Planes, trains and automobiles
You won’t see a great deal from 10,000 metres, but flying is the most efficient way between Australian cities. I know I keep beating the drum about distances, but consider this. From Melbourne to Sydney is about 900 km by road following the most direct route (allow two days without time for any sightseeing): then it is another 1000 km from Sydney to Brisbane. But Brisbane is only at about the midpoint of the eastern coastline, so you would still be facing another 1700km drive to Cairns! Maybe you have plenty of time and would like to experience the drive and see the country? That’s a reasonable thing too, just be sure to allow plenty of time for sightseeing and relaxing – too many visitors from overseas are caught unaware by the demands of long drives. On the other hand, driving from Melbourne to Cairns will take a week, preferably longer. If you add up the accommodation, fuel and hire...
