Already have a flight booked for the week between Christmas and New Year's in Sydney.

But fares are very good right now for first week of September. Obviously no use in going to Sydney twice but I would think about flying to Brisbane or Cairns from Sydney. Would have 4-5 days on the ground in Australia.

Do either of these destinations make sense in September or would it be too cold, rainy?

I'm not interested in diving but I would imagine there are boat tours that let you see the Great Barrier Reef? Would those services be operating in September?

September is a great time for the Cairns area. There will definitely be boats operating.
I'd choose Cairns over Brisbane.

Reef boats operate at all time of year out of Cairns and Port Douglas, the only thing which may stop them for a day or so is a summer wet season cyclone, and that's not going to happen in September which is only just after winter and is high season; Cairns is in the tropics where weather is far warmer than September in Brisbane which is some 1700kms south.

Thanks, Frommers said something about how if you do dive, you will have to have been in Cairns for at least 24 hours after getting off the flight?

Besides the reef what else to keep you occupied in the area? Worth renting a car to take some day trips?

It's the other way around scrb11, you need to leave time AFTER diving and before flying, the length of time depends on the depth of the dive. See www.prodive.com.faq.html This of course does not apply to snorkelling - introductory dives are available for beginners. Assume you're not a certified diver.

Apart from the reef there's enough to do and see in FNQ to keep you occupied for weeks, suggest you get hold of a good guide book (Frommers has some information) or do some searching here. Many trips are self drivable although often you'll benefit more from a knowledgeable driver/guide.

I am flying to Sydney from US in Oct. so let me know how the trip is, I would appreciate any info. I have been researching since Jan and just getting to know the area ! Planning to spend a lot of time in the Cairns area. Thanks

Robynhar: LAX - Sydney is an easy flight, only about 14 hours and overnight. So, glass of wine, dinner, movie, book, sleep & you're waking up for breakfast. Use www.seatguru.com
to check seat locations & pre-select the best you can.

Pat Woolford says:
Apart from the reef there's enough to do and see in FNQ to keep you occupied for weeks, suggest you get hold of a good guide book (Frommers has some information) or do some searching here. Many trips are self drivable although often you'll benefit more from a knowledgeable driver/guide.
I have been to Cairns and surrounds about 15 times and still have not seen everything that I would like to do. Its a fabulous area with such a diversity of flora and fauna that one month would not be too long.