Brisbane Travel Forum

We are coming in October for 2 weeks, flying into Brisbane, want to get the Great Barrier Reef in. Is Cairns the best place to go, or is there a more southern part of the Reef to reduce travel? How would you recommed getting from place to place? Renting a car? How are the train systems over there? Any reccommedations on how to get the most in while we're there? Thanks for your help

Brisbane to Cairns is a long way. I'd fly rather than rent a car.

We flew into Brisbane, then to Cairns, down to Sydney and out from there and the domestic flights were included in our international fare. That was quite a saving as domestic air fares in Oz can be high. So if you haven't already booked your flights, see if you can get your internal flights included.

The Barrier Reef stops just about Brisbane so you're in luck! I've heard Lady Elliot Island is lovely and relatively close to Brisbane.
http://www.ladyelliot.com.au/
But from that website it looks like quite an exclusive resort, don't know how much money you wanted to spend.
Moreton Island is very cose to Brisbane but I think it just misses out the Barrier Reef, it has lots of snorkling and nature.
North Stradbrok Island, like Moreton just misses out the GBR, but again has lots of snorkling/diving opportunities. There's whale watching here too.
Fraiser Island is another South Barrier Reef option, here's some more info on the South GBR-
http://www.australianexplorer.com/southern_reef_islands.htm
By the way, I wouldn't say Cairns is the best, just the most popular!
The Greyhound coaches serve, very well, the whole stretch from Cairns to Sydney, there's usually a few a day and they stop off at lots and lots of places on the way. Of course you can't just stop where you wish, as in a car, but also takes the hassle out of driving the long distances.
Good luck.

There are a couple of resorts at the southern part of the Barrier Reef, which makes it unnecessary to go all the way to Cairns. Lady Elliott and Heron. There is an eco tent resort on Lady Elliott, which has undoubtedly developed since I was there many years ago. But, there are still budget option available. Generally fly from either Brisbane or Bundaberg. Heron's resort is more expensive, and its a little further north. There are other islands around, in the Capricornia Bunker group, but none have resorts, and require a permit for camping. No facilities at all - idyllic holiday, but you require all equipment, water etc. No fuel driven motors etc., so no air compressors for scuba.

Lady Musgrave is another option to see the southern part of the reef. You can book the trip from the town of 1770 or Bundaburg. If you want to dive you must go from bundaberg if your interested in snorkeling the I would choose 1770. Since two weeks will slip by quick I wouldn't recommend Cairns unless you fly. You can buy a Qantas pass so you can fly to a couple of detinations and spend more time in each instead of traveling overland great distances.
A nice trip would be to start in Cairns go out to the reef then head up to the Daintree. Afterwards fly to Brisbane or Collangatta airport to spend a couple of days on the gold coast. Then to see some country rent a car or take the bus to Sydney, enjoy the city for the remainder of your stay and fly out.

Just a thought...

My suggestion is to go to Airlie Beach. Right in the heart of the Whitsunday Islands...half way between Mackay and Townsville.

You can fly into Proserpine which is about a half hours drive away. I am sure you could either hire a car or take a bus from there.

Have a great time which ever you choose!...

My suggestion is similar to Lou's, except I would fly from Brissy to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, just off the coast from Airlie Beach. From Hamilton Island you can do a great 3 Great Barrier Reef island tour, the Yellow Submarine and the most famous Whitehaven beach. To fly from Hamilton Island to Sydney you can get a real cheap airfare about $159AU with Jet Star. Here's the link - http://www.jetstar.com/au/index.html
Hope this helps. Cheers, Ann :o)