So my wife and I managed to snag a couple tickets to Australia in March when Air New Zealand had the super-discounted biz class seats on sale. We’ve been trying to put together an itinerary for our 10 day trip but neither of us has ever been before so everything is new to us. Has anyone every used a US based travel agent for a trip to Australia that they would recommend? FWIW we are thinking Sydney, Hunter Valley and Gold Coast (though everything is open!).
Australia is a big place! As big as the continental US. Make sure you leave enough time for travel.
I am a US based travel advisor and would be happy to help you with your trip to Australia. I was just in Sydney and Melbourne last February. Feel free to PM me or check out my website for more info. www.nickrunningtravel.com
10 days in Australia is not much if you want to do Sydney and Gold Coast (900Km apart).
Sydney - Harbour Bridge/Opera House/Foreshore/Darling Harbour/Barangaroo (1-2 day)
Blue Mountains (1 day)
Hunter Valley (1 Day)
Manly for beach and Ferry ride over or Bondi (1 day)
Gold Coast is all about the beaches, so depends if that is your thing. If you want more a Resort style thing, then Port Douglas a bit higher up might be an option.
If you like Museums and the like then Canberra is an option (about 3 hour drive from Sydney) - Think Washington DC.
Melbourne (900km from Sydney) is very European (food and cafe culture). But has Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Geelong wine regions all close by.
Dave’s on the ball with the Sydney itinerary, prob would opt to stay overnight in the Hunter Valley though (eat at EXP or ideally Muse Restaurant (not Muse Kitchen although it’s decent too). If you’re comfortable enough driving on the left, a hire car would be the way to go, otherwise there are a number of tour operators that can look after you. Uber is also great for getting around Sydney, the ‘official’ taxis are a very mixed experience.
Gold Coast has family theme parks, lots of sunshine and lots of beaches. Really not much else, but it’s still a nice place to take it easy, particularly Coolangatta or Byron Bay which are bit less ‘high-rise touristy’).
Cairns/Port Douglas/Palm Cove are a much longer flight from Sydney (3hrs flying each way) but it’s a beautiful part of the world, hot and humid, but the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree forest is handy, it’s more varied in terms of scenery options/things to do and overall a lovely contrast to the big city Sydney vibe. Brace for the heat though, wherever you go! And don’t forget the sunscreen, the sun UV levels down under are really harsh, sunburn after day one walking around the Opera House is not fun. Late March maybe not quite as bad, but it’s worth mentioning.
Enjoy down under mate 
Cheers
Tim
SURFER’S PARADISE !!! (Beaches,Casinos,Beaches) MUST SEE !
Yes surfer’s paradise. Here’s a member of the group that vacation where they can “watch” the surfers:
Does “TOPLESS BEACHES” make it all worthwhile ??? 
That dude in the picture makes them bottomless so I would say the topless beaches are better.