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Originally Posted by Toula
(Post 36576604)
I do find the Virgin staff to be a bit warmer and friendlier, maybe more genuine, but that's not to say the QF staff were terrible.
I found them friendlier, too. |
Cairns & The Barrier Reef
The primary purpose of my visit was to see The Great Barrier Reef. I had a variety of locations to consider for my base, including Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville, and Bundaberg. After weighing my options, I decided to go for Cairns, which seemed to be the least touristy option.
There are many companies offering tours to the Great Barrier Reef. I meticulously reviewed feedback on platforms like TripAdvisor, Viator, and Google Maps. Ultimately, I opted for a tour with Reef Magic, a company that caught my attention because of its team of marine biologists. All tours typically commence between 8 and 9 in the morning from the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. Even after a week in Australia, I still struggled to adjust to the local time zone. I fell asleep at nine and woke up at five. So, I found it easy to wake up early and was already fully awake by 5. The weather outside was quite unpleasant, with heavy rain pouring down. Unfortunately, I didn't have an umbrella. However, the rain subsided around 6, prompting me to leave the hotel to discover the surrounding area. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c67d3bee5a.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9d4936fd59.jpg As I strolled along the beach, I saw many people running or leisurely walking their dogs. This time of day seemed ideal for such pursuits, considering how scorching hot it could get during daylight hours. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...03fd1b40b7.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4d76ccbe0e.jpg The Cairns Esplanade serves as an excellent spot for observing indigenous wildlife. In contrast to Europe, where one typically visits a zoo to catch a glimpse of these creatures, they are free to roam in their natural habitat in Australia. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e37fe195c3.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2366986d7b.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...91e4b3dd68.jpg Public beach/pool https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...eeed37ccf3.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a3ae1cb27d.jpg Upon arriving at the Fleet Terminal, I was told that there had been a system meltdown. I thought only the BA IT system did that 😁. After some delay, I finally received my ticket and was able to board the catamaran. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3403e7e3cd.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fd603ebd12.jpg I was pleasantly surprised to find that only a few tourists were on the catamaran, and the boat was only half full. The 90-minute boat ride to our final destination felt much longer for some passengers due to the rough, choppy waves, which led to an unusually high number of sick bags being used. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ca25f90833.jpg Pontoon: top deck https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0fc89146ed.jpg Pontoon: top deck Upon arriving at the pontoon, several passengers looked half dead and tried to sleep. I was surprised when we were all handed wetsuits, as I had come prepared with a long-sleeve t-shirt to protect my back from sunburning during snorkelling. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...769a454cd5.jpg Moore reef We had a generous five hours to ourselves, during which we could participate in various activities. These included introductory and certified diving, guided snorkelling tours, snorkelling around the pontoon, helmet diving circuits, glass-bottom boat tours, and a spacious sundeck with comfortable sun loungers. Additionally, the pontoon featured an underwater observatory. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3c8c40cffb.jpg Map https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b45cc7140f.jpg A fish and corals https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e96296f731.jpg Local mascot https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f6a89686d8.jpg Glass bottom boat I made a mistake, I thought I booked a helicopter tour but I booked snorkel safari instead. The staff were incredibly supportive, especially for those who were trying snorkelling for the first time. They offered both basic and advanced snorkelling tours, with the basic tour taking place in the area in front of the pontoon, and the advanced tour venturing a bit further away. Around noon, a buffet lunch was waiting for us to enjoy. Time flew by on the pontoon, and before we knew it, it was time to head back. On the way back, I talked to some of the crew. I learned that one of the crew always stays on the pontoon overnight. The ride back was much better, as the sea was calmer. They even served afternoon tea - some cheese and crackers. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cca61c89a8.jpg Does anyone know the meaning of the green-purple flag? I've asked several people, but they had no clue. After enjoying a quick Passion Fruit Daiquiri at The Pier, I strolled back to my hotel and noticed the same pelicans from earlier, swimming in the sea this time. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ab774c4346.jpg Passion fruit daiquiri https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...351f295d29.jpg Getting ready for Christmas? 😁 The next day, I visited the Botanic Garden in the morning before my afternoon flight. On the way to the garden restaurant, I stopped for coffee at GuYaLa and noticed they had kangaroo on the menu. I couldn't resist and ordered a tropical avocado toast with kangaroo loin. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...867aedeee1.jpg The Botanic Garden is an open park known for its rainforest boardwalk and centenary lakes (saltwater and freshwater). https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0f71a2080b.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cc44e2bf23.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f57954dbcc.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0e2e370c5a.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2ab0197a13.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9bb43225fd.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...05226ab47b.jpg As I finished my walk, I came across an information board where I read about the garden's inhabitants. After that, I decided it was time to head back to the airport. I didn't want to encounter a snake while enjoying my walk. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...254c4d837a.jpg Waiting for a bus or Uber https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1b01019797.jpg Shangri-la 😁 |
I’m surprised that you concluded cairns was the least touristy of those options!
this is the Torres Strait islander flag- one of two indigenous Australian groups (the other being Aboriginal Australians). It is recognised as an official flag of Australia under the flags act. Hopefully the people you were asking were not Australian!! |
I found that info on the Internet, that Cairns is the least touristy. Also when I was in Cairns, I was asked why I didn't go to Port Douglas instead.
Originally Posted by nancypants
(Post 36577884)
I’m surprised that you concluded cairns was the least touristy of those options!
this is the Torres Strait islander flag- one of two indigenous Australian groups (the other being Aboriginal Australians). It is recognised as an official flag of Australia under the flags act. Hopefully the people you were asking were not Australian!! |
Great TR thanks. Last time I was in Cairns was nearly 30 years ago. I will go back although perhaps the reef won;t be as spectacular as it once was,
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Jetstar CNS-BNE (JQ935), A320, Y
Arriving at the airport well ahead of time, I had plenty of time to spare. The baggage drop-off counters didn't open until two hours before the scheduled departure, so I sat on one of the benches and observed the hustle and bustle of the airport. While waiting, I also checked my Priority Pass app to see if any lounges or food options were available. Nada, PP returned "Sorry, we didn't find anything matching CNS/Cairns".
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1b9ce967f0.jpg CNS airport https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ecff52f5d3.jpg Empty checkin/baggabe drop off area At precisely 14:00 (2pm), the check-in counters opened, and I waited in line for a few minutes to drop off my luggage. After passing through security, I did something I hadn't done in a long time - I took the opportunity to explore several stores at the airport. I was astonished by the wide variety of KitKat flavours available. I had always associated unique KitKat flavours with Japan, such as sake, but here I found flavours like yuzu, matcha, and passion fruit. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...728539f564.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...060fc974c8.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...77d41d3391.jpg After exploring another store, I took a break and purchased a refreshing passion fruit lemonade. I settled down near the gate to relax. At 15:20 (3:20 pm), I received a notification from Jetstar that gate 19 was open. Boarding began twenty minutes later. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3237c82646.jpg Meeanjin? Where is that? https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...459bfc2691.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bac14cec1d.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...03247f5b27.jpg I was assigned seat 10F. It felt cramped, like being on a Ryanair flight with minimal legroom. After fifteen minutes, the crew closed the door, and within another ten minutes, we were airborne. Unfortunately, I was seated on the wrong side and missed seeing the reef. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...789ccfb767.jpg View from the window https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0b9b37975c.jpg View from the window The crew arrived with the trolley and started selling food and beverages as soon as the seatbelt sign was off. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8e1cb076d1.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9770556b8c.jpg To my surprise, the crew informed me that I had a $15 credit and could choose something from the menu. I decided to go for BBQ almonds and a glass of white wine. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3f2c4c72e3.jpg After a smooth and uneventful flight, we arrived at the gate in BNE. On my way to find Uber, I noticed signs for unfamiliar airlines, sparking a desire to experience their services if I had more time for travel. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fb7fdcef98.jpg Once I got my luggage, I booked an Uber and followed the signs to the dedicated stand. The ride to the hotel only took 25 minutes.https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8ad8a6d02b.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b5aa66181d.jpg Edit: forgot to mention wifi and entertainment onboard: https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6fe34e338d.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e182be8ed5.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c827468f84.jpg |
“Meeanjin? Where is that?”
The only place I recognised on that departure board was Sydney! |
Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36580001)
“Meeanjin? Where is that?”
The only place I recognised on that departure board was Sydney! |
Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36580001)
“Meeanjin? Where is that?”
The only place I recognised on that departure board was Sydney! Looking forward to the Brisbane part of your visit VorelNaCestach Damn beaten by the Mod |
Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36580001)
“Meeanjin? Where is that?”
The only place I recognised on that departure board was Sydney!
Originally Posted by eightblack
(Post 36580095)
Aboriginal word for "Brisbane". Or BrisVegas for the cultured people who live in Melbourne and Sydney...
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Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central
I don't have much to say about this hotel. I didn't even plan to write about it but I saw that atcodave plans to visit Brisbane next year so this may help to decide whether to stay here or not.
They were running a special promotion, and I got the chance to spin a wheel. I ended up winning a voucher for a complimentary drink. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0dfb84e397.jpg View from the street https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c59b801694.jpg Try your luck :) https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e06a41af81.jpg I was upgraded to a higher floor (11th). It didn't matter to me as I didn't plan to spend much time in the room. When I entered the room, I found the air conditioning was set to 18°C, much colder than I prefer. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9bd1aff0f9.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cb784aed52.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2f807dd07e.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...76fda74fa3.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cb2ad6956c.jpg As I explored nearby dining options on Google Maps, I was disappointed to find that most places were closed due to it being Sunday evening. The only available dining option was the hotel restaurant, where I received a welcome letter offering a 15% discount. I decided to try the fish and chips, hoping to compare it to the British version. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1b2df08cba.jpg The dish did not come with the traditional mushy peas and tartar sauce; instead, I was served mayonnaise and ketchup. No offence, dear Australian readers, but this was probably the worst fish and chips I've ever had. Additionally, the discount code in the welcome letter did not work as expected. :). https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fc61a96add.jpg View from the room (sunrise) https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...eacc9e9ab3.jpg View from the room |
take NJE off your list as they only do mine charters
you may want to consider Skytrans, Hinterland, Airnorth (ex CNS) and FlyPelican (ex somewhere further south- CBR maybe others). Next time |
Very kind of you to share the hotel just for me, appreciate it👍
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Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
The main reason to visit Brisbane? Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, of course.
I started my day with complimentary breakfast and coffee. I am not sure if they wanted to poison me, but the coffee was unpalatable. Fortunately, I stumbled upon Brisbane's Least Professional Expresso bar near my hotel. I completely ignored the "How to Order" steps and still became friends with the barista. The next day, he remembered my order without me having to say a word. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bc289530a4.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...729ec15eeb.jpg How do you get to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary? By bus, boat, Uber, or car. While sipping on my coffee, I decided to book an Uber. To my surprise, the driver accepted my request within just 2 seconds, and the app displayed that the driver was already waiting for me. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...59c0f6e24b.jpg I had purchased my tickets online. However, there were multiple ticket machines available at the sanctuary. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a1c928628e.jpg As the staff scanned my ticket, they reminded me to check out all the activities. While most people typically grab a map and start from the first number. On the other hand, I didn't even look at the map and started from the end. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5e70f48278.jpg Map https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6cad730911.jpg How far is London? I made my way to the crocodile and lizard exhibit as my first stop. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...92ebc6b627.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c3a33a88e9.jpg Sunbathing time In the next area, I encountered red and eastern grey kangaroos, as well as swamp and red-necked wallabies. Visitors had the opportunity to feed them. I had anticipated a quiet Monday morning, but it was quite the opposite. Numerous children were enjoying themselves by feeding the animals. The wallabies seemed frightened by the kids and attempted to flee as far away from them as they could. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4b49dc0bd0.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...859aec0855.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8a2fc27037.jpg Southern Cassowary After the raptor show at 10:30, I decided to skip the sheep dog show and went to the main koala exhibit instead. On the way there, I stopped at the amphibian and reptile habitat. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f09d661ce1.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f6d61f94f2.jpg Koalas could be spotted everywhere, making it difficult to overlook them. Before my visit, I learned that koalas are no longer handed to people to hold and take photos with. Instead, the koalas remain in the trees, and people can only touch them. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...96525a752e.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f31c068d2d.jpg Nap time https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6286ce0f37.jpg Oh, hello there After hours of walking, I was quite hungry. I decided to take a break at the Koala Cafe, which had a limited food selection. However, the unique feature of the cafe is that visitors can enjoy their meals while observing adorable koalas. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b0a578c81f.jpg Chicken burger After that, I continued exploring the sanctuary and saw several other animals. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...41fadbe27e.jpg Laughing Kookaburra https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c1ec1389a7.jpg Tasmanian devil https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0477300f37.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7bbc577cb7.jpg |
Great report.
We went to Australia for the first time this year and once there, flew SYD-CNS, CNS-BNE and OOL-SYD. Like you, wanted to get to Uluru but couldn’t make it work with flight timing and limited days. many highlights, but a sightseeing flight over the reef from CNS was spectacular, as was the snorkeling day trip with on a “smaller” boat that went to Michaelmas Cay and one other spot. Already planning our next trip. |
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