Travel
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Australia/GBR Suggestions
We are tentatively planning a week in Australia for mid August. I know a week is short for a place to see so many things. We aren't going to try and "see it all". Hopefully we will return again 
As of now, I am thinking 3-4 days or so in the Melbourne/Victoria area and driving the Great Ocean Road. Then heading over to Cairns to explore the GBR for 3 days. What do you think? The weather seems to be cool in Melbourne (which is what we are looking for) and warm and dry in Cairns. Any tips? TIA!!
Re: Australia/GBR Suggestions
It's about a 3.5 hour flight between Melbourne and Cairns. So, with adding in time in the airport and what not, you'll have one full day that is gone. We're heading to the GBR in August and staying at Lizard Island, which is accessible via Cairns. However, I'm only flying there from Gladstone. We're also staying at Heron Island and getting married on Wilson Island. I'm not sure what your budget is, but I'd try to find something that's more easily accessible from Melbourne or Sydney. Maybe something alnog the Whitsundays? Or even Heron? I know it won't be as warm as Cairns, but it's a little less travel time.
Our wedding on Wilson Island!
We honeymooned in Australia in November!
Melbourne is beautiful and I would definitely pick it over Sydney any day. If you're into Asian-fusion food and cocktails go to Cookie - it was my favorite restaurant from the whole trip and we ate out every night.
I would highly recommend taking a trip to the Yarra Valley, Melbourne's wine country. It's about 45 minutes outside of the city and it's spectacular. Melbourne is a hard city to navigate so if you do get a car get GPS and watch for those hook turns.
The Great Ocean Road can be a tedious drive. Most of it is very scenic but the Twelve Apostles are very touristy so there are always huge tour buses on the route. If you do drive it I would recommend making a pit stop in Apollo Bay, it's a charming little seaside town.
As far as Cairns go, the downtown area is very gaudy and filled with hostels. Think Venice, CA or Miami. If you're a diver or a snorkeler I would spend most of my time in the water or travel to the beaches north of Cairns like Palm Cove.
Our dive master took us to a funky little "Mexican" restaurant called the Green Ant Canteen, apparently Keanu Reeves goes there every time he's in Cairns. Also, we had pretty good burgers at a place called Grill'd - note that Australians put beets on their burgers. Above all, Cairns is ridiculously laid back so don't be surprised if service is slow - they're on "island" time.
Have a wonderful time, I can't wait to go back to Oz!
I'd skip Melborne and go to Sydney, it's my favorite place in the world so far. I was in Melborne in August and it was freezing, Melborne to me was nothing special.
Melbourne has a very European feel, Sydney has all the main picturesque sites, it depends what your looking for.
In terms of the GBR there are many different options. You can check out my blog posts here
I live southeast of Melbourne, so I am a bit biased as to its value as a tourist location. August to me is the best time to come -- it's just coming out of the worst of winter and usually has nice days, and there aren't too many people here. If you come, I'd definitely think about a day trip to Healesville Animal Sanctuary. You can also do a day trip to Phillip Island and see the Nobbies (a very large seal colony) and the Penguin Parade, as well as the Koala sanctuary.
One week is not a lot of time, especially if you are spending the better part of two days traveling from one end of the country to the other. I'm not trying to talk you out of doing it, just making sure you understand that going from Melbourne to Cairns is like travelling from Houston to Chicago -- it's a cross-country flight, and then you'd be coming back down to Sydney.
I'm with Jessa....
We liked Melbourne more than Sydney. Yarra Valley wine tour was great. Loved Philip Island trip to see the penguin parade. Also enjoyed an Australian rules football game.
Cairns- do not spend any time here accept to get on and off the boat. We did a 3 day live aboard with ProDive. It is a LOT of diving, but so worth it. ProDive had the best prices and we were very happy with our trip. Highly recommended!
tip- eat at pubs if you are on a budget. Most of them had $10 meals that included a drink.