tourism
Newcastle is an industrial centre (coal exporting, formerly steel production) with great beaches, Australia's oldest wine region, a run-down city centre and 2.5 hrs by train to Sydney. In 2011 Newcastle rated in the top 10 places to visit in the world by Lonely Planet. It is Australia's sixth largest city.
around newcastle: beach (Nobby's beach, Newcastle beach, look for the Bogey Hole)
Blackbutt reserve (pat koalas at 2pm)
Port Stephens (whale watching, dolphins, about an hour north of newcastle)
Hunter Valley wine region (50 mins or so west of newcastle)
Fernleigh track (bicycle path to belmont/lake macquarie)
Glenrock (mountain biking)
Great north walk (hiking trail starting in newcastle, south to sydney (first section from newcastle to Charlestown is good))
Barrington Tops (hiking)
rugby (league) - Hunter Stadium (Friday 25 July Newcastle Knights v Sydney Roosters)
here are some cycle route maps
sydney: opera house
you can climb the harbour bridge, or cycle/walk across it.
newcastle to brisbane:
port stephens, port macquarie, coffs harbour, byron bay, gold coast (surfers paradise)
great barrier reef:
fly to queensland (mackay, airlie beach, townsville, cairns etc) and go from there. (closest reef is Lady Elliot Island, flights from Hervey bay)
uluru: (also called ayres rock) central australia, can fly either to uluru (small airport and resort there) or alice springs then rent a car to drive there (300-400 kms) and see Kata Tjuta (also called the olgas), kings canyon etc as well.
darwin:
july is dry season so best time to go. kakadu national park, crocodiles, lots to do, probably need to rent a car.
melbourne:
great city to spend time in.
tasmania:
cold in july but beautiful -- cradle mountain, freycinet, rent a car and drive around