Hi Mrs H

The first thing you must not go swimming in north QLD that time of year you are going as it is stinger time they are the box jelley fish and if they sting you it can be life and death or a very sore part where they sting
OK getting that out of the way Airlie Beach you will have to take day trips to the Whitsunday Islands to see much these islands have resorts on them all have different things to see Hamilton Island is one of the main islands and the others are much the same
Cairns has a lot more to see and do you can get out to the reef from there and see better coral and you have the hills at the back of Cairns to take day trips
There is a rail trip up to Kuranda a little town in the hills they have markets there and you take the chair lift down over the hills to where buses are waiting to take you back to Cairns or you can take train back down
A day trip to Port Douglas is also good and also a trip to the Daintree rain forest it is world heritage is good
At that time of year you are going is the wet time up there it will be hot humid and it can be wet so if you want atrip to the reef get a fine day to go they will not go if it is stormy
There is also the Tjapukai Aborigal cultural park they have sound and light show it is very good to see
My pick of the time you have would be Cairns as you most likely will get wet days and you will find more to do there
if you want any more info just ask what other parts of Aus. you going to
Chubby

Hi Chubby, thank you for your reply and your warning about the stingers. Does sound like there is plenty to keep us occupied in Cairns area, quite different things too. Would definately want a trip to the reef, would we need to book this in advance?

We are starting off in Sydney primarily for New Year's Eve - something we have wanted to do for years, I need to find out if we need street passes for this, we also hope to visit the Blue Mountain area. We are then travelling to Uluru before going Cairns. If you or anyone has any advice on these areas too would be pleased to hear. Thanks.

do take the trip up to Kuranda when in cairns, we took the cable car up, with many stops along the route to get off and walk in the tree tops and the train back.

when at Uluru take the sights and sounds trip into the outbacck to watch the sun go down over uluru.

Hi Mrs h

At the time of year you are going it might pay to book all you want in advance I will give you some web sites that will help you
For accommodation
http://www.hotelclub.net

For tours of Uluru and The Blue Mountains
http://www.aatkings.com.au
http://www.aptouring.com.au

To get to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns
http://www.quicksilver-cruises.com

For the best places to see the fire works in Sydney
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye

Yes the sound and light show at Uluru is very good I my self have never seen the Sydney fire works only on tv they do look good to see
if you want any more info just ask
chubby

Some very useful information there Chubby, Thank you very much.