Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Moreton Island or Fraser Island?

I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with either of these islands off of the Brisbane coast.... We're looking at the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin resort on Moreton Island (for the Dolphins) & the Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island... we're 2 adults, 2 kids, not overly athletic (at all)...

Any info appreciated!

I just wanted to say thank you for the great idea to visit Tangalooma (http://www.tangalooma.com/tangalooma/start.asp). I had never heard of it until now, and have just sent off an enquiry about their package rates for my upcoming trip. Thank you for mentioning it, and if you visit before September (when I plan to be in the area), I'd be especially interested in hearing about your experiences there.

SS

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There will never be a winner in the "Battle of the Sexes". There's too much fraternizing with the enemy.

Your welcome SS!!!

We won't be there til next January 5-8, so if you do go there, I really hope that you can let me know how it is....

Have you looked at Fraser Island at all? Did you have any opinions of it? To at least get another opinion on this would be good... I don't know that it's possible in six nights to go to both islands & Brisbane itself (I just want to go to the Lone Pine Koala sanctuary just N. of Brisbane)....

Tangalooma is wonderful for the kids. Did you know that much of the Scooby Doo movie was filmed there? It is much more of a resort than Kingfisher on Fraser.

But if you want to rent a 4WD and drive the beaches and fishing etc, then go for Fraser. If going to Fraser, you really don't want to just stay at Kingfisher, you need to get out and explore the island (beacher, lakes, forests etc).

Go for Fraser if you want wilderness, nature etc and don't mind sand throughout everything.

Go for Tangalooma if you want more mod cons and luxury.

Chris,

I haven't really looked at Fraser Island, and judging by nm's comments, it's probably not what I had in mind.

I liked Tangalooma's range of activities and accomodations. The sand dune downhill seems especially interesting to this adrenalin junkie! Also, living in South Florida, I have volunteered at the Wild Bird Care Center and Theatre of the Sea in the Keys, so I've learned about (and enjoy) bird and sea mammal interaction. (It'll be even better without having to clean, sort, and weigh smelly fish!) Combining all of these with resort activities and ammenities seems like a great mix for a day or two.

BTW, they emailed me back with package information which includes the launches to and from the resort and daily breakfast. If I stay there, I'll let you know my impressions when I return.

I want to try to fit the koalas in somewhere, too!

SS

Thanks NM & SS!!

I think we will stay at Moreton Island for sure... do you guys have any opinions whether it should be 2 or 3 nights? How many is too many? Also, would you guys think that one night in Brisbane is enough? Or is there more to do than the koala Sanctuary? I need to figure this out ASAP because I have to book our air award by February 19th (they're holding our outbound flights waiting for the return availability to show up....)

I've had the hardest time figuring out an itinerary!

Chris,

I'm trying to figure out my itinerary, too. For me, I'm headed (a bit south of Brisbane) to the Gold Coast for a few days. I must ride the Scooby Coaster at Warner Bros. Movie World, and also visit Dream World, the other major theme park in Australia. (There's a Sea World nearby, also.)

I've heard of of Brisbane referred to as BrisneyWorld and even BrisVegas, so for me, there's plenty to do there, and I'll apparently need a good 5 days if I include Tangalooma. (I feel kind of silly trying to give advice since I've yet to visit.)

Next, I'm considering Cairns & Townsville for the Great Barrier Reef and a visit to the Australia Zoo, run by Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, and his wife, Terri.

When I booked my flight, I gave myself as much time on the ground in OZ as I could spare, and am now starting to deal with my intra-Australia itinerary and flights.

I'm flying between the major cities and then will either rent cars at my destinations or use mass transit, depending on the area.

I hope you find my plans helpful in making yours.

SS

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Stagedoor Suzie:
Chris,

Next, I'm considering Cairns & Townsville for the Great Barrier Reef and a visit to the Australia Zoo, run by Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, and his wife, Terri.

SS</font>

Suzie..just thought I should let you know that Steve Irwin's zoo is nowhere near Townsville or Cairns. It is in a town called Beerwah, which is just west of Noosa Heads, You can easily do it as a day trip from the Gold Coast.

Also, you may want to rethink your five days if you plan on doing the worlds thing Dreamworld etc. etc., plus Steve Irwins zoo, and Tangalooma in there as well.

Phoebe

Hi SS

We've been to Cairns before... We stayed at the Kewarra Beach resort, it was WONDERFUL... If this is a romantic trip I'd highly recommend the resort!! We did a day tour to Dunk Island (fun!) & also did some snorkeling... it was great!

One of my problems, is that I was thinking it would be nice to visit New Zealand somewhere along in this trip... so I think I'm just probably trying to fit in too much... I hadn't thought about visiting Australia's theme parks... the kids would like that... I think I've bogged myself down with details!!! If you feel like trading suggestions back & forth email me! I really don't seem to be making any progress at all!!! Right now I'm think about driving from Sydney up to Brisbane, passing through the area you spoke of... it's 600 miles of driving from Sydney to Brisbane... I'm entitled to the free flight, but obviously don't have to take it!!! Too many options, that's the problem!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chris1gill:

I hadn't thought about visiting Australia's theme parks... the kids would like that... I think I've bogged myself down with details!!! Right now I'm think about driving from Sydney up to Brisbane, passing through the area you spoke of... it's 600 miles of driving from Sydney to Brisbane... I'm entitled to the free flight, but obviously don't have to take it!!! Too many options, that's the problem!</font>

Chris..if time is of the essence then don't drive from Sydney to Brisbane. It's a 10 to 12 hour drive, so you are wasting a day or two depending on your driving pattern. It can also be a crappy drive. The Pacific Highway is being worked on, a lot of it is still one lane each way. There are speed cameras' galore and it is also a favourite haunt for cops with their radars.

Secondly ..again if time is of the essence..skip the theme parks. Trust me, you have better ones in the USA. While they aren't bad there is nothing uniquely Australian about them..they are just like any other theme park. Spend the time seeign Australian things..after all, isn't that why you are flying for 14 hours.

If you have kids you may be better of staying in Surfers Paradise, not Brisbane. There is not much for kids to do in Brisbane itself and you can still visit the Koala Sanctuary on a day trip. Surfers has the beach, plus lots of things aimed at kids. It's more of a family destination.

Phoebe

Thanks Pheobe!

I think you're right about staying in Brisbane...

How about:

Day 1: Fly Sydney to Brisbane in the AM, drive to the Koala Sanctuary in the afternoon... Check in to Brisbane hotel (Sheraton) for the night...
Day 2: Take the ferry over to Moreton Island to stay at Tangalooma...
Day 3: Tangalooma (two full days?)
Day 4: Tangalooma
Day 5: Ferry back to Brisbane & then ???

Here's where I am getting lost.. what do we do next? We could drive to Hinterland (couple of resorts there? O'Reilly's being one) OR we could drive to the Noosa area - there's just an OVER ABUNDANCE OF STUFF to do!!

A huge part of me says "yeh" skip the theme parks, but then I'm a theme park junky... UGH... you're right about it though!

chris1gill, the koala sanctuary (I assume you are refering to Lone Pine) is ok, but I would recommend taking the 1 hour drive north to Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin's park). Here you will not only see Koalas, but lots of other things in a great environment. If you arrive at Lone Pine just after the tourist coaches, you might a long wait before you get to see any koalas as they all line up for their photo with the animals.

Considering the drive from the airport to Lone Pine is going to be 30-40 mins depending on traffic, the drive up to Australia Zoo is not much more for a wider range of things to see. Its a really easy drive from BNE - exit the airport, head north on the Gateway Arterial road which merges with the Bruce Highway. Take the Beerwah turnoff (about 30 mins up the highway) and follow the signs. It is nowhere near as far north as Noosa. 60 mins max from the airport.

Tangalooma resrort used to have a double-decker bus to transport from the city to the launch. Not sure if it still operates, but would be a fun and convenient way to get to the launch.

The sand dunes are great fun!

You all have been so helpful! Phoebe with the routing information, nm with the transportation ideas, chris with resorts to visit...a big "thank you" to all.

SS

I definitely second Phoebe's advice not to drive from Sydney to Brisbane - it is a very long and very tedious drive with almost no interesting scenery at all except for the first hour or so out of Sydney. Considering how many nice stretches of coast and beatiful national parks are tucked away off the highway it makes you wonder whether they deliberately chose the dullest route to ensure no stunning scenery will distract you from concentrating on the road! Any drive where the horrendous 'Big Banana' at Coffs Harbour can be considered a 'highlight' is definitely worth avoiding...

And don't forget the other highlight .... the Big Prawn, a bit further along.

Ahhhh..yes, the big prawn at Ballina a true must see http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Mind you..The Big Banana does make good banana smoothies. It also has one of the best ranges of swimming cossies that I have seen. That's almost worth the 4 to 5 hour drive http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Phoebe

Actually I was a bit bored at Tangalooma. There isn't really that much to do and the trips are all a bit expensive.
If you go there with kids, like to go diving, or are looking for a quiet spot to read, you will probably enjoy the stay but you can do the same and more on Frazer Island.

If you want to do the theme parcs around Surfers, I think you should do Moreton. It's much closer than Frazer.
I wouldn't do Brisbane, it's nice but a bit boring. In Surfers you can do pretty much anything you feel like doing and the 'Hinterland' with it's rainforests is pretty amazing, too.

The flights from Sydney to Brisbane (or Coolangatta for Surfers) are pretty cheap. Book online at www.qantas.com.au (http://www.qantas.com.au) (red hot e-deals) or www.virgin-blue.com.au. (http://www.virgin-blue.com.au.)

Enjoy your trip.
It's another 2 months until I can go again. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif