Cairns is an awfully long way to go from Sydney for such a short visit; while appreciating that you like cities, I'd suggest 3 days at least in Cairns - there's more to do up there than just the Reef.

Qantas (no "u") and Air NZ are both good airlines.

Suggest you do your city thing and one other site. Too much time in the air for the time on the ground.

As Neil says there is a lot to do in Cairns and area after you have done the reef!

If you are going to the GBR why are you going to the Cook Islands? 1.5 days is not enough time as the GBR is more than just a reef there is enough to do and see to take up 2 weeks there.
You could think of using Air Pacific from LA to Sydney which flies into Fiji and stop over there instead of going the way you have thought of. Air Pacific is part owned by Qantas and is a good airline. They also have great deals in Fiji.

Thank you all for the info. I dd not realize that there was so much to do in Cairns other than relaxing snorkling and diving.
I was told by a neighbor not to miss the Cook Islands while in the Pacific as they said it was a less touristy French Polenesia but similar. So you say Great Barrier is similar to the Cook Islands? I did not know that either. What are the similarities?
My other question is the following:
Is February a good time for a visit?
Thanks

Air New Zealand and Qantas are both excellent airlines. You have to remember that the South Pacific is an enormous area and you will be limited in what you see in two weeks, considering how much flying you'll be doing. Sydney is special and worth your time. If you are adventurous, take the BridgeClimb on Sydney Harbour Bridge. Try to take a sidetrip to either the Hunter Valley wine area or the Blue Mountains.
The GBR stretches over 1500 miles with many islands. You will need more time than you plan. Cairns is in Far North Queensland and there are many attractions in addition to GBR including pristine Rainforest. You would need 3-4 full days and your time could be divided between Cairns and Port Douglas. If you can't allot that much time, you might consider NOT going that far north. Fly to Gladstone above Brisbane and go out to Heron Island or from coast near Brisbane, perhaps a boat trip to Fraser Island. The problem is travel time between any of these points and I doubt if it could be done in less than 3 days 2 nights. A GBR island easier to reach is Hamilton as there are flights right from Sydney. But know Hamilton is much more commercial - several types of hotels, attractions, restaurants, etc. and it's not right on the reef but there are boat tours going further out to the reef.
I disagree with the reviewer saying Cook Islands would be the like GBR. Totally different atmosphere although still beaches and water sports, etc. The Cooks are definitely an alternative to Tahiti and the scenery is gorgeous. Aitutaki and the spectacular lagoon is breathtaking. Again though - so much flying time to get to and from. You ask about Air Rarotonga going to Aitutaki - you have no choice as it's the local airline. Very friendly Polynesian people in the Cooks and they speak English - it's administered by New Zealand.
Weather may not be so good in the Cooks-could be lots of rain in Feb. Summer in Australia. Can be hot and humid in Cairns.
I was a So.Pac. travel specialist so let me know if you have more questions.

Hi
Thank you lsls.
I do have a few more questions.
I do want to see Sydney and climb the bridge which is on my agenda as well as going to the Great Barrier Reef and Aitutaki.
If I stretch my vacation to 2.5 weeks would it be possible to visit all the above?

My trip would be 5 days in Sydney 3 days at the Reef and maybe 3 days on the Cook islands including Rarotonga.

When would be the best time to visit all the above places?
I do want it to be warm but not to humid and of course not rainy.

Is the Great Barrier Reef like a larger Carribean Reef like Buck Island in St Croix Us Virgin Islands and like Trunk Bay in St John Us Virgin Islands?

If you only had a certain amount of time would you go to the Barrier Reef or Aitutaki and Rarotonga?
I have been to many Carribean Islands and Hawaii which sound similar to the Reef but have never been at the Pacific other than Hawaii and Ca. I have been told not to go to Tahiti as it is very touristy and expensive. I do like quiet places near water or going to exciting cities and I have been told not to miss Sydney.
Please advise.
Thanks in Advance

Hi
I have been doing alot of investigation work for planning this trip and it seems like Australia might be good for the whole trip. (2 weeks total including flying there)
I really wanted to see Aitutaki but the airtime is to much and I think that going to the Great Barrier Reef as well as Sydney will give me a great perspective of the Pacific Ocean and Coral Sea. Maybe not as good as Tahiti or the Cooks but similiar as far as shared oceans.
My new Itinerary is the following: flying from the east coast of the usa.

1. Sydney 5 days including some beach trips and other side trips

2. Great Barrier Reef 5 days

Please let me know what you think of my itinerary

I think you'd get a lot out of limiting your itinerary to just 2 destinations, Kappy. Five days in Sydney will give you a good opportunity to explore the city, its surrounds and perhaps even a day or so somewhere a little further afield - the Open Plains Zoo at Dubbo, for example. You could rent a car, see the Blue Mountains, some lovely country towns, wine country around Bathurst & Orange in the Central West and visit one of the world's great open zoos. I'd recommend two nights for this loop, but you could certainly do it with one overnight stop.

Likewise, you could explore the hinterland of the Great Barrier Reef, have a night on a live-aboard boat, do some diving or snorkelling.Take night tour to see nocturnal wildlife. You might even go up to Cooktown. FNQ (Far North Queensland) is fascinating and you're not trying to squeeze it all into 24 hours.

Bokhara2, good advice.

Kappy....limiting yourself to 2 stops (Sydney-Cairns) is a wise choice. Going in February, you'll be able to enjoy nice beach weather in Sydney. There are some gorgeous beaches up and down the coast. As others have said, there is a lot more to North Queensland (Cairns area) than the Barrier Reef - you will not run out of things to do and see in your five days there.

Ralph, CT, USA

Thanks for the great advise.

Hi Kappy: By now you would have completed your trip to Australia and the South Pacific. I'm sure a number of us would be interested to hear what you finally did and your comments on the trip. Hope you had a great time. G'day! lcls

I just ran across this thread.
Won't the weather be really rainy for the GBR visit in February?
Sue

Hi
Sorry lcls
Change of plans. Nothing to report.
I took a trip to Paris, Helsinki, Moscow and St. Petersburg Russia instead last May for my partner's 60th.
This year in February Puerto Rico.
My trip to the South Pacific I am afraid will not happen until 2012 or 2013 in the winter. It will be a 60th bday trip.
I will then report to you and everyone else that is interested. I will change the trip to include Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef no Cook Islands unfortunately as it would take to much time and is a little out of the way.
Sue
Thanks for the heads up about the weather. I will think about another month when I do go there.