Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - What's the latest news on Whitsunday scuba diving & hotels?

Hello, all. I'm putting together a trip from the USA to Australia next March for myself and Mr. Lori_Q. We're flying into Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix, visiting the wine country and Adelaide, traveling to Alice Springs on the Ghan train, then on to Whitsunday Coast on Virgin Blue. From there we'll head to Sydney and Barossa Valley.

The threads mentioning Whitsunday were last updated in May, so I'd like to ask for recent recommendations on resorts & dive operators. I'm looking for the following:

1. Nice beach resort with a good pool area and bar service; I'd like to be on one of the islands, but mainland is okay

2. PADI-certified dive operator

3. Convenient snorkeling

4. Good restaurants

I've already checked out www.airliebeach.com, as recommended elsewhere in this forum. It was helpful, but personal recommendations are useful, too!

Thanks!

The wine country near Adelaide is the Barossa Valley, so why visit again after Sydney?

It's a nice area but seems a long way to travel to see it twice.

The wine country near Adelaide is the Barossa Valley, so why visit again after Sydney?

It's a nice area but seems a long way to travel to see it twice.

It is indeed! I was under the impression that the Barossa Valley was outside of Sydney. A quick look at Lonely Planet-Australia shows you are correct.

This is good news, actually. I'd like to keep the wine-country touring restricted to one part of the trip.

1. Nice beach resort with a good pool area and bar service; I'd like to be on one of the islands, but mainland is okay
IMO do NOT stay on the mainland to dive in the Whitsundays, way too much travel time by boat (HOURS), stay on one of the islands for sure. We stayed on Hayman, there is a review I wrote somewhere in this forum, use search if interested. Have FUN!

You didn't mention a price point but it sounds like a no expense spared tour (certainly Melbourne costs double during the grand prix). In which case if looking for the best the only choice is Hayman Island. Expensive but well worth it.

I was under the impression that the Barossa Valley was outside of Sydney.Hunter Valley is outside of Sydney and has some good wines. Maybe good enough to merit a visit, esp. if you like the Hunter style. Sort of the Sonoma valley of Australia.

You didn't mention a price point but it sounds like a no expense spared tour (certainly Melbourne costs double during the grand prix). In which case if looking for the best the only choice is Hayman Island. Expensive but well worth it.

The Hayman Island resort looks lovely! Unfortunately, expense IS a consideration. (We got a great tour rate for the Melbourne race tickets & hotel through a motor-sports tour operator.) I'd prefer to spend a maximum of $200 USD per night in the Whitsundays, which pretty much takes Hayman Island out of the running. Are there any other resorts that are near dive sites in the Whitsundays? If not, I may need to rethink our destination.

Thanks for the information, everyone!

Have you considered Heron Island (www.heronisland.com)? It's a coral cay right on the Barrier Reef & has diving as part of their amenities. It's not actually part of the Whitsundays though, being further south but it does look very nice! Rooms start at $240 p/person p/night but that includes all meals.

Another place to consider is Hamilton Island (www.hamiltonislandresort.com) however rooms I've looked at there are all more expensive than Heron...I'm not sure if you'd get an island room under US$200.

WOW -- Thanks, goosegreen! It looks like Heron Island has the right combination of amenities. (Great website design, too!) I will make enquiries.

Try http://www.scubacentre.com.au for local Whitsunday diving options

I am a long time resident of the Whitsunday Islands and should be able to help you with your enquiries.

The best diving to be had in the Whitsundays is on Oceania a purpose built dive boat doing 3 day/night cruises on the Great Barrier Reef. You can also choose the option of diving the wreck of SS Yongala reputed to be among the top ten wreck dives in the world. All diving equipment , meals, linen, torches etc are included in the price. This is a mainland based PADI dive operation backed by a dive shop, training centre, test station and two modern dive boats. Nothing on the islands even comes close. You will need to book in advance with www.scubacentre.com.au because May is very busy and private double cabins are the first to go. They will give you any information you require about the boat or the cruise

On the mainland you can stay at Coral Sea Resort which is located on a rocky headland at Airlie Beach and overlooks the bay, marina and the Whitsunday Islands. They have a great pool and restaurant and the resort is relatively new with modern rooms and the option of a private spa on the balcony. There are other options like the Airlie beach hotel which is also quite nice but doesn't have the same nearness to the ocean as Coral Sea Resort.

Probably the the best of the Islands is Hamilton Island. They are running a special in May - 5 nights for the price of 4 at AUD$340 with full buffet breakfast included (about US$1020 for 5 nights) for a room in the hotel with sea views. I have stayed there several times and I am sure you will be impressed with the size of the rooms and the quality of the furnishings. You can fly directly into this island and a regular ferry service operates between the island and the mainland. You could spend some time on the mainland and then 5 nights on Hamilton Island. If you go for a hotel room with Garden views (same room but no ocean view) the cost is about AUD$290 per room per night or US$900 for the same deal. The bungalows are cheaper still and there are a number of quality restaurants.

Hope this helps you with your decision. Incidentally May is generally the best time of year for diving and holdaying in the Whitsundays


Hello, all. I'm putting together a trip from the USA to Australia next March for myself and Mr. Lori_Q. We're flying into Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix, visiting the wine country and Adelaide, traveling to Alice Springs on the Ghan train, then on to Whitsunday Coast on Virgin Blue. From there we'll head to Sydney and Barossa Valley.

The threads mentioning Whitsunday were last updated in May, so I'd like to ask for recent recommendations on resorts & dive operators. I'm looking for the following:

1. Nice beach resort with a good pool area and bar service; I'd like to be on one of the islands, but mainland is okay

2. PADI-certified dive operator

3. Convenient snorkeling

4. Good restaurants

I've already checked out www.airliebeach.com, as recommended elsewhere in this forum. It was helpful, but personal recommendations are useful, too!

Thanks!

Thanks, MCDO! I appreciate the information!

I am a long time resident of the Whitsunday Islands and should be able to help you with your enquiries.
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Incidentally May is generally the best time of year for diving and holdaying in the WhitsundaysFantastic! Thanks for that tidbit. We are doing a five day bareboat charter out of Airlie Beach in May 2006, and were hoping it would be a good time of year.

(FYI we will definitely post a report in the Trip Reports forum).