Hi Al,
Thanks for the ETA info as I am getting a little confused about the whole procedure. I did check online and there was a charge. My husband checked with his airline travel department but they said they no longer issue the visa or eta's.
Our next step I guess is to check with United and see if they will do it for us since we will probably try them first to get to AUS. We are going to get some back up passes from Quantas for both getting there and for SYD-Cairns and possibly back.

Looks like we will be staying at Peppers Palm Bay on Long Island for our anniversary. It looks real nice <expensive though> and it is not as expensive as Hayman Island. Peppers was recommended to us by an online company escortedtoursaustralia.com I believe. Sure hope Schute Harbor is not too far from the Cairns area.

If anyone knows of a good car rental place <guess we have nixed the RV idea for expense> in Sydney/Cairns let me know.

Also thinking maybe an apartment in Port Douglas and midway between SYD and Cairns would be a good base so doing some more searching for good deals.

I sure do see the reason most people go thru a travel agency as it requires alot of research!!

Al - I believe you work for Quantas - thought Wednesday might be a good day to try to get out of LAX on either UA or QA. Any opinion?
Thanks to everyone for all your help.
Soon to be in AUS - Kathy