Three free days in Australia mid-June - where to dive the barrier reef?
May 24, 2017, 1:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PacNW (SEA)
Programs: AS, IHG and post-loyal
Posts: 523
Three free days in Australia mid-June - where to dive the barrier reef?
I'm in Australia for two weeks for work, mostly Sydney but a few days in Melbourne. First time to Australia and just found that work agenda ending early so I'll get a few days off (Wed/Thurs-Sat) before returning for a flight home on Sunday.
I'd like to dive the barrier reef before it's gone and perhaps do a bit of a road trip. I figure I'll only get in 2-3 dives (I'm PADI certified but a beginner) so would like location(s) with some scenery hiking, snorkeling, good restaurants, excellent coffee and loungeability after a crazy stretch of work & travel. Can folks recommend where to go and some logistics? Basic questions:
Thanks all!
I'd like to dive the barrier reef before it's gone and perhaps do a bit of a road trip. I figure I'll only get in 2-3 dives (I'm PADI certified but a beginner) so would like location(s) with some scenery hiking, snorkeling, good restaurants, excellent coffee and loungeability after a crazy stretch of work & travel. Can folks recommend where to go and some logistics? Basic questions:
- Cairns, Port Douglas, ??? on a road trip or just pick one good spot as a home base?
- Good idea to rent a car? I really like the idea of a road trip if a few places to see
- Or should I head to the Whitsundays? I've heard great things but expect that would be the only stop
- All reccos welcome - particularly for itineraries & dive operators
- Happy to be pointed to other threads - search is not my friend right now
Thanks all!
May 24, 2017, 4:43 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SYD, Australia
Programs: VA Silver, QF FF, Priority Club
Posts: 923
Road trip is not a good idea with that short amount of time. Australia is a big place.
Fly into CNS and go to Port Douglas, the road between CNS and PD is spectacular once you pass Palm Cove (30 mins north of CNS).
A car is handy if you want to go through the hinterland which is nice.
Remember the restrictions on flying after diving and time your dives accordingly.
Fly into CNS and go to Port Douglas, the road between CNS and PD is spectacular once you pass Palm Cove (30 mins north of CNS).
A car is handy if you want to go through the hinterland which is nice.
Remember the restrictions on flying after diving and time your dives accordingly.
May 25, 2017, 10:50 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PacNW (SEA)
Programs: AS, IHG and post-loyal
Posts: 523
Thanks, I meant a mini road trip around Cairns and Port Douglas, e.g. is there another spot in that area good to check out for a hike, food, cool hotel, etc.? Trying to decide between picking up a car in CNS to go around that area vs. fly to Whitsundays and just spend time there.
Good note on flight times - I get stuffed up after flying so I'm cautious on both ends - will be leaving 24 hours. It means I don't get to dive much on business trips.
Good note on flight times - I get stuffed up after flying so I'm cautious on both ends - will be leaving 24 hours. It means I don't get to dive much on business trips.
May 29, 2017, 2:54 am
#4
formerly known as lady1964
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Yorkshire
Programs: BA Bronze
Posts: 1,181
We did the drive from Cairns to PD last year, it took about an hour and was indeed spectacular. We spent 3 nights in PD & 1 night in Cairns before our flight to BNE, we loved PD, felt more 'meh' about Cairns.
We spent a day at Kuranda on the way back to Cairns & would recommend as a place to spend the day or perhaps overnight, you'd need to check if there is an hotel or B&B there but it's an amazing place to spend some time.
We spent a day at Kuranda on the way back to Cairns & would recommend as a place to spend the day or perhaps overnight, you'd need to check if there is an hotel or B&B there but it's an amazing place to spend some time.
May 30, 2017, 8:27 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PacNW (SEA)
Programs: AS, IHG and post-loyal
Posts: 523
This is great.
I just booked two nights at the Sheraton in PD. Would love to get another night but don't think I can swing it with my work schedule and flight times. But Sheraton + Hertz points make this a pretty cheap tack-on.
Any recommendations for a dive operator in PD to go out to the reef?
I just booked two nights at the Sheraton in PD. Would love to get another night but don't think I can swing it with my work schedule and flight times. But Sheraton + Hertz points make this a pretty cheap tack-on.
Any recommendations for a dive operator in PD to go out to the reef?
May 31, 2017, 1:09 pm
#6
formerly known as lady1964
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Yorkshire
Programs: BA Bronze
Posts: 1,181
This is great.
I just booked two nights at the Sheraton in PD. Would love to get another night but don't think I can swing it with my work schedule and flight times. But Sheraton + Hertz points make this a pretty cheap tack-on.
Any recommendations for a dive operator in PD to go out to the reef?
I just booked two nights at the Sheraton in PD. Would love to get another night but don't think I can swing it with my work schedule and flight times. But Sheraton + Hertz points make this a pretty cheap tack-on.
Any recommendations for a dive operator in PD to go out to the reef?