Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - GBR choice for solo traveller

I have a business trip to New Zealand in November, and plan to add a couple of weeks' holiday to the end of the trip. I've got a rough plan for the NZ portion (about 5-6 days), but I'm trying to decide how to spend my time in Oz. Fundamentally, I'm a city girl, and I have friends in Melbourne and Sydney, so I plan to spend a couple of days in and around each of these cities (probably 2 days in Melbourne as I was there last year, and 3-4 in Sydney - with a side trip to the Blue Mountains if possible). I like walking and am learning to scuba dive, so I was thinking of heading up the coast to the GBR. But where? My budget doesn't stretch to Lizard Island/Hayman prices (although something like Heron Island is within budget for a few days). I'd like to go somewhere that is: a) not overwhelmingly commercialized (so that seems to rule out Hamilton); b) not jam-packed with honeymooners or families with small kids. I'd like to go somewhere where there are at least some other solo travellers, but I'm not sure I'm a Club Med type (although I'm considering it for this portion of the trip, because I'm interested in the watersports in place like the GBR).

Oh, and one final issue: the pesky critter factor. While most critters don't bother me (including spiders, snakes, lizards, rats, etc), I loathe mosquitoes and other flying/biting critters. And I'm wondering whether the fact that it will be "stinger season" will affect activities on the GBR islands. Are stingers enough of a problem on the islands that you can't walk on the beaches or swim off the beaches?

I went to Cairns for several days after doing work around Sydney last year, November. I had a good time, although I have to say that Cairns is mostly a backpackers town. It's not too heavy on culture or anything besides water activities I think.

I went scuba diving each day, on a day boat out to the reef. You don't have to worry about the jellyfish, because they stay near shore and don't travel all the way out to the reef. But the dive companies can advise you more on this if you are concerned.

I went with Tusa Dive and Prodive Cairns, which were both good companies. I forget now what exactly they charge, maybe something like $100 for the trip out to the reef, equipment and lunch and everything included. I thought about booking the 3 day boat trip, but didn't reserve in time for this. It's probably a good deal if you really like diving. The waters were clear and really nice. Remember though, that Cairns does not really have beaches. You have to go elsewhere (nearby) for that stuff. The jellyfish may be a concern there.

Mosquitos and other bugs were not really a problem. I don't remember any horrible bug stories while I was there.

As for airfare, I believe you can get to Cairns from Sydney for about A$200 each way. Check qantas.com for special deals. Enjoy!

Well my brother went early this year and I'm going in a week. He told me to fly into Cairns and then go to Port Douglas.

As the other poster noted, there are boats there that do the excursions to the reef and then allow you to dive or snorkel. he recommended the calypso.

By the way If you aren't using a Kiwi Pass or whatever its called from Auckland to get around Australia, Virgin Blue's fares are generally cheaper than Qantas's regular fares.

I believe you have to buy the boomerang pass in the u.s. before you go. don't know about the kiwi pass. details are on qantas' u.s. web site