What to do in Brisbane/Melbourne/Sydney?

Konata

Hey all,

So myself and my boyfriend have just booked flights to Australia for just over a month in July. We're flying into and leaving from Brisbane. He has family there who we will be staying with for a while and are our main reason for heading over there!

Now, my only issue is that I haven't the faintest idea about anything to do with Australia really I'm really excited to go but I want to make the most of my time there! I've been having a browse around the net but I'm still not sure about what the "must do" things are in Brisbane/surrounding areas. We'll most likely be taking some time to ourselves to travel aswell - looking at the map the next big cities are Melbourne, then Sydney but again, I don't know what would be worth doing/going to!

So basically, I'm looking for any advice or recommendations/ideas at all. The only thing I know I really want to do is to hold a koala bear I saw a photo of a friend doing that and I'd love to do it too! Any advice for where would be good to do that would also be appreciated :P

csm

http://www.koala.net/index.php/home-mainmenu-1/index.php

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane for holding koalas, so that'll be that box ticked. There isn't a huge amount to do here to be honest but South Bank is nice. Head to the beaches maybe (an hours drive). There are some good dives around if you're into that. The weather will be good in July (dry/sunny) but it'll be chilly once the sun goes down. Your fellas family will give you tips.

As for Melbourne and Sydney there is lots to do and its down to your own interests really. What do you like to do on holiday? Chill on the beach? Adventure sports? Sight-seeing? Clubbing?

Bear in mind it'll be pretty cold/rainy in Melbourne that time of year. Ditto Sydney really.

Konata

Oh thanks, that place looks awesome!

We'd be into sight seeing mainly and just wandering around checking out nice places. Not mad into clubbing/going out or adventure sports.

Shoe Lover

Brisbane:
Climb Story Bridge (if you don't mind heights) - we did this and himself loved it, can't say that I did, but I hate heights.
Australia Zoo is good too

Sydney:
Climb the Harbour Bridge,
Go on a day trip to the Blue Mountains,
Go to Bondi/Manly

Melbourne:
Visit the Old Gaol
Go to Federation Square
Take the tour tram around the CBD
Go on a day trip to the Dandenongs

Just some of the things we did. I wish I was going back

Konata

Thanks guys, this is a great help! Gives me some stuff to investigate

karl bracken

Up at Brisbane, theme parks!!!

http://movieworld.myfun.com.au/

http://www.dreamworld.com.au/

http://wetnwild.myfun.com.au/

there about an hour south of Brisbane and the another 45 mins south to the gold coast.
Surfers paradise (a bunch of beaches) is north of Brisbane.

Sydney:

Bridge climb but its expensive like 180 ish i think
Tarongo Zoo prob 70ish
Darling Harbour is nice and free
Bondi and Coogee are nice beaches and worth a look
The Rocks in the CBD kinda like temple bar at home, shops souvenirs, tourist bars
Blue mountains tour, i was there its grand and all depends on how touristy you are its about an hour and a half away
Hunter valley if you like wine, i havent been there but it has good reviews

Check out:

allthedeals.com.au and you mite get some good offers.

csm

Oh yeah forgot about all the theme parks here!

Surfers paradise is actually at the Gold Coast and is south of Brisbane. The 'Sunshine Coast' is the area north of Brisbane with all the beaches. As a rule of thumb, head north for quieter beaches, head south to the Gold Coast for beaches with a bit more night life.

You could drive the Great Ocean Road outside Melbourne, which is scenic. There are a number of wineries around there too.

I find www.tripadvisor.com to be good for ideas, or just pick up a guide book for a list of the more popular things to do.

karl bracken

Oh yea i always get them beaches mixed up!!

if your flying qantas set up a frequent flyer and ul get loads of points its also free for non Oz NZ residents, not sure about other airlines but we missed loads of point because we didnt know about this

http://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/program/welcome