I was lucky and had a friend that lived there. sorry I can’t be of more help!

I always find the Lonely Planet guides the best; as they will give all the general info as well as getting you of the beaten track

Hi, I live in Brisbane, lived in Sydney a long time ago & have been to Cairns a few times..
BRISBANE – there’s a number of good tour booking offices along George Street, near the Roma St Transit Centre. They have great value tours – both day trip & package extended tours – from Brisbane to Cairns, Byron Bay, Sydney, Fraser Island, Ayers Rock etc.. They cater mainly to backpacker style travellers but if you’re not a backpacker, don’t let that put you off. There is also a very good tour booking office in the heart of Brisbane on the Queen St Mall – it’s the official Queensland Tourism booking office. These websites should help: www.ozbackpackers.com / www.tinbilly.com / www.tourismqueensland.com.au / www.billytea.com.au / www.oztrails.com / www.thecoasttrack.com

If you’re staying in hostels, I can highly recommend CHILL backpackers & Tin Billy in Brisbane: www.tinbilly.com and www.chillbackpackers.com

Also take a browse through what other travellers have to say about places, tours etc. on www.tripadvisor.com & www.travellerspoint.com

If you’d like any advice on specific things to do/must sees/don’t miss etc… for Sydney, Brisbane & Cairns, just sent me a message & I’ll get back to you asap.

Cheers & happy planning :-) J

I have almost always used AYH/International Youth Hostels Federation and Lonely Planet as the beginning point for any exploration. For Australia, I also read Bill Bryson’s In a Sunburnt Country. (He has other seriocomic books of adventures in well-known/visited locations, good reading also.) Lately, I have added watching Globetrekker on PBS. Of course, using the internet nowdays is a given. Probably the finest source of information about tours, highlights, cheap deals, great meals, and intense local flavor has come from fellow travellers, just talking with them or often recorded in a logbook kept in the friendly common room in the hostel. Obviously, my preference is stay in these great (don’t let the name fool you—they’re for everyone!) youth hostels. What I really like about those budget accommodations is that I’m not spending a fortune for safe and secure sleeping/bathing/changing quarters, which is money spread around and supporting the community. I am hesitant to go to a bigger/more commercial travel agency/agent because their interest might be more about making a commission/sale and possibly putting me/my family into a situation I regret, i.e., on a metered time plan such as ten-countries in five days, two meals/day but snacks are on your own, 25 minutes here, 15 minutes there, pay big bucks for a moment in the Sistine Chapel, etc. I absolutely want to be responsible for everything but will use tours if unobtainable otherwise. Taking an ecotour into the Blue Mountains from Sydney (need at least an overnight at Blackheath), Kakadu Dreams from Darwin, Face the Outback with WaywardBus from Alice to Adelaide, Amaroo Hostel on Phillip Island. A return MUST happen because I’ve not explored the Northwest, between Perth and Darwin (birgit@kimberlyasutralia.co), or the South Coast (Freo to Sorrento), Tasmania, or Canberra, or Daintree, or Aboriginal cultural living. But, if I accept the fact that it is virtually impossible to “do it all, see it all”, I’ll grudgingly accept that I have felt and acquired enough….!I wish you well, and do let me know how your trip goes. Please take a look at my website for other possible ideas: www.juanitohayburg.com or friend me on facebook. John-juanito hayburg-eyberg

http://www.adrenalin.com.au

It has been a while since I’ve been to Sydney, but near the Opera House and Circular Quay there are several booths for various tours, such as going to the blue mountains and Canberra.

You may search this book for your aim :
Travel Tips Australia – Discover the magic of Australia now

Sincerely.