Substitute for GOR
 

I need some quick advice:

I am in Canberra and was planning on flying to Melbourne on Wednesday to spend 3 days driving the Great Ocean Road. However, it is supposed to be rainy and cool all three days; doesn't sound like a fun holiday. So I have from Wednesday through Saturday to go some place in Australia. I am in Canberra until Wednesday, then need to be back in Melbourne by Saturday.

I have already been to Uluru and Sydney (twice), and going to Perth in February.

Considering Brisbane/Gold Coast (direct flight from Canberra to Brisbane). Potentially Cairns/GBR.

Other suggestions or ideas?

Honestly, you are less than 2 hours from a lovely coast in Canberra. Drive to Bateman's Bay and south to the Sapphire Coast. It's a stunning part of the country.

Or you could drive north to Jervis Bay, Hyam's Beach has the whitest sand in the world. It's also a beautiful spot.

The 'Grand Pacific Drive' is basically going north to Sydney, at which point you could fly to MEL. The GPD is Sydney's answer to the GOR.

It's too hot up in Cairns for me at this time of year. And NSW has just as much beauty not far from where you sit. :)

Agree. IMHO the NSW mid south coast is better than the GOR. And you have a few days.
Go to Braidwood / Batemans Bay and back via Bega / Coma.
If you drive off the main road and down small roads to the coast can find some nice places. Can be just you and few old guys fishing.
https://www.southcoast.com.au/
https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast

Unfortunately it looks like I was too slow. No one way rentals from Canberra for my dates.

Thinking I'll do Brisbane and Gold Coast instead.

You could do a round trip from Canberra and see plenty.

If you do fly to BNE, I'd recommend the Sunshine Coast over the the Gold Coast. At least if you want natural beauty. The Gold Coast is pretty but in a very developed sort of way.

So rental car Canberra - coast - Canberra - then fly to MEL. Is a short flight.
Airlines are QF VA & Tiger :eek:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canberra_Airport

Or drive to Merimbula (one way hire) then fly (have not checked price or schedule)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merimbula_Airport

We are trying to get you to visit the NSW coast and not spend hours/$$$ in an aircraft

Edit
Route link ---> https://goo.gl/maps/9VJs7We6XfD2
You will not regret this.
SE Queensland is very commercialised

OK. its 3pm Wednesday. Weather in Melbourne is OK. Good for driving.

What did you end up doing?

I ended up booking a flight to Brisbane and rented a car. Spending the night here, then driving to Surfer's Paradise tomorrow for two nights -- staying at the voco hotel on points (formerly Watermark). Spend part of one of the days at Springbrook Park. And relax.

I appreciate the feedback from the forum (even if I went with my own plan). I really just wanted some nicer weather (I live in Seattle; the thought of rain just was too much).

OK. Enjoy the trip. Springbrook is good
But as post 5, better going north and not south to the Gold Coast/Surfers.
To me Gold Coast/Surfers is uninspiring and not what Au is about.