jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

We are going in May--will stay a couple of weeks in Cairns to see the great barrier reef and do other excursions. One thing I noticed is that a lot of the reef tours offer rental of underwater cameras. Since I no longer routinely take UW pictures I'm thinking of doing that rather than buying another camera just for that.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

It is down to Sydney. LOL But to answer your question, you don't have enough time to do any shooting. Take something light and easy to use, and have fun with the family.You will be just getting over jet lag and then heading back.

wanderingbear Loc: San Diego

First enjoy. A couple thoughts. 1st Australia is just about the same size as USA. for perspective. You are hanging on the Coast. Inland an I use this for perspective are the Large ranches. What do you think a large ranch in the States is in size say 20,000 Acers?? In Australia the call the ranches Stations and a small one is 1,000,000 Acers or about 100 mioles Square.IF you have the time to get out to Ayers Rock it is worth it. Australia is very divers in many ways. Very Dry deserts in central part, mountains in the North East. Kind of a fun travel log in movies would be to Rent the Original Crocodile Dundee, and you would get a flavor of how remote that North is. The other Classic is The Man from Snowy River, Kirk Douglas plays 2 parts. If you like exciting horse scenes you will love this Movie and If you do there is a sequel of Return to Snowy River.

Bear

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

Cairns is pronounced something like cans but then you will be reminded you are not in Kansas anymore. You are in Oz!
I would suggest venturing North from Cairns. In particular we enjoyed the train ride to Kuranda especially if you are a train nut. I think the Quiksilver excursion out on the Great Barrier Reef went out of Port Douglas, it has been 20 years since I was there. We also took a four wheeler drive North of the Daintree which was really neat and unsettled. Unless "civilization" has crept up there. You can't miss! Don't get eaten by a crock.

stevenh0027 Loc: Melbourne Australia

In Sydney can I suggest that you catch the ferry to Manly (from Circular Quay). It will take you all the way to the Heads (opening of Sydney Harbour to the ocean). A short walk through the mall in Manly and you will be at the beach. The ferry ride is lovely with lots of opportunities to take water shots.
A great ride during the day or night.

gary northrop

We recently spent a month Down Under. One of our favorite spots was the largest Sydney Zoo. Many of the animals are out in the open.

Texcaster Loc: Queensland

If you can find a pub that serves a great meat pie with chips and gravy let me know. A place can get a reputation for a good pie and then 9 months later it's just ordinary. I'm always on the hunt.

mtcoothaman Loc: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

As an Australian living in Brisbane ( roughly midway between Cairns and Sydney) I offer my two bits worth;

- Re Cairns . A tropical city, nothing special, but is a good base for tourist activity. There would be heaps of options eg day trips to the reef, Green Island, Daintree forest, Atherton tableland ( behind Cairns) all of which would give lots of photo ops. I suggest you visit some internet sites for more detail.

- re Sydney. The harbour area, Harbour Bridge and Opera house are magnificent and lots of ops. The old Rocks area is not far away. Early cottages and buildings but a bit touristy. I suggest a return ferry trip to Manly to view the harbour from the water is a must. The ferry leaves from Circular Quay ( a transport hub ) just to the west of the Opera House. A zoo may not be your thing but the Taronga Zoo is on the north side of the harbour and occupies some of the best real estate in Sydney and has magnificent views to the city, harbour etc. A ferry also goes to Taronga Park but you have to walk up the hill from the ferry stop. If you want to see the eastern suburbs, and have general look around etc there is a touristy bus that ambles out to Bondi beach and return ( it would kill most of day as you can hop on and of as I recall ). You may also wish to go to the Blue Mountains ( Katoomba ) which are about 1.5 hours inland ( bus tour preferred I think ). Once again I suggest there are lots of internet sites.

July weather should be good - sunny and neither hot nor cold but no guarantees! ( we are just about to experience heavy rain from a cyclone that smashed into the cost abou1000km north of here yesterday! lots of damage. )

The natives are friendly and you should have a good time. Some Hoggers probably had R&R from Vietnam in Sydney in the 1970s and may remember it but Kings Cross ( bars, night clubs etc ) may have been their focus then ? Your call but I sense not for you, especially with young daughter.)

I hope this helps. Maybe our Sydney hoggers can comment too.

stevenh0027 Loc: Melbourne Australia

Also, for a unique Aussie experience - try to go to an AFL (Australian Football League) game.
Tickets are only about A$25 each and it is a unique experience - closest thing to it for speed, aggression, physicality and excitement in my opinion is ice hockey.
There are two teams based in Sydney and games are usually played on weekends.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

http://www.bestproducts.com/tech/electronics/news/g858/best-waterproof-cameras/?slide=1
Take one camera that will do it all. The Nikon Coolpix AW130 looks hard to beat.
Although you'll likely NOT be diving to 100 feet, it's always good to have a little room for error.

sandgroper Loc: WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Someone mentioned the Taronga Zoo in Sydney. Great for a visit and you can also stay there overnight in a fancy tent (we call it Glamping). Be prepared to pay dearly as the name suggests!

Michel5arc

My daughter lives in Sydney and I have made 10 trips. Here are some comments. The bridge climb has restrictions. First of all you have to make some pre checks. You have to go sign up to get scheduled for a climb. Prior to your climb they will give you a breathalizer test. You will be fitted for a jump suit and you cannot take anything to the top. They tour will take you photo for a price. Before I forget the last time I was in Sydney (2016) the cost to climb the bridge was 120 dollar AU. You do have another option. The pylon on the southern part of the bridge has an observation deck. It is a short climb to reach it and you can get some very good photos of the harbor area.

Right next to the Opera House is the Royal Botanical Gardens. Great place for photos of flowers etc. Hyde Park in the center area of downtown Sydney and another great area for photos. In the park is the ANZAC Memorial that honors the troops who fought in WW I. Again great photo opportunities. Darling Harbor great place for photos and to dine. There is a small zoo located there and also a Madame Tussoud's exhibit. The Marinetine Museum is located there and so is A Hard Rock Café.

The amusement park, Luna Park, mentioned in another reply is in North Sydney and can be reached by train, harbor taxi or city taxi. However, if you are going in July you are in the middle of winter and the Park maybe closed. The weather during the day is normally partly cloudy and at times raining, with temps in the low 60's during the day and can drop into the 30's in the evening. It will be to chilly to go swimming but you can still by the beaches - good views and good photo ops. I could gone but I don't want to over load.

Michel5arc

My daughter lives in Sydney and I have made 10 trips. Here are some comments. The bridge climb has restrictions. First of all you have to make some pre checks. You have to go sign up to get scheduled for a climb. Prior to your climb they will give you a breathalizer test. You will be fitted for a jump suit and you cannot take anything to the top. They tour will take you photo for a price. Before I forget the last time I was in Sydney (2016) the cost to climb the bridge was 120 dollar AU. You do have another option. The pylon on the southern part of the bridge has an observation deck. It is a short climb to reach it and you can get some very good photos of the harbor area.

Right next to the Opera House is the Royal Botanical Gardens. Great place for photos of flowers etc. Hyde Park in the center area of downtown Sydney and another great area for photos. In the park is the ANZAC Memorial that honors the troops who fought in WW I. Again great photo opportunities. Darling Harbor great place for photos and to dine. There is a small zoo located there and also a Madame Tussoud's exhibit. The Marinetine Museum is located there and so is A Hard Rock Café.

The amusement park, Luna Park, mentioned in another reply is in North Sydney and can be reached by train, harbor taxi or city taxi. However, if you are going in July you are in the middle of winter and the Park maybe closed. The weather during the day is normally partly cloudy and at times raining, with temps in the low 60's during the day and can drop into the 30's in the evening. It will be to chilly to go swimming but you can still by the beaches - good views and good photo ops. I could gone but I don't want to over load.

woodworker2012

Kewl great info, if there is more I would like to hear if you have time. The data I pulled for temps ranged over a 5-year period, was thinking the average would be 70-75. Oh well