I was in Australia and New Zealand this past winter for a little over 3 week. Loved every minute of it and wished I had more time due to the distance between the sights.</p>
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Melbourne ---- There for 2 days, one day was Christmas so not much open. </p>
--- Melbourne is a large city and sorta like Miami minus South Beach. </p>
--- I did dig the open air zoo (killing time on Christmas day while waiting for other people). </p>
--- The Centre for the Moving Image was kind of modern artsy cool. </p>
--- Degraves Street is kind of a neat walk to kill an afternoon.</p>
--- Beyond that, there are plenty of metropolitan things to do, so you will not be lost for time. </p>
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Sydney --- Spent 6 days there. </p>
--- Much more laid back than Melbourne (which is laid back). </p>
--- Easy to walk around if you want to as it is not too big (thought I am a big walker over cabs anyway). </p>
--- Obviously see the Orchestra Shell. </p>
--- The Bridge Climb is a little expensive, but I thought worth it to get a great view of the city and surrounding area. It is also very easy, and the tour guides have a ton of info. We did the sunset tour to get the "romantic shot"</p>
--- Take a water taxi to get a view of the city from the inlet, and it is cheaper than one of the tours. You can get to the ferrys from the Circular Quay which has something to do around there as well.</p>
--- The QVB has some old world Victorian charm if you need to kill time or want to get some souvies.</p>
--- Hyde Park is worth a visit.</p>
--- Blue Hills were ok, but I don't think it was worth the time to get there if you have limited time.</p>
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Ayers Rock (if you can get there) --- One of the most sacred Aboriginal sites, and one that you can visit. Neat tour and some of the oldest exposed rock on this Earth. </p>
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Port Douglas (if you can get there) --- Outstanding Jungle Forest with some of the oldest plants in the world. Can also get to a nice, and well controlled, spot on the Great Barrier Reef.</p>
