My wife and I are from Scotland and in September 2013 we will be visiting our daughter who lives in Townsville. We plan to fly home from Brisbane and I would like to drive down there from Townsville as the last part of our holiday, taking up to 5 days. I'm told we should stop at Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays. How long should we spend there and is there anywhere else worth stopping at on the way after that.
We also plan to visit Fraser island - should we be stopping there on route or base ourselves in Brisbane to visit it?
Driving from Townsville to Brisbane
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You could also stop at Gladstone and go out to Heron Island, it's about two hours by ferry, faster by helicopter.
http://www.heronisland.com/
It's a small coral cay so you can go snorkeling straight from the beach, it's right on the lower end of the Great Barrier Reef. They have a semi-submersible to view the coral, kayaking, and lots of tours of the island to look at the birds (there are lots of birds) and the reef at low tide. There's just the resort and a research station, it's very beautiful and relaxing.
I would go for two nights. The water is still a bit cool at that time of year but you have probably been in the North Sea in summer, so this would be mild for you. At that time of year you might see the whales migrating. It's too early for the turtle nesting but you can see the resident population of turtles year round.
Fraser Island from Brisbane is a LONG day trip. Stay in Hervey Bay.
We have just returned from there. We did the one day Hummer Tour. It was excellent.
http://fraserexperience.com/new/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=29
We also did the Day trip to Lady Musgrave Island. BRILLIANT! It depend on how much of the reef is enough for you.
http://www.lmcruises.com.au/
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check them out.
Whitsundays is perhaps the most beautiful place you can go. I once did a three day sailing trip. I would recommend that to anyone.