Barrier Reef Itinerary Help/Feedback - 5.5 days in mid October
 

Ok, so as part of a larger trip, I only have 5.5 days to visit Queensland and Barrier Reef. I'm struggling because there is so much I want to do but doubt I have time for all. I don't want to push too much, or spend too much time traveling, but want to push the right amount.

I will be departing Byron Bay on Day 1, and I have to be back in Brisbane on Day 7 to fly out at 11:30 am. Day 8 fly out.

I'm really torn because I want to go to Fraser Island, Whitsundays, Port Douglas (see barrier reef at least on day trip, whitewater rafting, Port Tribulation, Tablelands, Daintree...)

Options - making my head hurt thinking about this.

First, should I go to Whitsundays over Fraser?

Second, please help!

Option 1 - Fraser to Cairns to Whitsunday
Day 1- Drive to Fraser day 1 - get out on island for tour and stay overnight
Day 2- Fraser explore most of day drive to Brisbane fly to Cairns
Day 3 - Cairns/Port Douglas - Barrier Reef Tour
Day 4 - Port Douglas - Daintree/Cape Tribulation
Day 5 - Barrier Reef/Tablelands
Day 6 - fly to Airlie Beach/Whitsundays
Day 7 - Whitsundays - fly back to Brisbane @2:30

Options 2 - Cairns to Whitsundays - skip Fraser
Day 1 (Sun) - Fly to Cairns (From Brisbane)
Day 2 (Mon) - Daintree/Cape
Day 3 (Tues) - Barrier Reef/Tablelands???
Day 4 (Weds) - Barrier Reef
Day 5 (Thurs) - fly to Airlie Beach/Whitsunday
Day 6 (Fri) - Whitsunday -note boat tours don’t always leave every day - tuesdays?
Day 7 (Sat) - Whitsunday/Hamilton Beach - take 2:30 pm flight back to Brisbane

I have several other possibles, but these are two of the wackiest.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Chris

While I sympathise, I think you are trying to do too much.

I agree, it's too much. I lived in Australia for a year, and visited all those places, but over the course of that year. I was in Whitsundays 4 times (which should tell you something!).

First, are you scuba licensed? If not, look for places with good snorkeling.

Two: what do you want to see more of? Beaches/reef? Tropical forests? Both?

Cairns has both rainforests/reefs. Whitsundays is reef--but the most beautiful white sands and turquoise waters I've ever seen.

Here's what I'd do: I'd recommend Whitsundsays (I recommend it to anyone, you won't be disappointed)for certain. Take a snorkeling/hiking tour (they hit up numerous beaches, and you can do a quick hike and end the day with a meal on a beach).

Then I'd go up to Cairns and explore maybe Fitzroy or Green Island (I prefer Green), you can hike the forest (it's got a protected forest) and enjoy the beaches as well.

I'd then enjoy a day at Cairns, there's a ton to see and a nice nightlife.

While there, you can also take a tour of the Tablelands , and see the Kuranda Markets while up there.

http://www.kuranda.org/

I'll be honest, the drive up to Port Douglas was beautiful, but I didn't think it was any nicer than Cairns. But, I only took a day trip up there and didn't fully explore, so I can't truly attest to what Port Douglas has to offer.

I highly recommend settling for a few places instead of all of them, you'll end up exhausted and not enjoy your time. A year in that area doesn't seem enough for me, looking back. I also have pictures :)

Best of luck planning, please let me know if I can be of any help.

Thanks for the help. I'm still struggling with this. I have various people who are in the Whitsundays camp, and then folks in the Cairns camp. Obviously Cairns offeres a lot more diversity of options.

What is the weather likely to be like in Cairns vs Whitsundays in late Oct? Seems Cairns will be hotter and maybe wetter.

These are good problems, but boy I wish I had 10 or 15 days just for these 2 areas.

Going to toss Fraser off the list.

It's starting to get hotter in Cairns about that time (like US summer). I remember there being a rainy month, but I was south in Townsville at that time. I do remember it being hot, muggy, and me drinking more water than I had ever had in my entire life. Whitsundays are gorgeous, it wouldn't be difficult to stop by for a day or two on your way north. And it's unforgettable, so I'd say do it then head on up to Cairns and explore your options there: reef, forest, city life.