OK...the BIG trip: Australia.

[Helfrichs Chic]

So we've done a few cruises and another booked for January but its not enough. Don't get me wrong, its a BLAST (except the $1000 bar tabs LOL) but we want something more....authentic. It was down to Fiji or Australia and we decided Australia. We want to stay for about 2 weeks or so and want to go somewhere that's NOT too touristy. I was told by a buddy that Cairns is fantastic with lots to offer and fantastic dive sights. Does anyone have any input? There are SO many places that look awesome its almost impossible to decide. We want culture, beaches and unbelievable diving. I want to feel like I am nowhere close to home and don't care to see the opera house really, I want something......remote. If anyone has been or knows someone who has been please LMK. Thanks!!!

p.s. I REALLY wanna do a shark feeding dive!!! Ive been to Cayman, Belize, Honduras, Cozumel, 3 Bahama Islands, Hawaii, Jamaica, and Catalina and have yet to dive with sharks. I want that to be a part of our Australia experience. :fish2:

 

[Vanpire]

You're gonna love the South Pacific/Indian Ocean. If you think diving in the Carribean and Hawaii were great, wait till you dive in Asia/Australia. It is a whole new world. Just came back from diving in Bali and it was lots of fun.

I have never been to Australia, and I am sure you will get opportunities to dive with sharks. Sipadan (Malaysia-Borneo) was a great place to see sharks.

 

[tcamos]

Lucky you! What a great opportunity. Please return with awesome video of sharks!

 

[reefstew]

Australia is on my bucket list. Only problem is their is not enough $$$ in my bucket to get me their. Have fun & take lots of pictures.

 

[relaxednature]

Ok have to agree with Vanpire, we go to the south Pacific every year and I have never seen anything like it... we Love Fiji and Tahiti though, so hopefully some day you can make it there.. for Australia check out the Queensland area, or maybe Lord Howe Island.. though it was on the cover of Budget travel magazine this month.

 

[Fig70g]

I have been to Au twice now, amazing country and amazing people. I traveled the whole east coast for 6 mo on my 2nd trip, basically being a vagabond sleeping in hostels or right on the beach and traveling town to town.
Cairns is a great place for getting to the Great Barrier reef, its the main jump off point and you should find a lot of tours/boats going out. I am not an experienced diver but was able to scuba on 2 trips to the reef. Cairns was getting more built up between my trip in 2002 and 2004, so Im sure it is becoming more of a touristy area, but its still the place to be to go see/dive the reef.
Airlie Beach is also an incredible place to visit. I spent 3 days on an America's Cup type race sailboat, living and diving around the Whitsundays (please google images!) I believe you can also reach the Great Barrier reef from here, altho I didnt.
So many places to see and visit! Im excited for your trip!!

 

[rc4kinu]

Your best bet is Cairns. Its a bit touristy but the best hotel selections to choose from. Or just fly there and drive a little along the coast to get away from it all. Great dive options are also available and most start off a bit north from there anyhow. Have fun!!

 

[ssantac]

Australia is on my bucket list. Only problem is their is not enough $$$ in my bucket to get me their. Have fun & take lots of pictures.

I'm in the same boat...hopefully someday.
Bring us back lots of pics.

 

[Jayreefer]

Spent two weeks myself. 5 days in Sydney, not much fun. the rest in Cairns was great! Played on the reef and river raft down the tulli(sp) river. The river rafting was as fun as the reef. Just got to watch for the crocks!

 

[Vanpire]

Hey Adrian: Here is a close encounter. I remember it was hard to take a picture of these guys since they don't like to stay in one place. This picture was taken about 20 meters down.

 

[Helfrichs Chic]

^ Frickin awesome! I cant wait to dive with some sharks!!! BTW you mentioned you rent underwater cameras? How do you do that, just at dive shops? Mines only good for 25 feet.

 

[rafajara1985]

Cairns was a blast. I definitely recommend it over sydney.

 

[Vanpire]

^ Frickin awesome! I cant wait to dive with some sharks!!! BTW you mentioned you rent underwater cameras? How do you do that, just at dive shops? Mines only good for 25 feet.

I rent them a the dive shops, but not all dive shops have cameras for rent. I went diving in Bali and no rental cameras so I couldn't take any pictures. I did ask the people I went diving with to send me some of the pictures they took but....