Great Barrier Reef, and other things- advice needed!

sydneybound

I'd say that you would get a nicer reef experience doing it from the Whitsundays. Cairns is a popular place for people to do a reef trip, but the city itself isn't all that great - and most trips head north to pick people up at Port Douglas before heading out to the reef, so it might work out better to head the hour north to Port Douglas from Cairns. Port Douglas is far nicer than Cairns, although small, it has tonnes of restaurants (try Salsa at the end of the main road on the left) and lots going on (Sunday markets etc). Plus you have the 4 Mile Beach, which Cairns doesn't...

Going back to the Whitsundays, you could base yourself in Airlie Beach to cut the costs. You have 2 airport options - Proserpine (30-45km west/ inland from Airlie Beach) serviced by Virgin Blue, or Hamilton Island which is serviced by Jetstar and others... Qantas included. You could get a 30 minute boat ride to the main land from Hamilton Island - staying in/around Airlie Beach is recommended, as Hamilton Island is extremely expensive - for what you get anyway...

Lots of companies do trips from Airlie Beach out to the reef - including Heart Reef... v. nice. You can also see the Whitsundays, as someone suggested on a boat trip, or do it by seaplane - as we did, which was amazing! Of course you need to see Whitehaven Beach - pure pure sand, and clear waters... heaven!

Hope this helps,

ENJOY!

PS: I just remembered - if you do stay in Cairns, I'd recommend a bar called Apres Beach Bar and Grill - or something like that, amazing eye steaks! hmmmm!

Skint_Catt

I loved Cairns, lol.

You can scuba dive the same day you fly in if you get your timings right - we went out on a Catamaran for two days - did three dives on the sat, 1 night dive (with 7 reef sharks and a silver tip!) on the sat night and four dives on the sun before heading back to the coast - you stay anchored near the reef overnight as it's 70 miles out. (Buy a disposable underwater camera!)

I skydived (tandem) at Colundra - about an hour by bus north of Brisbane with Sunshine Coast Skydivers. It was the best thing ever and I'm petrified of heights!

I got photo's and a video and we dived over the sea, landing on the beach - WOWOWOWOWOW! $140 I think!

Have a whale of a time, and remember it always.

S_C

Luvly.cuppa.T

Thanks a lot guys, all this info really helps, as of course we want this trip to be wonderful. (doesn't everyone though who does this?) It's just trying to get everything in that's worthwhile in a short time and paying the least that we can.

Thanks for all the links to the scuba issue. I wasn't aware that it had changed and that debates were had about it! (I did wonder though that where-ever it is advertised the safety times aren't. A bit strange) It's unfortunate that we had a school mate that died doing it- well if I remember right it was after the dive and I think it was due to an air bubble that travelled to her brain? Could be wrong, as it was about 7 years ago now, or more. So that doesn't make a couple of us who knew her too fantastic about scubering. However with that new info I will share it with the others, so the choice is there.

Cheers for all the airlines and Airlie beach and the skydives etc. This definately helps us with our decisions!!

researcher

We were in Cairns last October, and went to the Franklin islands after being recommended by locals. Very disappointing, the water was a bit rough so poor visability - the reef only ok - seen better! Cairns was nothing special - and in general the area is overpriced.

Port Douglas was very expensive, nice but a bit like Marbella - some love it, some think it's a rip-off, but the surrounding rainforest is great.
Although I loved Australia, I'm not in a hurry to return to this particular area and I think you could do better.

Luvly.cuppa.T

I was sneakily hoping that someone would say something like that about Cairns!! It's just that we don't have the luxury of months or even 3 weeks to spend out there, so we need to get in all the worthwhile things rather than the 'just done places'.

One of us wishes to go to Melbourne, and the suggestion that Victoria is a must see has come about. Any one with experiences there?

Also with a few 'activities' like sky diving and snorkeling and abseiling, can anyone recommend a decent insurance? I guess that it would have to be a backpapers one from the start, as we don't have accomadation lined up before we get there. Any help on this too would be appreciated.

Also Callisto,or anyone with the know how- how do you sign up with the Youth Hostel Association? We would like to do that asap!

AussieLass

Luvly.cuppa.T wrote:

I was sneakily hoping that someone would say something like that about Cairns!! It's just that we don't have the luxury of months or even 3 weeks to spend out there, so we need to get in all the worthwhile things rather than the 'just done places'.

One of us wishes to go to Melbourne, and the suggestion that Victoria is a must see has come about. Any one with experiences there?

Also with a few 'activities' like sky diving and snorkeling and abseiling, can anyone recommend a decent insurance? I guess that it would have to be a backpapers one from the start, as we don't have accomadation lined up before we get there. Any help on this too would be appreciated.

Also Callisto,or anyone with the know how- how do you sign up with the Youth Hostel Association? We would like to do that asap!

TBH if you are over here for a total of 18 days it's not going to give you much time to see a lot of places in different parts of Aus. If you are landing in Sydney I would look at exploring Sydney/Qld - the Gold Coast is on the border or Sydney/Melbourne. There are a lot of attractions in all three or two states whatever to have a lot of fun. It can cost quite a bit to sightsee further afield if you are here for 18 days. The sheer distance of places means you would need to fly otherwise it can take days out of your holiday.

researcher

I've got to agree with AussieLass, don't try and do too much. We were lucky to be there working and being paid to travel in NSW and Victoria - and I'd say that both Sydney and Melbourne are brilliant, and if you can hire a car and travel between them - as we did - you'll get to see the real Australia. Get off the main highway and into the towns and villages. Visit some of the wineries if you like. For any foodies Melbourne is heaven.

I personnaly wouldn't waste time on flights between cities - it always seems to take a day - and all airports and flights are much the same. Try and make the most of your time - not by doing too much - but by enjoying it all.

markmat

Luvly.cuppa.T wrote:

how do you sign up with the Youth Hostel Association? We would like to do that asap!

Just go to their website and sign up online, only takes a few minutes and the pack arrives in 4 or 5 days.

If you need to buy any travel gear/clothes/walking boots etc. then you'll easily save the membership fee just by using the discounts in Millets, Blacks etc. :cool:

markmat

researcher wrote:

I personnaly wouldn't waste time on flights between cities - it always seems to take a day

although that probably depends which two cities you're travelling between. Eg. you're certainly not going to get from Cairns to Brisbane overland in a day.

VickyA_2

I spent 2 weeks in Australia 3 years ago. I'd previously spent more time there, but I didn't get to Cairns. My two weeks in Australia were split between Sydney - which I love - and Cairns, which I'm indifferent about. I'd always wanted to do the "reef" and glad that I've been there but I don't think I'll go back. The boat that I went on allowed you to do snorkelling and you could also pay a little extra for an "introductory" scuba dive lasting 30mins.

Like I say, I won't be going back to Cairns.................. but I will definitely return to Sydney and Melbourne and the whole of the West Coast.