Expert: Ian Smith - 8/20/2004

Question
Dear Jan,
I'm italian and I'm going to visit Australia for the first time, this year in December, along with my brother and sister.
I'll land in Sidney and will stay there for three days, but after I  thought to reach the coral barrier.
Do you believe it's feasible in three weeks? Do you suggest to focus on some place in  particular?
Thanks, ciao
Babi  

Answer
Personally, I would recommend to stay in one state for three weeks.  It never ceases to amaze me how much people drive past or fly over to get to destinations that aren't as good as ones they've just gone past.
Having said that, the coral reef is stunningly colourful.  However, it's a couple of thousand kilometres away from Sydney and you've gone past places like the Hunter Valley Vineyards, Port Stephens, Blue Mountains, Comboyne, north coast of N.S.W. beaches, Forster, South West Rocks etc.
I also think three days in Sydney is cutting it way too short.  You'd want to spend a day in the city, a day on the northern beaches, a day on the harbour and you haven't even seen a museum, art gallery or Bondi Beach yet!
I have a site on "virtualtourist.com" with much more detail plus photographs that will explain what I am trying to say more graphically.
Hope this helps you a little,
Cheers, Ian