Australia - Making Committments

I'm now in the process of fleshing out the details of my trip.  Up to now I just made reservations to Sydney and back along with a idea of what I'd like to do when I got there.  I don't know whether to commit and make reservations for the whole 5 weeks or to "go with the flow" as I'm travelling.  So I guess I will take the middle path and commit to the first week and then make further commitments for periods as I go.

So now I have a reservation from Sydney to Cairns arriving at 2:30 pm and reservations for 3 days at Travelers Oasis hostel, getting a Hertz rental, 2 days at Dougies Backpackers, 2 days at On The Wallaby hostel, then back for a day at Travelers Oasis.  During this time I'll try to see the highlights in the area like:

1. The Great Barrier Reef
2. Skyrail/Railway to Kuranda
3. Crocodile farm and other tourist traps
4. Rainforests, lakes, volcano craters, waterfalls, and other sites around the Atherton Tablelands Info  Tablelands Map

After that its likely on to Adelaide.  I should make that airline reservation before I leave.  The local airlines are another situation.  Checked baggage is limited to 44 pounds and costs extra.  Carryon baggage is limited to 22 pounds total.  There are many additional fees and taxes that are tacked on (including seat selection fee, charge card fee, and of course the deteriorating currency exchange rate).

A New Adventure – Australia

I’m getting ready for the next big adventure – a 5 week trip Down Under.  I plan to see the major areas of the country that looked the most interesting to me and contained a lot of photographic opportunities.  The trip begins by leaving Phoenix on September 11 and returning on October 18.  The map below shows the areas I plan to visit.

1. The plan is to fly to Cairns, connecting through Sydney.  I’ll spend about a week there with trips to the Great Barrier Reef, rainforests, and also rent a car to see more of the surroundings.
2. Then fly to Adelaide.  I’ll spend a few days sightseeing there.
3. Then rent a car in Adelaide and drive along the ocean route over to Melbourne.  A lot of sightseeing along the way. Return the rental car in Melbourne and spend a few days sightseeing around the area.
4. Fly to Hobart, Tasmania.  Rent a car and spend a week sightseeing around the island.
5. Fly to Sydney.  Spend a few days seeing the area highlights.  Then fly back to Phoenix.

I had planned to go to Brisbane, but this is optional depending on time available.

Accommodations will be at the many interesting hostels along the way.
I’m excited to get the adventure underway.  I’ll post tales and pics of my travels along the way.  Keep watching for them.