Hello, we'd like to visit the Great Barrier Reef in October. We're trying to decide if we should fly from Sydney to Cairns or to Fraser Coast (Hervey Bay). If we fly to Fraser Coast, we'll probably go to Lady Musgrave Island. Can anyone please tell us how our experience at the reef will be different if we were to go to Cairns instead? We will NOT be scuba diving. It'll be our first trip to Australia. Thanks so much in advance.
2007-09-04 09:28:08 · 5 answers · asked by travelover 2 in Travel ➔ Australia ➔ Other - Australia
I've lived on the fraser coast near rainbow beach, the gateway to Fraser Island, ane beleive me Cairns is SO much better to experiance the Great Barrier Reef.
Snorkeling on the reef is fun and very easy if you choose not to scuba dive. There is also glass bottom boats to take if you don't even want to get wet. http://www.greatadventures.com.au and http://www.quicksilver-cruises.com A day trip out to Green island - Otherwise you can go out on the Outer Barrier Reef on their platform for lunch. Most 'tourism' operators will do pick ups from your accommodation.
Palm Cove and Trinity Beach is very nice to stay at. (15 mins from the city)
Other highlights in Cairns are::: http://www.paronellapark.com.au is worth the short drive out of Cairns
Daintree Discovery Centre - http://www.daintree-rec.com.au
A trip to the Aboriginal Culture Park http://www.tjapukai.com.au (they also do a great night show) and on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. http://www.skyrail.com.au (same car park, right next door to each other)
The skyrail takes you up to the rainforest village of Kuranda. http://www.kuranda.org - or take the skyrail up one way and train back down to the city. Kuranda Scenic Railway http://www.ksr.qr.com.au
See a croc right on top of the casino in the city - http://www.cairnsdome.com.au
Cairns Zoo - http://www.wildworld.com.au
Hartley's Creek Crocodile Farm - http://www.crocodileadventures.com and the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve - http://www.cairnswildlifesafarireserve.com.au
Port Douglas is about a 50 min drive from Cairns city – worth it for the scenery.
http://www.portdouglaseguide.com or http://www.vcentres.com.au/port-douglas
For accommodation in Port Douglas - http://www.portdouglasaccom.com.au
Other things to see in Cairns
http://www.tropicalaustralia.com.au/things_to_do_and_see
http://www.cairnsvisitorcentre.com
http://www.cairnsattractions.com/index.html
Also every Saturday on the Cairns Esplanade is market day, a showcase of local quality stalls as well as local entertainment artists as they showcase their talent. - Worth going .. then spending the rest of the day at the lagoon there.
Have fun on what ever you decide!!
2007-09-04 11:02:32 · answer #1 · answered by • Koala • uʍop ɹǝpun 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lady Musgrave Island is hardly part of the Barrier Reef. It is at the southern extremity and not even in the tropics. It is also long way from Hervey Bay, you will have a long boat trip to get there. The reef is close to the coast at Cairns so you will have a much shorter journey to get to it. There is far more of the reef within easy travel from Cairns and you have a lot more options as far as seeing the reef is concerned. There are also many other things to see round Cairns.
In October you can expect a shower or two in Cairns but the rain is warm and shouldn't stop you seeing anything you want.
2007-09-04 10:34:35 · answer #2 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best place to visit if you want to go to the reef is Cairns by a long shot - there are so many tours and excursions you can take, it's confusing! If you go to Cairns, not only can you visit the reef, but you can go to rainforests, waterfalls, islands, etc... Also, the town itself is beautiful and eventful, so you won't be stuck for things to do!
I would recommend the following excursions to you - I went on them and found the people I met extremely welcoming, and comforting as I had never snorkelled before and was very scared!
Ocean Free - sail and cruise the reef: http://www.oceanfree.com.au/
Raging Thunder:
http://www.ragingthunder.com.au/
Green Island:
http://www.greenislandresort.com.au/
2007-09-04 09:41:18 · answer #3 · answered by rozybb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you lucky buggars. the reef near cairns is larger and has more to see, down near lady musgrave it's starting to peter out a bit. Fraser island and lady musgrave are gorgeous places, I've been to Fraser many times and cairns. that whole coastline is lovely, so much to see, i hope you've allowed yourselves enough time. have a good holiday.
2007-09-06 02:05:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did that!!! You HAVE TO go toe Airlie Beach and take a snorkel cruise of the Whitsundays. It is so much better than doing it in Cairns. Cairns is all swimming with other people.
2016-04-03 03:32:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋