Australia/Honeymoon

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Expert: - 3/27/2011


Question
Hello, thanks for taking the time to read my question :)

Me and my fiancé are going to be married in three months, and we both decided we would like to have our honeymoon in Australia. The only problem is, we don't know much about the country. When we pull together as much money as we can, we have a decent budget, although it will leave us a bit short pocketed. We are aiming not to spend TOO much, but we are willing to spend it if it means we have a great time.

Were not sure how long we want to stay. Were thinking maybe a week to two weeks. While there, we want to go to the Great Barrier Reef, thats a must, and were thinking we will probably head to Uluru. Could you suggest any other places that would be nice to go to? It can be anywhere in the country, and if possible could you name a good wildlife park we could go to (Fiancé really wants to see a Koala and a Kangaroo, and the travel agents in our area are hopeless). Thanks for all the help, any answer is appreciated :)

Joey

Answer

Sunset reflections
First of all, you haven't mentioned what you're interested in outside of looking at the reef and Uluru.  Not much good sending you to a rainforest if you want to be in the desert!
So, I'll keep to general tips and hope it helps.
First up, don't even think about coming if it's not for a fortnight.  
Secondly, have you checked out the distances between where you'll land (assuming Sydney), the Barrier Reef and Uluru?
When I suggest an itinerary of just two weeks it usually doesn't include either of your main attractions because of the distances involved.
However, let's assume you land in Sydney and then go to the Barrier Reef (more plane flights).
Since the reef is 2,000 kilometres long I would recommend the lower part; that will then allow you to see more because you'll be closer to other attractions.
If you're interested in beaches, then the north coast of N.S.W. leaves everywhere else for dead.
If you want to check out cities then Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart are the best.
If you want to check out the best tourist state in Australia then you'll be heading for Tasmania.
If you want to go bushwalking then head for the Blue Mountains, Snowy Mountains or rainforest in Northern N.S.W., southern Queensland and Tasmania.
If you like vineyards, the Hunter Valley is hard to beat; the other choices are too far away for your limited time.
Now, I have hundreds of tips and photos on a site called virtualtourist.com.  If you search for "Australia" that will get you into my pages and hopefully give you some ideas.
Hope this helps and let me know if you want more details.
Cheers, Ian Smith

Ian Smith

Expertise

Very good knowledge of N.S.W. from beach to bush to Broken Hill. Have also travelled in a lot in Victoria, Queensland (to Townsville), Tasmania, South Australia and a few weeks in southern W.A. Used to be Hunter Valley Tourist Officer. Contact me for sights to see, not which disco or pub to recommend. Have also spent months in Europe, particularly the following: Italy, Germany, Spain, England, Scotland, Belgium, Holland, Austria and Czech Republic. I am a retiree and have a Winnebago Motorhome which I plan to use over the next few years (and have done some trips already).

Experience

I have surfed, raced motorcycles, ordinary cycles and a bit of fishing through much of the area as well as working there selling 5 days a week. I also have many photographs which I am currently working at putting on the computer. I have an extensive catalogue of where I've travelled at virtualtourist.com under "iandsmith".

Organizations
Hunter Valley Veterans Cycling Club

Publications
REVS, Surfing World, Soccer Weekly, Australian Motor Cycle News, Womens Weekly.

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