My problem with Melbourne is that it is desperate to be seen as a European-type city. Well I live in Europe, so don't want to travel round the world to go to a fake (and bit sh*t) version of Europe. That's probably why I loved Sydney and spent eight years there - and is my Brexit back-up plan

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