Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Brisbane-Gold Coast area & Cairns in August

Hi all --

Mrs CO FF & I plan our summer vacations early, since we know when the kids are away at camp. When I called AA the other day, I was actually able to land 2 QF J tix for the right days, so we're planning Australia for early August.

We will be visiting a friend in Gold Coast over a weekend, and leaving ex-BNE on Tuesday AM. Do people think that there's 3 days worth of things to do in the BNE-Gold Coast area, for people (like us) who do NOT want to spend time just lying on a beach?

Also, for non-divers, is 2 1/2 days in/around Cairns enough to spend some time snorkeling the Reef, seeing the rainforest, etc.? Or should we take some time away from the 9 days we're budgeting for the stretch SYD-MEL?

thx

What do you like to do? The Gold Coast is a holiday destination so if you like beaches, being outdoors, golf etc then you'll enjoy it, if you're looking for cultural type things then Brisbane and the Gold Coast really don't have either.

I'd almost be tempted to say chop a day off the Gold Coast and add it to Cairns.

Thanks, BenSyd.

We are definitely not beach/golf types; we prefer our outdoor activities to be more visiting/seeing -- we are excited about snorkeling the Reef, whitewater rafting, rain forest hiking, etc. up in the Cairns area, but I don't get the sense that we'll find them around Gold Coast.

We are more likely to do museums & historical sites, and are very interested in learning what we can about the Aborigine culture while in Australia...I may plan for 2 days combined for Brisbane & Gold Coast, figuring that (if all else fails) Mrs CO FF will never turn down a massage!

Hi CO FF, you will be able to meet local indigenous people in Cairns as the beachfront is a popular place to sit and you will find picnicing backpackers, locals of whatever descent including koori background, tourists etc.

I haven't investigated tourist sites which incorporate koori culture and history, but I imagine that there would be numerous sites along the coast. Perhaps google that and especially search the National Parks & Wildlife Service sites.

I'd much prefer the QLD FNC to the GC, too, and the BiziBBs are too fair-skinned to be bronzed Aussie waxheads. :cool:

I haven't investigated tourist sites which incorporate koori culture and history, but I imagine that there would be numerous sites along the coast. Perhaps google that and especially search the National Parks & Wildlife Service sites.


I thought Koori was a NSW thing? I could be wrong though and I have no idea what the Queensland equivalent would be.:)

Thanks, BenSyd.

We are definitely not beach/golf types; we prefer our outdoor activities to be more visiting/seeing -- we are excited about snorkeling the Reef, whitewater rafting, rain forest hiking, etc. up in the Cairns area, but I don't get the sense that we'll find them around Gold Coast.

We are more likely to do museums & historical sites, and are very interested in learning what we can about the Aborigine culture while in Australia...I may plan for 2 days combined for Brisbane & Gold Coast, figuring that (if all else fails) Mrs CO FF will never turn down a massage!

In that case I would definately go with two days GC/BNE and add in.

If you're absolutley stuck for things to do on the Gold Coast there's always Nimbin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimbin,_New_South_Wales), which you might find *interesting* and will certainly show you a side of Australia you won't find anywhere else. The drive through Northern NSW is very picturesque about 90 minutes from the airport, probably closer to two hours from the GC proper. I used to make business trips upto Kyogle (nr Nimbin) so I've done the drive several times from the GC.

Don't forget that August is the absolute worst weather for Brisbane/Gold Coast area - freezing, with freezing horrible winds (especially towards the end of the month).

There's heaps of good outdoors stuff on the coast though - look up things like O'Reillys, Lamington, Mt Tambourine .... gorgeous (but still, cold in August!). Really nice scenery, bushwalking (for once, the weather is a plus - no bugs or snakes or anything in August!), there's even some wineries.

http://www.oreillys.com.au/
http://www.tamborinemtncc.org.au/visiting/tourist_info/tourist_info.cfm
http://www.goldcoastwinecountry.com.au/

I thought Koori was a NSW thing? I could be wrong though and I have no idea what the Queensland equivalent would be.:)
Murri.

I spent the entire month of August in Main Beach on the Gold Coast. It was not cold at all. In fact, there was a heat wave that took temperatueres to 90 F. The Gold Coast is great if you don't spend a lot of time in Surfers Paradise. Brisbane is a lovely city with lots to do. As far as Cairns is concerned, youshould know that it takes about 3 hours to get to the reef. You can't walk out of your hotel in Cairnes and expect to go snorkeling.

In that case I would definately go with two days GC/BNE and add in.

If you're absolutley stuck for things to do on the Gold Coast there's always Nimbin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimbin,_New_South_Wales), which you might find *interesting* and will certainly show you a side of Australia you won't find anywhere else. The drive through Northern NSW is very picturesque about 90 minutes from the airport, probably closer to two hours from the GC proper. I used to make business trips upto Kyogle (nr Nimbin) so I've done the drive several times from the GC.

And you are a throwback to where?

And you are a throwback to where?

Huh?:confused:

I think you'll find much more to do in the Cairns area than in the Brisbane/Gold Coast area. In fact, if you're in Brisbane, I find the Sunshine Coast (north of Brisbane) more interesting and more pleasant than the Gold Coast.

The weather in Brisbane in August is likely to be mild, or even warm, but the weather in the Cairns area is likely to be very good: warm or even hot during the day, but dry and not humid, and cool enough at night (just) for sleeping. NEVER go to Far North Queensland in the southern summer: it is hot, humid, wet, and horrible. Brisbane is not much better. So you've picked a good time of year to visit that part of the world, imho.

Don't forget that August is the absolute worst weather for Brisbane/Gold Coast area - freezing, with freezing horrible winds (especially towards the end of the month).


I wouldn't call it freezing at all, unless you are comparing it to FNQ. It can still have lots of pleasant days with temperature up to 22 degrees. My definition of 'freezing' is 0 or below. CBR does get that way in August, but not the Gold Coast or Brisbane.

However, I would agree with someone who said to chop a day off the Gold Coast and Brisbane and spend it in CNS/FNQ. August is a nice time to visit Cairns and FNQ because it's 'winter' and not horribly hot (in fact, CNS/FNQ in August is very nice!) and you don't have the stinger problems either.

The Gold Coast and Brisbane for non-beach, non-golf, non-surfing people are quite boring. Most of the Gold Coast (the south, the north is fine) is quite down-market tourist trap and I really don't see a lot of charm there.

And you are a throwback to where?

This post by Lonely Flyer appears to have no relevance to the thread, or any connection at all with the bensyd text quoted in the post.

Perhaps s/he was having some technology troubles and could edit or have the mods delete the post?

This post by Lonely Flyer appears to have no relevance to the thread, or any connection at all with the bensyd text quoted in the post. I disagree - you have to know something about the culture of Nimbin to understand the post.

Dave

I disagree - you have to know something about the culture of Nimbin to understand the post.

Dave

Well the jokes zoomed miles over my head then!:o:)

Well the jokes zoomed miles over my head then!:o:) The stuff frequently coming out of Nimbin can do that to you! :D

(Joke, Joyce)

Dave

Personally, I wouldn't recommend Nimbin to the OPs — unless they want to see a town full of aged hippie refugees from the 1960s and early 1970s... (No offence to anyone, but that is how Nimbin struck me when I was last there, about six years ago.)

:rolleyes:

First, thanks to all for the information & suggestions. We've talked more with our friend from Gold Coast, who told us that (other than her) we probably wouldn't find all that much we really liked there -- and that we'd be stupid to fly to Australia & not visit Kangaroo Island. So, with a little reading, I've put together a rough itinerary:

Sat: QF 15 LAX-BNE
Sun: en route
Mon: arr BNE; BNE-CNS; settle in to hotel & wander around a bit.
Tues-Thurs: Great Barrier Reef, rainforest, rafting, etc.
Fri: CNS-OOL
Fri-Sun: weekend with friend.
Sun: OOL-SYD; sightseeing in SYD
Mon-Thurs: Sydney area
Thurs pm: SYD-MEL
Fri-Sat: Melbourne area
Sun-Mon: Kangaroo Island (via ADL)
Tues: ADL-SYD-LAX

Comments, suggestions, etc. are welcome...

I have been to Adelaide in August but therapy has now removed the urge to do it again.