Australian vacation?

[Sasquatch]

So I'm planning to take a couple weeks and spend them in Australia when I get back. And while I know the typical vacation spots in the United States, and around where I live, I don't know much about good vacation spots in Australia. Of course, there's the opera house in Sydney, so even though I don't care much for opera, I've never been to one and that's about the best place to do it. And I want to go see where Finding Nemo was filmed*. And I don't have any diving certification or anything, so I don't know how expensive it would be to do with gear rental and all, but of course it would be awesome to go scuba diving on the reef.

But what else is there? Are there particular cities I should visit or anything? Anything I should know, like what food to try that isn't in the States, or what to stay away from, anything like that? I know we have people from Australia on this board, so I figured I'd ask here, and it'd probably be easier and a lot more informative than trying to search the internet. I might hit up New Zealand too, because everything I've heard says that's a gorgeous country, but I'm not sure yet.

And I guess, to make this topic more generally revant than just getting information for myself, it can be about anybody's desired vacation spots and what the best places to go are.

* Yes, that was a joke.

[Alpha]

Ayers Rock/Uluru is probably a must. I'd love to see the outback personally. Perhaps take the train across the continent? How long are you away for?

I haven't ever been to Australia, but I'm in the minority of my friends who haven't. Everyone who has been to Melbourne sings its praises. You could go see the Ned Kelly museum.

My girlfriend quite enjoyed going on a trip to the Twelve Apostles, in Victoria.

And the Gold Coast would be pretty awesome. The beaches look fantastic, though I have a feeling that would be pricey.

AND COME TO NEW ZEALAND! I could show you around Wellington, which was voted Lonely Planet's 4th greatest city to visit (or w/e they were trying to gauge) in a recent poll. It would be interesting to meet you.

And if you brought your tramping gear, you could go on trips that would blow your mind.

[Furore]

Sydney for historical buildings and the Aquarium, the Gold Coast for theme parks and one of Australia's greatest draws - The Great Barrier Reef and the outback for Uluru, rich red sandy deserts and a taste of stereotypical bush life - be careful though, some of those places will charge you what you'd usually pay on a whole case for a single beer...

There's also a few breweries, a lot of places to sample top class wine and the Cadbury factory in Tasmania (not sure if they're still doing tours though). If you go around March you'll catch the Royal Easter Show which showcases much of the finest produce Australia offers and if you do, look out for the Ned Kelly Reds stall if they have it - bloody beautiful red wine spritzers.