My bride and I are getting married in September '07...Unlimited United miles on-hand, and it actually looks pretty wide open if I book now...I can easily get 2 seats in F to SYD from the USA...But seemingly nowhere else on the planet at this time.
I'm thinking the further north, the better...Is it better go to Brisbane or Cairns? Are they both 'nice' places, with lots to do for tourists? We are not on unlimited funds. We're shelling out a pretty penny for the wedding, financed mostly by ourselves, and while I've got all the miles in the world, we'll be a little strapped on cash...That being said, we won't mind paying US$120/night for hotels, but not sure what kind of quality of a hotel we'd get for that amount in either city...Or are we being unrealistic? We really don't need 'fancy'--not really the St. Regis type, I'm usually at regular Hiltons or Sheratons, with the occasional Four-Points and Courtyard suiting me just fine. I did visit some websites and see hotels in our range, but not sure of the quality of them, as they're mostly non-flag properties.
We want to see the GBR...I love snorkeling, and perhaps we could even take a Scuba course. I'm not a surfer, but do have my old body board which I am not too proud to bring with me. Of course, we'll also spend a lot of time in the room--hubba hubba! :)
I'm guessing the weather will be a little better in Cairns...I realize the opposite seasons from the U.S., but very late September - very early October...Is it going to be warm enough for the beach and the water? Websites say it's high 70's - low 80's (F), and doesn't appear to be too rainy that time of year.
Which city would suit us better? Any suggestions on places to stay in either city, preferably waterfront? Will we need a rental car to get around? Should I bring my body board...Are the waves navigable up there? Is either city more 'honeymoon friendly' than the other?
We will stay a day or two in SYD on our way home. We do want to see the Opera House and check the place out a bit as well before we fly home.
Any help/input/suggestions/thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! :)
cpx
Nov 7, 06, 10:17 am
I think if you do some search, you will find plenty of posts for these areas. I like Brisbane area since I'm very familiar with the area and have many
friends, but based on your preference and the time, I'd recommend
Cairns. You will get to do pretty much everything you like and the weather
would be a little warm in September. I havent spend any time there
in September, but check the weather forecast for the rains and storms.
GBR is also closer to Cairns and you have many options to visit different
parts of it.
Atherton Table lands is an amazing area with beautiful views and planty of
water falls... scenic drives and train ride. And its a short drive away from
Cairns.
I think you should rent a car in/around Cairns or Brisbane.
In Cairns, its bit cheaper to live a few blocks away from the water
and on the edge of the city, but its your preference.
Brisbane is also great, its close to Gold Coast, Glass house mountains, Noosa etc...
Down south around Melbourne is also great... you can visit Wineries and the
Great ocean road.
By Sydney, the beaches and the Blue mountains...
but September may not be warm enough to swim around Sydney or Melbourne.
Once you've decided on the place, let me know if you want any details.
whitters
Nov 7, 06, 8:51 pm
There's actually not a lot to do in Brisbane - or at least that's my view as somebody who lives there most of the time. Most of the attractions are an hour or more away, so definitely a car would be a good option if you're planning on going there. As cpx said, Noosa, the Gold Coast and even Byron Bay are pretty accessible with Brisbane as a base.
Brisbane is a long way south of the GBR, so if that's your thing I would stay closer to Cairns. Alternatively you could base yourself out of Brisbane and then fly direct to the reef to spend a few nights there - Jetstar and Virgin Blue both fly from Brisbane to Hamilton Island.
Cairns is definitely an option - there are great places to stay at Palm Cove. Port Douglas is an hour's drive away from Cairns and might be better for a honeymoon - it's a more intimate (though expensive) kind of place.
The water in late September is, for my liking, still a little cold - but it all depends on what you're used to. I'm in Glasgow at the moment, and loved a recent newspaper article about how people were enjoying the unseasonally warm 15 degree celcius (!) weather by heading to the beach!
With regard to hotels, IMO Sheratons and Hiltons in Australia tend to be of a higher standard than in the US - as such they might be more expensive than you'd expect. In Brisbane, in particular, there is a shortage of 4/5 star hotel rooms, so rates for good hotels can be quite steep.
Hope that helps.
ninasunday
Nov 12, 06, 2:21 am
Hi there
I live in Sydney and have lived in Brisbane, Cairns and travelled points in between.
Firstly: The weather in late September is fine for the beach,
from Brisbane up.
You sound like you want a beach holiday.
Don't go to Brisbane, it's sub-tropical city on a river.
If you do pass through Brisbane, go to a restaurant at South Bank;
Friday night is best, there's a market and they salsa at a local bar
(Greystanes?).
And Cairns - you'd have to go slightly north to Clifton Beach or similar for the beach, as Cairns is on a bay, no one swims in the bay usually.
I actually suggest Port Douglas - that's where Bill Clinton holidayed. Those 'in the know' holiday at Port Douglas rather than Cairns.
You sound like you want to body board:
Don't go to Cairns. Noosa has the best surf.
The Great Barrier Reef is a barrier -
there is no surf from Gladstone to Cairns (look at a map).
The last surf is at Agnes Water. (Nice town to visit, nice restaurants.)
What I do think you might want to consider is: NOOSA HEADS.
Very nice, there's several resorts - Sheraton, Twin Waters, etc.
Australia's accommodation is of a high standard - even 3 star will be
clean and acceptable. And the exchange rate is in your favour, so $100 USD per night should get you 4-star.
If you want to snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, then buy the Lonely Planet Guide - Great Barrier Reef, and read up on what is your style of island.
Great Barrier Reef:
My husband and I honeymooned on Hinchinbrook Island, but we liked wild nature and the isolation, nothing else on the island but the resort.
You might prefer more 'activity'.
Lizard Island is very upmarket and one of the best.
Orpheus Island similar.
Bedarra Island as well.
Hayman Island is 'luxurious' 5-star.
Heron Island is for nature lovers and scuba divers.
Other island - also ok -
Daydream
Finally ... if you prefer Honolulu-style, then ... you'd prefer SOUTH of Brisbane, on the Gold Coast - say Broadbeach or Surfers Paradise. Also very nice but definitely the most people, the busiest of all discussed.
It just depends on whether you like shops and shopping or
a more 'wild' nature experience on an island.
Feel free to email me direct with your questions at:
mackenzietheory@yahoo.com.au
Nina Sunday
Sydney Australia
My bride and I are getting married in September '07...Unlimited United miles on-hand, and it actually looks pretty wide open if I book now...I can easily get 2 seats in F to SYD from the USA...But seemingly nowhere else on the planet at this time.
I'm thinking the further north, the better...Is it better go to Brisbane or Cairns? Are they both 'nice' places, with lots to do for tourists? We are not on unlimited funds. We're shelling out a pretty penny for the wedding, financed mostly by ourselves, and while I've got all the miles in the world, we'll be a little strapped on cash...That being said, we won't mind paying US$120/night for hotels, but not sure what kind of quality of a hotel we'd get for that amount in either city...Or are we being unrealistic? We really don't need 'fancy'--not really the St. Regis type, I'm usually at regular Hiltons or Sheratons, with the occasional Four-Points and Courtyard suiting me just fine. I did visit some websites and see hotels in our range, but not sure of the quality of them, as they're mostly non-flag properties.
We want to see the GBR...I love snorkeling, and perhaps we could even take a Scuba course. I'm not a surfer, but do have my old body board which I am not too proud to bring with me. Of course, we'll also spend a lot of time in the room--hubba hubba! :)
I'm guessing the weather will be a little better in Cairns...I realize the opposite seasons from the U.S., but very late September - very early October...Is it going to be warm enough for the beach and the water? Websites say it's high 70's - low 80's (F), and doesn't appear to be too rainy that time of year.
Which city would suit us better? Any suggestions on places to stay in either city, preferably waterfront? Will we need a rental car to get around? Should I bring my body board...Are the waves navigable up there? Is either city more 'honeymoon friendly' than the other?
We will stay a day or two in SYD on our way home. We do want to see the Opera House and check the place out a bit as well before we fly home.
Any help/input/suggestions/thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! :)
mordey
Nov 12, 06, 2:36 am
Having been to all the above mentioned places, i would sugest you base yourslef first in/around Cairns, nd work you way down to even as far as Melbourne.
I am not a surfing guy, so i cannot comment on that, but i do the beaches around Brisbane, like Gold Coass, Sunshine Coast etc... are very nice (I like them better than Bondi Beach). Though you would not want to miss a visit to Sydney, especialy if Australia is not a place that you visit frequently.
I hope this has been helpfull.
krug
Nov 12, 06, 2:54 am
You may find my road trips from Brisbane interesting:
North and South From Brisbane: Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=374964&referrerid=24296)
Of course GBR is a trip of a lifetime thing, but that aside Cairns is pretty dreadful, and not really a destination for longer than two nights max (allowing you an early start and well earned rest after you trip to the reef. If you do go, make sure you take the Quiksilver Cat (http://www.quicksilver-cruises.com/) to the Reef.
You should plan a weekend in Sydney, perhaps a midweek in Cairns for two nights when the reef trips will be quieter and spend the rest around Brisbane, where the weather will be warmer that time of year, with plenty of time for hanggliding in Byron Bay, where there are a couple of intimate luxury hotels which would be ideal for honeymooners.
Do try www.wotif.com.au for hotel deals.
I would suggest you arrive Sydney and tough out another short hop up to Gold Coast/Brisbane/Sunshine Coast airport immediately, which cuts down on the cost of transfers into Sydney and means you can settle in to a hotel for a few days beachside to relax, make whoopee and chill out after the stresses of your wedding day. Maybe Palazzo Versace (http://www.palazzoversace.com.au/) - kitsch but fun at the same time.?
Then hire a car and journey round, ending up in Brisbane. Take the shorter hop up to Cairns, do the reef midweek (now less likely to risk sunburn..), and then now you are rested and enthused by all you have seen spend your last weekend in Sydney, where you will have a great tan, and be time-zone acclimatised.
For honeymooners, I would recommend the Blue Hotel (http://www.tablethotels.com/Hotel/en/716/Review/The-Blue-Woolloomooloo-Bay-Sydney-(Formerly-W-Sydney)-Hotel/Sydney-Australia/20061112035135-4674ed7811d4886073a71f6027559531?hotelId=716&google=1), great views from the City View Rooms, and superb restaurants on the boardwalk under the hotel, as well as beoing a pleasant ten minute walk to the Opera House and Bridge.
bensyd
Nov 12, 06, 4:57 am
Do try www.wotif.com.au for hotel deals.
I would suggest you arrive Sydney and tough out another short hop up to Gold Coast/Brisbane/Sunshine Coast airport immediately, which cuts down on the cost of transfers into Sydney and means you can settle in to a hotel for a few days beachside to relax, make whoopee and chill out after the stresses of your wedding day. Maybe Palazzo Versace (http://www.palazzoversace.com.au/) - kitsch but fun at the same time.?
Then hire a car and journey round, ending up in Brisbane. Take the shorter hop up to Cairns, do the reef midweek (now less likely to risk sunburn..), and then now you are rested and enthused by all you have seen spend your last weekend in Sydney, where you will have a great tan, and be time-zone acclimatised.
For honeymooners, I would recommend the Blue Hotel (http://www.tablethotels.com/Hotel/en/716/Review/The-Blue-Woolloomooloo-Bay-Sydney-(Formerly-W-Sydney)-Hotel/Sydney-Australia/20061112035135-4674ed7811d4886073a71f6027559531?hotelId=716&google=1), great views from the City View Rooms, and superb restaurants on the boardwalk under the hotel, as well as beoing a pleasant ten minute walk to the Opera House and Bridge.
Nice options there krug only problem is I think they will both be well above the US$120/night budget.
To the OP I would consider abit longer than 2 days in Sydney or you really will not see much. I would go with at least 3 nights and 3.5 days anything less and you will really not see much.
cpx
Nov 12, 06, 11:00 am
Having been to all the above mentioned places, i would sugest you base yourslef first in/around Cairns, nd work you way down to even as far as Melbourne.
I am not a surfing guy, so i cannot comment on that, but i do the beaches around Brisbane, like Gold Coass, Sunshine Coast etc... are very nice (I like them better than Bondi Beach). Though you would not want to miss a visit to Sydney, especialy if Australia is not a place that you visit frequently.
I hope this has been helpfull.
Agree with you on the sunshine coast and Gold coast.. I too liked them better.
I also like some of the beaches around the great ocean road. (all the way south)
gleff
Nov 12, 06, 2:23 pm
For relaxation and getting away from the world, I'd pick Port Douglas an hour outside of Cairns. (If you need/want nightlife then base yourself in CNS, but personally I find it a bit of a dump.) You can manage accomodations in the US$120 range up there, and to stay on the budget side consider apartment-style lodging (e.g. The White House which will get you full kitchens in a 1-bedroom in your price range I believe). Then you can save on food costs by stocking up at the grocery.
Of course perhaps you have SPG points to burn? There's the Sheraton Mirage in Port Douglas though it's not generally well regarded.
You can do snorkling, scuba diving, head up to Cape Tribulation and the rainforest.