Brisbane Travel Forum

Hi!
I will be in Brisbane to attend a conference in February. I have 7 days in the city centre at conference related events, but I have 3 free days afterwards and I want to make the best of them.
I am 24 years old, a marine biologist, I love to SCUBA dive, love nature and the outdoors.
I definitely want to spend one day Scuba diving (the Great Barrier Reef -OMG!), and i am thinking about checking out Underwater World as well (I work with turtles and they have a turtle rehab program that I want to check out).
Can anyone recommend a dive company or location that I should check out?
Where is the best place in the area to see some of the native wildlife? What about spectacular natural scenery?
What else would you recommend I do with my limited time? What do you consider a must see in this area of the country?
Also whats the best way to get to these places, and can you help me budget for meals and transport?
I know thats a lot of questions, but I would really appreciate your help!
Michelle

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Michelle,
Was just in T&T a few weeks ago! Got some diving in up there.

The diving options out of Brisbane are not what you want. You'll need to fly north to Cairns. You can either stay in Cairns or continue further north to Port Douglas (a bit more expensive, but quieter if that's what you're looking for). If you want to dive, you cannot do this as a day trip from Brisbane, you'll have to spend time in the north.

If you stay close to Brisbane, there are lots of national parks around the area and things in the city. Lots of younger people go down in direction of Byron Bay for some fun.

Hi Michelle, welcome to VT.
You will have to head north for the GBR, but not as far as Cairns. That's about 900 miles away. The reef is about 1200 miles long and comes south to around Rockhampton.Wherever you go you'll need to fly because your time is so limited.
You could of course fly up to Cairns and spend the three days there, a day on the reef and the rest seeing the countryside.
Alternatively, the hinterland on the Sunshine Coast just north of Brisbane is spectacular - the Glasshouse Mountains are amazing.
Wildlife is difficult to see in the wild because it's shy, so a wildlife park such as Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane would be the best place to see and get close to our native animals and birds.
Check out our pages on the areas here on VT for more detailed ideas and suggestions.

If you are locked into flying out of Brisbane to get home, you may not find a return trip to Northern Queensland best use of your limited time especially if you are keen to visit Underwater World. Although I am not a regular diver, I do know that there are some worthwhile dive areas within a couple of hours steaming time from the coast near Brisbane. Check out this site for an idea of what's available: http://www.godive.com.au/des_daydives.htm.
Also there is the sunken HMAS Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast where Underwater World is located. One would expect the people at U-water W would have some inside info on that dive site. Tell 'em you are coming and mention what you want...you never know!!??The Australia Zoo is located on the way to the Sunshine Coast. Provides a great opportunity to see Australian Wild Life and is serviced by public transport from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast so logical to visit either going to or coming back from U-water W.

Hi, you could scuba dive within the Moreton Island Marine Park and at Stradbroke Island. Other daytrips may include the HMAS Brisbane and the Noosa Reefs (Laguna Bay).

You can view Brisbane wildlife at:
Alma Park Zoo at Dakabin (www.almaparkzoo.com.au)
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary at Fig Tree Pocket (largest in the world!)
Walk-About Creek Wildlife Centre in the Brisbane Forest Park
Feed possums at night in the City Botanical Gardens
Meet dolphins at Tangalooma on Moreton Island
Feed Crimson Rosellas and King Parrats at O'Reilly's in the Lamington National Park
Australia Zoo with its crocs, Indian elephants and a lot more.

Public transport is adequate, but it'll probably be best to rent a car to visit areas such as the Lamington National Park.

Lots of excellent Asian restaurants where you can get a good meal for about $10-12 Australian.

Hi Michelle & as Colin said, welcome to vt (Hi Colin :o) This is a great site, so stick around and have some fun! I'd go with what Johan said. I think you'll find that in the GBR the weather might not be too good in February....probably lots of rain. I'll second Johan's Straddie (Stradbroke Island) idea.
In fact I just googled diving Stradbroke Island and came up with these good suggestions -

http://www.underwater.com.au/gallery.php/location/brisbane_and_surrounds
http://www.straddiedive.com.au/
http://www.divingthegoldcoast.com.au/index.asp?PageID=animal&NextType=latest&CritterID=3133
http://www.stradbroketourism.com/stradbroke.htm

Hope this helps.....& don't forget to come back to vt & share your holiday pix with us all :o)
Cheers,
Ann.