Je voulais vous demander si vous pouviez nous donner quelques tuyaux d'itinéraire et de transport en Australie...
En résumé, on part à 2, début octobre 2010 pour un tour du monde dont la première étape est australienne, on a planifié 2 mois de voyage là-bas.
On arrive à Melbourne et on repart de Sydney (hubs obligent) et on pense faire le trajet (global) suivant:
Melbourne et environs (7 jours)
Canberra
Sydney
Brisbane
Cairns (un mois et demi de Melb à Cairns + 4 jours sur place)
Ayers Rock (avion depuis Cairns) (4 jours dans le coin)
Sydney (avion aussi)
Comme on connait très mal les highlights à voir, je voulais vous demander quels sont les points à ne pas manquer dans ce trajet, si celui-ci est envisageable en 2 mois et quels sont les temps à prévoir entre chaque ville pour les visites?
Vu les distances, on va malheureusement skipper le nord et l'ouest, mais pensez-vous qu'il soit envisageable de passer une semaine en Tasmanie au début de notre trajet?
A côté de cela, on aura un petit budget, et on se demandait quel moyen de transport/hébergement employer:
- Bus + campings/Auberges: le plus éco, mais ne risque-t-on pas de manquer l'intérieur des terres?
- Voiture + campings/AJ dans les villes: cher et sans bcp de rencontres, non?
- La combinaison entre bus sur les trajets plus directs et location de voiture dans les lieux ou le rayonnage vaudrait le coup, mais quels sont les endroits à privilégier?
Nos intérêts c'est de voir du pays, plutôt côté nature, paysages et grande barrière de corail...
le "airpass" de Virgin Blue pour vols intérieurs est très intéressant . Il suffit de planifier les vols AVANT votre arrivée en Australie ou en Nlle Zélande .Une fois sur place , 24 h avant maxi , on peut changer les horaires de vols mais pas les villes . Virgin a aussi des happy hours . Autre low cost :Jetstar ( c'est le low cost de Qantas ).Pour les sites à visiter , la brochure gratuite de Australie à la carte est une mine d'infos .
Comme vous semblez aimer la nature je vous conseillerais de ne pas trop vous attarder dans les villes, car il n'y a pas énormément de choses à voir mais de passer plus de temps "entre les villes" où les paysages sont magnifiques.
Il y a plusieurs itinéraires possibles et comme vous vous en douter c'est plus le budget que le temps qui va définir l'itinéraire.
1ère possibilité :
Melbourne 3/4jours
puis louer une voiture pour faire la Great Ocean Road (Melbourne jusqu'à Adélaïde) ==> 3 jours (1000km environ)
Ensuite prendre L'indian Pacific Train pour aller à Perth (les prix varient énormément en fonction du confort choisis).
Voir toute la côte ouest ==> Perth à Broom. Ne surtout pas manquer Les pinnacles, Monkey Mia (juste un arrêt pour voir les dauphins tôt le matin), et le must : Karijini Parc. Personnellement je l'ai fais en 2semaines mais c'était avec un tour guidé donc seul en louant une voiture je dirais 4semaines.
Vol jusqu'à Darwin (assez cher)
Kakadu parc (il y a d'autres parcs dans la région) 3 jours à 1 semaine
Vol jusqu'à Cairns (grande barrière de Corail et Cap tribulation) : 3 jours
Descente en Bus jusque Airlie Beach (vérifier le prix des avions c'est parfois quasiment le même prix) (1 ou 2 jours)
Croisière dans les withsundays Island (2/3 jours)
Descente en Bus jusque rainbow beach (1jour)
Fraser Island (2 ou 3 jours)
Bus jusque Brisbane (1jour)
Brisbane (1jour)
Vol jusqu'à Sydney
C'est serré mais faisable.
Autre possibilité:
Melbourne + great ocean road en voiture. (1semaine)
Louer un 4x4 pour aller au centre rouge (5à7jours)
Visiter le centre rouge (3/4 jours)
Aller à Darwin (avion) 1 semaine à Darwin + Parc
Vol pour Carins (3semaines pour faire Cairns + la côte jusqu'à brisbane)
Vol de Brisbane à Syndey (1semaine à Sydney)
Planning beaucoup moins chargé.
Pour moi il faut absolument que vous voyez soit le centre rouge soit la côte ouest qui sont tout de même très typique.
Darwin n'est pas forcement obligatoire mais il y a de nombreux parcs donc sympas si vous aimer la nature. Cependant il faut savoir que cela sera le début de la saison des pluies donc il y a de fortes chance qu'il fasse 45° et qu'il pleuve.
Pour les avions les compagnies sont : quantas, virginblue, et jetstar
Pour les bus : greyhound (www.greyhound.com.au) , et premier qui est moins cher car il y a seulement un horaire possible dans la journée mais sinon pas de différence de qualité (www.premierms.com.au)
bonjour, nous partirons pour un TDM en decembre 2010, par curiosité dites moi quel sera votre itinéraire prévu car nous commencerons aussi par L, AUSTRALIE apres ?? Aussi si vous trouvez des truc pour transport gite resto pas chere pourriez vous nous les envoyer.Merci ROLLAND et GINETTE.
D'abord, je vois 1 petit probleme avec un itineraire qui commence debut Octobre a Melbourne et finir par fin novembre/debut decembre a Cairns.... le rainy season/saison de tempetes arrive normalement vers le debut novembre.
http://www.cairnsconnect.com/cairns/climate.php
Aussi, Octobre pour Victoria, le Great Ocean Road, Canberra, est souvent un melange de temperatures plutot froid (vers 12-15 deg C) et 20-25 maximum. Souvent tres froid par nuit si vous allez faire du camping (autre option: les cabins dans les parcs de caravanes. J'ai toujours rencontre plus de gens au parcs de caravan que dans les backpackers, ou la plupart des gens sont les autres voyageurs internationals.
Bon choses a visiter a Victoria: Je recommande Grampians National Parc, a 1h30 de route au nord de Ballarat (qui vaut une visite de 1-2 jours aussi). Otway Ranges (pres de Apollo Bay, sur la Great Ocean Road), Mt Gambier (juste a cote de la frontier SA/Vic, pas loin de la cote, avec ses grottes magnifiques en calcaire, lacs bleu et vert, nature (beaucoup des possums dans un des grottes) et une region tres interessant. Et Melbourne (bien sur)
Pas beaucoup des endroits essentiels pour Canberra, mais un incontournable est le Australian War Memorial (un attraction tres interessant et completement gratuit) et aussi leur Art Gallery (aussi gratuit).
A Cairns: a ne manquez pas: Kuranda avec son Bird World magnifique et jardin de Papillons.
J'ai un liste de 10 choses (sites avec animaux dans la nature de ne pas manquez et top endroits) si vous voulez le voir sur mon carnet de voyage a: kate.kikooboo.com
Je pense que l'idee de prendre un bus (ou un avion) entre les capitals est un bon idee, et puis de louer une voiture pour autour des regions....ca vous evitez de conduire les longues longues trajets (sauf lorsqu'il y a beaucoup des choses a voir, comme la route par la cote entre Melbourne et Sydney, avec des plages magnifiques...mais Octobre ne sera pas la saison pour nager la bas, meme a Sydney.
Happy planning for the rest of your trip.
Kate
Je suis une australienne qui aime la france, et la culture francophone.
J'ai donc repensé un peu la chose (grâce aussi à un peu de temps supplémentaire) et ça pourrait se dérouler ainsi:
- 1er septembre : arrivée à Darwin
- 1er au 7/8 septembre : Darwin et environs, notamment Kakadu
- 9 septembre : départ pour Cairns (bus ou avion)
- 10 au 20 : Cairns et environs
- 20 septembre au 15 octobre : Cairns - Brisbane - Sydney
- 15 octobre au 20 décembre : Nouvelle-Zélande et Fidji ou Cook
- 21 décembre au 2 janvier : Sydney et environs
- 3 janvier au 10 janvier : Sydney - Melbourne (et environs)
- 11 janvier au 15 janvier : great ocean road vers Adelaïde
- 16 janvier au 22 janvier : Adelaïde et environs dont Kangaroo Island
- 22 janvier au 30 janvier : Alice Springs et environs, dont Uluru
- 30 janvier et .... : départ pour l'Asie depuis Alice-springs/Adelaïde ou Darwin selon les coûts
Je ne sais encore pas comment je vais faire le trajet d'Adelaïde vers Alice Springs, le train me parait trop cher, donc bus ou avion...
Que pensez-vous de ce trajet? faisable? pas trop la course? des ajustements à me suggérer selon les destinations?
Et niveau météo/climat ai-je choisi des saisons ou je peux aisément faire de la baignade et voir les sites sans me prendre un cyclone sur le nez?
Bonjour Cedric,
Je pense que c'est vraiment bien arrange maintenant, particulierement selon les saisons (pas de risque de Cyclone comme ca)
Je pense que ton itineraire est un bon balance de temps - pas trop presse, pas trop lent
Pour Adelaide - Alice Springs, je te conseille le bus (Greyhound peut etre) car en avion, vous aller manquer Coober Pedy, qui est un des villages la plus incroyables dans le mode (Village d'opale, ou presque tout le monde habite dans le souterrain) Des photos ici: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/318f9/1ca738/
Kate
Je suis une australienne qui aime la france, et la culture francophone.
Je suis en train de préparer mon tour du monde, qui inclut 2 mois en Australie (2 mois et demi si je reste 1 mois ½ au lieu de 2 en NZ!). Vu que je suis en…
Je pars en Australie dans 3 semaines "seul" (little bit frightenning no?), c-à-d le 22 juillet 2011, Je débarque à Brisbane. Je pensais remonter jusqu'à Cairns…
Nous sommes deux amies (bientôt 30 ans), et avons décidé de partir à la découverte de l'Australie pendant 2 mois, 2 mois et demi. Nous sommes en train de…
Je pars avec mon ami deux mois en Australie au mois de février et de mars... Nous arrivons à l'aéroport de Sydney et nous pensions remonter la côte est jusqu'à…
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the scattered info out there and I'm struggling to organize my solo trip to French Polynesia. I'm all about snorkeling—no hiking for me—so it's all about the water, water, water... I'd love to meet whales (what's the best season?), stay with locals or in budget guesthouses (I'm pretty low-key, no worries about comfort), and most importantly, be as close to the coral reefs as possible (all day long...).
I'm retired, so I've got plenty of time...
If you can help, it would mean the world to me.
Thanks everyone! !
Hi,
I'm planning a trip to this region in November. My initial plan was Adelaide-Darwin by van, but I'm worried about those critters. I'm now considering staying in hotels instead, but for the Red Centre, camping is more practical... if we overlook those pests.
What do you think? Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m reaching out because I’m finally living my dream later this year, and I could really use your advice!
On December 26th, I’m flying to Tahiti, then Moorea, and finally Bora-Bora.
Since I’ll be staying in Bora-Bora for several days, I’d love to take a day trip to another island: either Maupiti or Tahaa-Raiatea (my top picks...).
My issue is that the schedules for getting to Tahaa and then to Raiatea don’t quite work for me. Here are the two options I’ve looked into:
**Option 1: Day trip to Tahaa-Raiatea**
- Morning departure at 7:00 AM to Tahaa from Vaitape (I’ll be staying on a motu, so I need to check if there’s a shuttle connecting the motu to Vaitape early enough).
- Arrival at 8:15 AM in Poutoru, Tahaa. Tour of the island, visit to a vanilla plantation.
- Hire a "private" boat to Raiatea around 12:00–1:00 PM.
- Tour of Raiatea.
- Departure at 4:00 PM from Uturoa (Raiatea) back to Bora-Bora.
**Option 2: Day trip to Maupiti**
- Morning departure from Bora-Bora at 8:30 AM.
- Arrival in Maupiti at 10:05 AM. Visit the island and the motus.
- Return in the evening at 4:00 PM.
My questions:
- Will I have enough time to explore Tahaa-Raiatea from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM?
- Car rental? Bike rental? For all three islands...
- Time lost during rentals?
- Distance between rental shops and the ports where I arrive?
- For Tahaa and Raiatea, should I hire a guide? Would that be better organized, meaning no car rental needed, to save time or explore the island on my own?
- Finally, what do you think of these three islands and their points of interest? Which would you choose between Maupiti and Tahaa-Raiatea?
If you can shed some light on this, I’d be so grateful!!!!!!!
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and advice!
Hello! We’re heading to the Marquesas in July-August and I’d love to know if it’s possible, for a fee, to do a leg of the journey on the Aranui—like from Hiva Oa to Fatu Hiva, or Nuku Hiva to Ua Pou, or even Ua Pou to Ua Huka? Sure, there are shuttles twice a week with Codim connecting these islands, but the schedules won’t be known until two months in advance, and I need to book flights and hotels much earlier than that. So, what’s the best way to handle this?
Looking forward to your replies—thanks in advance!
Elisabeth Marcel
babeth.marcel@yahoo.fr
Hi there,
I’d like to go to French Polynesia.
I found round-trip flights for 650 € with Air Caraïbes.
That seems really cheap—anyone here who can tell me about this airline if you’ve flown with them before?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi everyone. I’ve got a round-trip ticket to Perth for 4 weeks. Is it better to stay on the west coast the whole time?
Or should I grab a round-trip to the east coast?
Or even head over to NZ as well?
Thanks for your tips.
We’re crossing New Zealand next April and we’re wondering which to choose between exploring Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.
The first is more well-known, famous, and popular, a UNESCO natural heritage site, while the second can be just as spectacular—bigger, harder to access, and less touristy.
Thanks for your thoughts!
I’ve blocked out 3 weeks at the end of March/beginning of April, arriving in Sydney and departing from Adelaide while following the coast.
Kangaroo Island is a bit of a question mark for me. If I go, I can dedicate 2.5 days to it. Is it worth the time and the cost? I’ve read plenty of travel journals highlighting the landscapes and wildlife, but I’m sure I’ll see plenty of that along my route anyway. I’m not factoring in the financial side (which isn’t negligible for KI), but I’d rather not be disappointed. What are the real added values of KI, especially since the island has been affected by fires? I’ve also come across people online calling it a tourist trap. For example, I ruled out Phillip Island because it felt too organized and structured. Sorry if I’m opening Pandora’s box here!
Hi! I just spent a month in New Caledonia (backpacking/tent) and I know some of you were looking for info on accommodations and itineraries, so feel free to reach out if you want me to share my little experience. Just to say—New Caledonia is AMAZING!!!
Hi there,
I just got back from two weeks in Fiji, and I noticed the forum discussions here are a bit outdated (the most recent ones are from 2017).
So feel free to ask if you'd like an update!
Hi,
I’m heading to Viti Levu, the main island, for a few days’ vacation.
I usually rent a two-wheeler to keep some independence.
On several forums, people advised against it—first because it’s not really the local culture, and also because of the road conditions and local driving habits.
But I’m a bit wary of English-language forums where the typical vacation is just airport-resort-airport with a taxi in between.
Can you confirm if it’s really that risky compared to, say, Southeast Asia? What are the alternatives? Buses, taxis?
Thanks!
I’m planning and budgeting a trip to Australia for August 2026, lasting 40 days.
Here’s the current itinerary:
Arrival at Port Macquarie Airport in New South Wales and return from Cairns Airport in Queensland.
- South West Rock
- Cap Ridge Park
- Springbrook Park
- Stradbroke Island
- Maleny
- Noosa
- Rainbow Beach
- K’Gari
- Gladstone
- Heron Island
- Airlie Beach
- Townsville
- Magnetic Island
- Cairns
- Cape Tribulation
My main issue is transport to cover all of this.
The first leg is already tricky—I haven’t found a way to rent a car in Port Macquarie and drop it off in South West Rock.
And if we keep the vehicle until Cleveland (8 days) before taking the ferry to Stradbroke Island, it’s already around 1000 €.
- Are there any systems where we could buy a vehicle in Port Macquarie and be sure it’s bought back at the end of the trip in Cairns?
- Do you know of any Australian online car rental sites?
As for trains, they’re not really an option for our stay in New South Wales.
In Queensland, I found the Queensland Rail Travel website with a Brisbane–Cairns line, but trains don’t run every day.
- Do you know of any other train companies in Queensland that connect coastal cities from Brisbane to Cairns?
For flights, I checked Queensland with Qantas, and most routes require a stopover in Brisbane, which wastes a lot of time, and the prices are still high.
Do you know of any low-cost airlines for domestic flights in Australia?
2025 is shaping up to be amazing, as I’m lucky enough to be planning a 6-week trip to Polynesia.
I wanted to buy the *Guide du Routard* (my favorite), but I discovered there isn’t one for this destination. And the *Lonely Planet* is from 2022, which I feel is already a bit outdated.
So I’m looking for other resources: in your opinion, what’s the best paper guide, and most importantly, what online resources have you used to prepare a trip to Polynesia?
My wife, our 3-year-old son, and I are planning a trip along Australia’s East Coast, leaving in early October and returning in mid-November. The plan is to do a 4-week road trip in a campervan, then settle down for about ten days.
The question I’m asking myself is: which way should we go? From Sydney to Cairns or the other way around? Despite all the documentation I’ve read, I’m still struggling to decide the best direction based on the climate at that time and swimming conditions.
Up north, the weather will be warmer, and the water too, unlike the south. However, in the north, there are swimming restrictions, especially because of jellyfish, whereas in the south, there seems to be less danger (apart from sharks, maybe). Are there many protected beaches in the north where we can swim safely?
Also, I should consider that in the south, the Great Barrier Reef no longer protects the beaches, so I imagine there are fewer calm spots for swimming?
I’d love any tips or advice you can share, and thanks in advance!
Hi there,
for a 6-month trip to Australia and NZ starting in NOVEMBER, I’d like to visit PNG and the Solomon Islands. Has anyone already explored these two countries?
How can you travel solo there—transport, accommodation, banking, safety—and what’s the best way to get there from AUS?
Thanks for any tips! Are there any French-language sites about these destinations?
Cheers,
jps
Hi there,
I’m leaving on March 4th for Australia from Réunion Island, landing in Perth, then a road trip down to Melbourne before flying out to Vietnam on April 15th.
I’d like to visit Perth and the surrounding area, then head southwest to Margaret River, Albany, Esperance, and back to Perth to catch a flight to Adelaide. From there, I’ll make my way to Melbourne.
1/ What do you think of this itinerary?
2/ For flights, are there any domestic airlines worth prioritizing for good prices?
3/ I’m planning to rent a car after exploring Perth and the area—I’m traveling solo. Any rental companies you’d recommend, as well as nice hotels, B&Bs, or hostels?
4/ Any tips, good deals, or info are welcome—don’t hesitate to share!
Thanks in advance.
I’m planning a solo trip from April 16th to June 2nd!
I have to work for 3 weeks in Papeete when I arrive in French Polynesia, so I can only explore on the weekends (3-day weekends). For my first weekend, I’ll visit Tahiti; my second weekend will be dedicated to Moorea, and the last weekend to Huahine.
After my work period, I’ll continue with my vacation and keep exploring:
Maupiti - 4 nights
Raiatea - 3 nights (including a day trip to Tahaa)
Bora Bora - 3 nights
Rangiroa - 4 nights (could do 3)
Tikehau - 2 nights (could do 3)
Fakarava - 3 nights
For activities, I’m mostly interested in discovering the islands, hiking, and observing wildlife.
I’m not a diver, but I plan to do a beginner’s dive once I’m there. I love snorkeling, though, and I’m wondering if I’m spending too much time in the Tuamotus, which are famous for diving from what I’ve seen.
For travel between the islands, I’ve already looked into the Bora Tuamotu Max pass, which seems like the best option, but I’d love advice on replacing it with one or more ferries.
What do you think? I’m struggling to finalize my itinerary.
We’ll be in Adelaide from February 24th to March 4th and we’d like to spend 3 days and 2 nights on Kangaroo Island.
Any recommendations?
We always travel with simple accommodations
Hi everyone, we're heading to Australia next month. We have 7 days to go from Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road. Should we visit Kangaroo Island or not? We can't decide! Thanks for your advice.
We really want to see kangaroos and koalas in their natural habitat.
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to NZ at the end of January.
It’s peak season—do you think it’s necessary to book activities in advance (like a cruise to Milford Sound), or is it not essential?
Thanks
We’ll be in New Zealand starting March 15th. We’re considering renting a car from Christchurch to Auckland. We’ve read that a lot of ferries have been canceled—is that true? Would it be better to rent one car in the South Island and another in the North Island? Thanks, and happy New Year!
Hi,
When I hear our French friends talk about them, they’re the most beautiful islands in the world.
For those of you who’ve traveled extensively, is that really the case?
Are the prices for accommodation, even basic ones, justified? Isn’t a room in a family-run guesthouse at 150/200 € a bit much?
Are there other islands in Polynesia (non-French) that are just as "paradise-like" but more affordable?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Hi everyone,
A quick introduction. I'm 27, I live in Picardy, and I'm getting married in 2017. We'd like to spend our honeymoon in French Polynesia for 3 weeks.
I'm open to all kinds of advice!!!
I think we'll use a travel agency because our work schedules don't leave us much time to organize the trip... Unless I change my mind! ;-)
But we don’t want our trip to turn into tourist clichés—we really don’t like that. That said, we *do* want to see those postcard-perfect beaches and landscapes!
We don’t dive, but I think we’ll try a beginner’s dive, and maybe even get our Level 1 certification, depending on how it goes (I read some comments about it on this forum).
Anyway, I’m looking for any information and internet links to make this trip a success.
This is THE trip of a lifetime, and it has to be perfect!
Thanks for your help!
I’m also checking out the different threads about Polynesia on this forum ;-)
Hi everyone,
What great news to read that Voyage Forum is back up and running—I’m so happy! 🙂 I need some advice for a trip we’re planning in 2025: New Caledonia and Australia.
We’ll arrive in Australia on September 1, 2025, and the plan is to spend 2 nights in Melbourne to explore the city, then rent a car to drive from Melbourne to Sydney, where we’ll arrive on September 12. Unfortunately, we won’t have time for the Great Ocean Road
I’ve checked several blogs for this route and here’s the itinerary I’ve put together:
9/4: Melbourne to Philip Island (140 km) – 1 night
9/5: Philip Island to Wilsons Promontory National Park – 2 nights
9/7: Raymond Island (free ferry to cross a 200 m sea channel) – Lakes Entrance – 1 night
9/8: Drive to Narooma (stop at Quarry Beach) – 1 night at "Bodalla Park Forest Rest Area"
9/9: Batemans Bay – Pebbly Beach – Dolphin Point – Jervis Bay – 1 night (to be found)
9/10: Jervis Bay and surroundings – 1 night at Bendeela Picnic Area
9/11: Blue Mountains National Park (1 hour from Sydney) – 1 night (to be found)
9/12: Arrival in Sydney
I know we won’t be able to see everything, and this 9-day route is just a starting point. The goal is to avoid rushing—if we see a place we like, we’ll stop, even if it means seeing less. A vacation where we don’t watch the clock too much! 🙂
Does this route (a mix of several blogs where not all stops are noted) seem realistic or too ambitious? Are there certain spots that are more worth prioritizing over the ones I’ve listed? For example, in one of the blogs I read, travelers skipped Blue Mountains National Park because they chose another site (which I’ve forgotten 😎).
For accommodation, we’ll likely be camping (free or paid), so if you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them! 😎
Our arrival in Sydney on September 12 depends on my hope to participate in the marathon on September 15, 2025. After that, we’ll leave Sydney on September 17 for Ayers Rock.
Thanks in advance for your tips and ideas—it’s always tricky to plan a route from a distance when time is limited.
And long live this site, which I’ve missed so much since 2020! 😎🙂
