Hi,

I liked the Royal Botanics Gardens near the Opera in Sydney, you can also go to Bondi beach or take a boat to Manly beach.

Enjoy,

Z

Hi,

How much time have you got in each city? In Sydney, besides what Zuzana suggested, a trip to the Blue Mountains (World Heritage listed) is worthwhile. You can take a train or a bus from the city. Takes about 2 hours each way, so it's at least a full day trip. The Three Sisters (rock formation) are a popular destination with quite stunning views; there are also lots of walks - take enough water if you are there in Summer...

Other beautiful beaches are the "Northern Beaches", Palm Beach being my preferred. 

Also, check out suggestions under "7 days in Sydney", for instance:

http://7daysinsydney.wordpress.com/about/

Have fun!

N

and if you get to go to Melbourne, a trip down Great Ocean Road is a must - past some of the best surf beaches around - Jan Juc, Bells beach, and eventually you'll end up in Lorne!! not to forget he best latte's in Melbourne .. then again I'd have to say that.

Sydney - even if you don't go anywhere take a ferry ride from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour to get on the water for some fantastic, iconic views.  As above, if you do go somewhere, Manly is pretty nice.  Definately get into the Blue Mountains which are lovely and may offer a bit of cool v's the city heat.  There is classic steam train up there which maybe running if that's your kind of thing?!  Magic.  Cairns - don't go swimming in river estuaries!! Have a great time.

In Cairns you should book a visit in Tjapukai http://www.tjapukai.com.au/ and perhaps go to   Kuranda http://www.ksr.com.au/Pages/Default.aspx and Cairns it self is .. good for parties :) and parties and maybe botanical garden. If you're going to stay In Cairns area longer its good as well to take a trip to Chillagoe cool caves/sleeping under the sky with ants roos and all what you may find in  the outback :P http://www.chillagoehub.com.au/

Have fun and definately stop at Woolshed!!! http://www.thewoolshed.com.au/

THanks David! I wrote down all the ideas, but I have now one question, though I am not planning on doing that: why not swimming in river estuaries? In caseof flooding?

BTW, maybe the time is not the best, but we are going for 3 weeks at the begining of January (maybe high season?). Will be spending 7 days in Melbourne, 4 in Sydney, 6-7 in CAirns and then back to Melbourne for coming home... I am just worried about the long flight and the small flights with Jetstar inside the country. Not to mention about the jelly fishes...

THanks a lot everyone!

HI Apacat,

I'm from Aus (born in Melbourne and have been living in Queensland(Brisbane) for 14 years). As far as Peak season, yes Jan is our peak season as it's our summer. However the weather has been a bit unusual this year. It's been raining quite a lot all over the country, hopefully it goes by the time you go there.. Mebourne and Victoria is a wonderful place, lovely shopping, quirky coffee shops and some of the best view's of Australia ruggedness (The Ocean Road).  As mentioned a must in Sydney is Bondi Beach, Cirqular Quay and take a ferry to even the north like Mainly. Very beautiful!! 

As for Cairns and Jelly fish!! If you go out in the best there is always warnings on the danger of jelly fish. Some places make you wear protective swimming suites, and there are nets as well. Cairns is very beautiful I would recommend doing a cruise out to the reef and near by islands, some of the most beautiful oceans in the world. Clear blue water!! 

As for the flying, if you try sleep on the flight over you should be right with jetlag. But drink as much water and try get into the time change asap to minimize the effects. Jetstar is a quite good low-cost carrier. Like any airline there is always delays etc sometimes beyond there control.

If there is anything else you would like to know please ask :)

as for not swimming in rivers - crocodiles sometimes like to call them home!! So it's always safer to swim at patrolled (lifeguarded)beaches..

Just reading that you're in Sydney for only 4 days, but here's nevertheless an alternative to the more known places.

Port Stephens is about a 3 hours' drive north of Sydney. Lots of water activities to be had. I spent a few days there and rented a small sailing boat - although we remained within the bay (sorry, can't remember which beach we sailed from - may have been Shoal Bay Beach) we were surrounded by dolphins - absolutely magic!

You can also book a dolphin & whale watching cruise. Though it's the wrong time of year for whales, certainly for Humpback Whales. They migrate South in Spring (October)

http://www.portstephens.org.au/

N