Hi! My dad (age 70) and I are planning the trip of his dreams for 2 1/2 weeks in early December. He has always wanted to go to Australia (we are from Ohio) and I want to make this the best trip possible. We are planning on going to Uluru - please let me know if it is WAY too hot and more importantly TOO many flies to enjoy that time of year. We are only staying one night. We have planned for 4 days in the Cairns area. My dad is an avid snorkler and would like to spend as much time snorkeling around the GBR. Would we be better to stay on one of the islands given his love for the water? Which island would be best for snorkeling? Is Green Island a good place to spend 4 days? Or - are the boat trips to the reef the best way to see the GBR? Where would be a good choice for a mainland stay if that is a better choice. We are also staying 3 nights on Kangaroo Island. My dad is dying to see kangaroos, koalas, seals out in the wild so we would like to do a wildlife tour of the island. Any recommendations on which tour to take and where to stay would be greatly appreciated. We would like our accomodations to be air conditioned if possible. I also am leaving my husband and 3 children - so I would love to have accomodations with internet service so I can write home every day to let them know what I did and see how they are. I have never been so far from home - nor have I left my kids - so writing home will definitely make things easier. I appreciate any and all help I can get on this - I want to make this trip really special! THANKS!!!!!!

YesteryearAcres, the places you've mentioned so far are fine choices, but I do hope you'll include Sydney as well. It's gorgeous.

Don't stay on Green Island - the reef right around there isn't too good, and from what I saw of the Island it was overpriced. Pt. Douglas is a good spot for reef trips from the mainland (better than Cairns, I think), but I'm sure there are other islands which are a better fit for what you are looking for. Hopefully other posters can help... Yes, Uluru will be hot - and there will be flies. Not sure if it is worth all the travel time for 1 day. Maybe if he has always wanted to see Uluru, you could add another day & take it off of Kangaroo Island portion?

YesteryearAcres, I admit that I keep bagging Kangaroo Island, but if your dad really wants to get up close to native wildlife I must admit that I don't have a better idea. It's just that it's a long way to go and in my opinion the island is not all that interesting. Other posters may have some helpful ideas about where to find marsupials in the wild without cutting into your precious time. If you're locked into KI, at least try to cut your stay to 2 nights, max, and spend some time in the city of Adelaide and the nearby wine-growing area of the Barossa Valley. I agree with Mrsgreen though - better to spend more time in the Red Centre, it's an awfully long way to go for one day - check the map!

Australian marsupials are nocturnal, which means you won't see koalas swinging from branch to branch anywhere you go. Even at night they haven't got the energy for that. A koala in daytime is a grey furry lump in a tree, full stop. Myself, I'd spend a day at Sydney's Taronga Zoo, which is a great place which can be reached by a ferry ride on Sydney's stunning harbour. I might recommend the Western Plain Zoo at Dubbo, in the central west of New South Wales, to some American visitors, but not to you - the area is too much like Ohio.

Incidentally, a state politician claims to have a recipe for pouched koala in bunya-nut satay sauce. I don't believe him - he seems to use it mainly to upset Green members of parliament - but it does sound interesting....

Personally, given your father's interests, I'd spend the time in the Cairns area (and Sydney) - there's enough there to keep you (and him) happy for weeks - run a search on this forum. But my advice is NOT, NOT to go to Green Island - when I was there a few years ago it was owned by a Japanese corporation and was just a crummy means of separating unwitting Japanese tourists from their hard-earned yen. Unless something's changed, don't touch it with a 40-ft barge pole.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll have a great time. Don't worry about being a long way from home: Australia isn't that much different to the USA and we have an good communications network, even in remote areas. You won't have any problems staying in touch. Just bear in mind that if you haved a cellphone it probably won't work here - we use the international GSM standard. If that presents a problem, run a search on this board. You might also want to search on international phonecards, a cheap way to do an ET.

re Kangaroo Island. Look, it's a lovely place but it really doesn't warrant 3 nights out of a very special 2 and a half week trip. It's the sort of place to go when you have lots of time and don't need to make a time v. things-I-wanted-to-experience equation. True all tours will take you to Seal Bay to see the Australian sea lions, and the Koalas at a private reserve - and roos inhabit many picnic spots. So, honestly, one day would be enough. But the getting there will take loads of time and money.
With respect - in the time u have sydney, GBR, and the Centre is a smart plan. Instead of going all that way to SA, while in Sydney go South. There is a beach where kangaroos come out to play (sorry can't remember name - will look it up). And the journey down there would be an adventure in itself. We are talking 3 hours' drive.
Re - the reef. Day trips from Cairns (or Palm Cove or ive

continued ... this site is so sensitive. Palm Cove or Port Douglas, would be the best bet rather than any of the easily accessible islands. If your dad is a real water freak and wants to be immersed in beach/nature culture - then Heron Island may be the place. I haven't been there (I wish ..) but friends in their 60s with an easy going approach (no need for frills) and a love of the outdoors have. I think December may be too early for turtle hatching but - well, one to research, perhaps.

Hi YesteryearAcres,
Wow what a great daughter you are !

Green Island is in my opinion not a place I would care to stay for 1 days snorkelling let alone 4. We had a very disapointing day trip there 2 years ago. Search on this site and there are plenty of threads about it.

Regulars to this site know, I love and adore Palm Cove, its truly a great place to stay and there are trips directly from the jetty to several reefs.
Not sure about the internet in hotels but there was an internet cafe in the little shopping area.

try www.palmcove.net

I was in Australia in December and chose to stay further south as I expected poor weather and stingers, around the beaches, hopefully some of the locals who regularly post here will advise you of that.
I didn't go to Uluru, as I was advised against it due to the excessive heat, but again someone will have a good honest opinion of this.

Good luck

Muck

Hi YesteryearAcres,

Well yes it will be exceedingly hot here in Alice Springs and Ayres Rock at that time of the year. Yes there will be an excessive amount of flies, you will definitely need fly nets. Personally I think you would be better spending your time on the east coast rather than flying out here for one day.

There are plenty of places to see animals in the wild on the east coast, your dad might like to do a breakfast with the kangaroos trip when in Sydney.

There are people on this forum who specialise in giving advice on Sydney so I will not attempted to do the same.

Seing as your dad would like to spend much of the time arounf the GBR then I would suggest that delete Ayres Rock from your itinery and add that day to your GBR experience.

I don't know how old your kids are but it is a pitty you cannot manage to bring the eldest with you as it would add to their appreciation of the world in which they live. Of course if they are very young then that might cause problems with child care provisions.

Great Barrier Reef Islands

This article helped us find out what some of the GBR island options are.
I think the rates are out of date, but the descriptions may help focus you and know where to get more info.

*****************************************

The key is knowing what you want and tallying that with what each resort has to offer.

Our guide goes from south to north. Prices are per person and per night, unless otherwise indicated.

Heron Island
This perfect white-sand coral cay surrounded by lovely lagoons is home to the most remote resort on the reef. Heron is a serious diving and coral snorkelling spot and an eco-tourism resort with an emphasis on education. It's the only island resort where giant turtles can be observed laying their eggs and hatching (December-March). No luxury here, but staff are young, well informed and friendly and conduct excellent free reef walks, snorkelling lessons and ecology talks. The resort has had a $6 million refurbishment.
Name: Heron Island Resort.
Location: outer reef, 70 km north-east of Gladstone.
Access: by large launch from Gladstone once daily, $160 return. Helicopter transfers also available.
Size:200 people.
Appeals most to: families, scuba divers.
Children: welcome, group activities.
Highlights: access to some of the world's best coral reefs.
Drawbacks: Not much to do in bad weather; meals mostly buffet style.
Cost: from $210, including meals; children 3-14 $90.
Best package: dive deal includes seven nights, a six-day open-water course and meals for $1656.
Contact: phone 1800 737 678, email [email protected], www.poresorts.com.au.

Great Keppel Island
The party place for 18 to 35s. Although the Contiki resort isn't the only place to stay on this large, underrated island - with more than 28 kilometres of coast, 17 pristine beaches, fringing coral and excellent walking tracks - it dominates the island. Ominously named Contiki action planners (CAPs) guarantee to pack your holiday with adventure and fun. Nearly half the guests are singles, so Contiki organises room shares (same sex, of course) if required.
Name: Contiki Great Keppel Island Resort.
Location: Great Keppel Island, near Rockhampton.
Access: boats from Keppel Bay marina at Rosslyn Bay near Yepoon, with bus connections to Rockhampton airport.
Size: 400-450 guests.
Appeals most to: singles or partying young couples, 18-35 only.
Children: no.
Highlights: excellent all-inclusive package deals; Salt, the nightclub, is the most frenzied singles scene on the reef; great white-sand beaches and coves.
Drawbacks: hardly a lazy holiday.
Cost: $160 twin-share, including meals but not transport (boat transfer $24).
Best package: return flight from Sydney, seven nights, meals and transfers, $1369 twin-share, $1769 single.
Contact: (02) 9511 2200, www.contiki.com.

Brampton Island
For those who want low-key romance in natural surroundings on a reasonable budget. Once popular with active oldies, Brampton now boasts a beautiful new cocktail pool beside a coral reef channel and an improved restaurant and is attracting honeymooners. Other attractions are the walking tracks, sandy coves and a koala colony.
Name: Brampton Island Resort.
Location: 32 km north-east of Mackay.
Access: daily boat from Mackay.
Size: 210 guests.
Appeals most to: 30-plus couples celebrating a honeymoon, romantic anniversary or special occasion on a limited budget.
Children: OK but not encouraged; no care facilities or activities.
Highlights: wonderful location on a small coral-filled passage; excellent bushwalking; magical pool.
Drawbacks: only one restaurant; nightly entertainment can be average.
Cost: $212 twin-share including meals; children 3-14 $90; $90 for return boat transfer from Mackay.
Best package: five nights for $825, all meals (but not air fares).
Contact: 1800 737 678, [email protected], www.poresorts.com.au.

Hamilton Island
Synonymous with the Whitsundays, Hamilton is more a town with shops, bakery, pubs, school, church and 3000 permanent residents. There's a variety of accommodation, from the five-star Beach Club and the classy Reef View Hotel to self-contained apartments and affordable Palm Bungalows. Families love Hamilton as children under 14 stay and eat free and there are free child-care and kids' clubs.
Name: Hamilton Island.
Location: main resort island in the Whitsunday group.
Access: direct flights from Sydney, or ferry from Shute Harbour.
Size: more than 5000 people, including residents.
Appeals most to: families with children, yachties, passing tourists.
Children: welcome.
Highlights: great choice of restaurants, hub of activity in the Whitsundays.
Drawbacks: no coral snorkelling; hard to escape bustle; dubious architecture.
Cost: varies from $104 to $250; no meals included; children free.
Best package: standby rate of $94 (meals extra).
Contact: 1800 075 110, www.hamiltonisland.com.au

Hayman Island
Continually updated (it's just had a $12 million facelift), Hayman remains the epitome of five-star sophistication and style. The resort, a place of marble spa rooms and body wraps, boutiques and signature restaurants, sits amid 400 hectares of rugged bushland. The staff use underground tunnels to remain out of view of the guests. Helicopters, seaplanes and the island's 20-metre dive boat are at guests' beck and call (at a price).
Name: Hayman Resort.
Location: northern island in the Whitsunday group.
Access: motor launch from Hamilton Island or helicopter.
Size: 420 guests.
Appeals most to: corporate executives and international jetsetters.
Children: yes, Kidz Club and creche.
Highlights: impeccable service, no expense spared, pampering, five restaurants.
Drawbacks: expensive.
Cost: $560-$925 a room a night, single or double; penthouses $2000-$4000.
Best package: none.
Contact: 1800 075 175, www.hayman.com.au.

Lindeman Island
Club Med Lindeman Island - now a far cry from its old swinging singles days - has discovered the formula for keeping families entertained. Located on a steep hillside overlooking Kennedy Sound and several deserted islands, it offers everything from sea kayaking and treasure hunts to a circus school where trained trapezists show teenagers how to swing from high-wire equipment. For adults, golf, trips to the outer reef and free French wine with meals.
Name: Club Med Lindeman Island.
Location: southern Whitsundays.
Access: twice-daily ferries from Hamilton Island or fly from Airlie Beach for $60 one way.
Size: 500 guests.
Appeals most to: families with young teenagers.
Children: yes; clubs but no creche.
Highlights: teens' club in school holidays; circus school; golf course.
Drawbacks: many steps and steep pathways; exposed to cool winds in winter.
Cost: standard adult rate $165-$260, including all meals, children 2-3 $55-$65, 4-11 $95-$170 (depending on season).
Best package: $1499 an adult, includes return air fare, five nights, meals, kids' clubs and boat transfers.
Contact: 1800 258 263, www.clubmed.com.au.

Daydream Island
With a new owner, a $40 million refurbishment and after dominating the tourist market for young families for the past five years, Novotel Daydream is trying to change its cut-price kidsville image to more of an upmarket, sophisticated, all-round rest and relaxation resort. Hence the pared down child-care centre and the new spa complex, the new restaurant and the end of free child-care and children's meals. But it's still got the best under-6 creche of all the islands, and families with toddlers and babies still flock there.
Name: Novotel Daydream Island Resort.
Location: Whitsundays, close to mainland, in the Molle group.
Access: ferry from Shute Harbour or from Hamilton Island airport.
Size: 900 guests.
Appeals most to: families with babies and toddlers.
Children: welcome.
Highlights: best health spa of the island resorts; best child-care centres; lovely film screen at the water's edge.
Drawbacks: a small, crowded island; no coral for snorkelling.
Cost: standard room $310 twin-share ($233 over Internet), no meals included.
Best package: Internet deal $189 a couple a night, with buffet breakfast and free use of non-motorised water sports.
Contact: (07) 4948 8488, [email protected], www.novoteldaydream.com.au .

South Molle Island
Famous for its Friday night Polynesian dancing floorshow and seafood feast, South Molle is a good-value, all-round family resort that does everything well but nothing exceptionally. This friendly place is relaxed, almost all food and activities are included in the set prices, and its location on the northern edge of the large South Molle Island means it's usually sheltered and warm in winter, with clear, calm waters.
Name: South Molle Island Resort.
Location: Whitsundays, only 4 km offshore.
Access: by ferry from Shute Harbour and Hamilton Island.
Size: 250 guests.
Appeals most to: families, walkers and some honeymooners.
Children: yes; free clubs.
Highlights: walking tracks; fish feeding; easy access to Hamilton Island, Whitehaven beach and the outer reef; best nine-hole golf course.
Drawbacks: just one restaurant, all meals buffet-style.
Cost: $237; $55 children full board (3-14).
Best package: seven nights for the price of six.
Contact: 1800 075 080, www.southmolleisland.com.au.

Palm Bay Hideaway
This tiny development is tucked behind palm trees on the western edge of Long Island. Owned by two Melbourne property developers and restaurateurs, it's easy to see why this small, low-key resort is a favourite of Gourmet Traveller devotees. Just 20 simple, elegant cabins line Palm Bay, each with hammock but no phone or TV. A just-completed pavilion houses the stylish lounge, bar and La Riviere restaurant. Cruising yachts tie up to coconut palms for dinner. The Whitsundays' hottest romantic and lazy-days destination.
Name: Palm Bay Hideaway.
Location: Long Island, Whitsundays.
Access: ferry from Shute Harbour six times daily.
Size: 42 guests, plus visiting yachts.
Appeals most to: couples, honeymooners, gays.
Children: not encouraged, charged full rate.
Highlights: arrival by dinghy; sunset drinks; great pool; simple cabins.
Drawbacks: jellyfish and stingers prevent swimming from November to May.
Cost: $200 a cabin a night, including breakfast.
Best package: honeymoon package of $2500 a couple includes five nights, cocktails on arrival, breakfasts, candlelit dinner for two, seaplane snorkelling trip to outer reef.
Contact: 1800 095 025, www.palmbay.com.au.

Club Crocodile
This budget resort has a tired feel but the location is magnificent - facing north from Long Island, fringed by coral sands. It's a perennial favourite of touring families on a budget, and backpackers. Children stay free and all three buffet meals are included in its good-value rates.
Name: Club Crocodile.
Location: Long Island, Whitsundays.
Access: by ferry, six times daily from Shute Harbour.
Size: 490 people.
Appeals most to: budget-conscious families.
Children: welcome, stay free; free kids' club (4-14).
Highlights: nightly entertainment (karaoke, fire-twirling beach party, cane-toad racing).
Drawbacks: just one restaurant, all meals are buffet; stingers from November to May.
Cost: $99 twin-share, including meals.
Best package: $1750 a couple with two children, five nights, meals, boat transfers and kids' club.
Contact: (07) 4946 9400.

Whitsunday Wilderness Lodge
There are never more than 16 guests and the emphasis is on living within the environment of this national park. It's not cheap, but the meals prepared in the beachside pagoda and around the outdoor campfire are like a private dinner shared with some fascinating international visitors.
Name: Whitsunday Wilderness Lodge.
Location: Paradise Bay, South Long Island, Whitsundays.
Access: helicopter from Hamilton Island.
Size: 16 guests.
Appeals most to: professional couples interested in the environment.
Children: no.
Highlights: complete isolation; feels like a private retreat; sailing and snorkelling trips on the resort's yacht; Myrtle, the lodge's beach-loving kangaroo.
Drawbacks: no swimming pool; despite advance warning, some visitors may find it too basic.
Cost: $399 including meals, helicopter transfer and boat trips; minimum four-night stay.
Best package: none.
Contact: (07) 4946 9777, www.southlongisland.com.

Magnetic Island
Just offshore from Townsville, "Maggie" - as the locals know it - is another beautiful island with many options for the budget-conscious. Dotted with shacks and aging hippie homes, it has a slight '60s feel although its first high-class resort and marina is just being built (controversially) at Nelly Bay.
It has lovely white-sand beaches, granite boulders, walking trails and a national park. Most accommodation is self-contained and there's usually no need to book - just arrive by ferry 15 minutes after leaving Townsville, hire a Mini Moke and decide whether you want to stay in style overlooking Horseshoe Bay at the Sails on Horseshoe villas (phone 07 4778 5117) or in cheaper digs. Popular options include Hideaway Budget Resort near the Picnic Bay ferry (07 4778 5166) and the award-winning Magnetic Island Tropical Resort at Nelly Bay (07 4778 5955), where $50 a night will get you a cabin, breakfast and dinner.
Orpheus Island Resort
With just 30 rooms, studios and beach bungalows, there are usually fewer than 40 guests at this tranquil and private luxury resort. Swing in a hammock in front of your cabin, dine under the stars on the jetty or take your own tinnie for a picnic on a deserted beach.
Name: Orpheus Island Resort.
Location: 24 km off the coast, in the Palm Island group, between Townsville and Cardwell.
Access: by seaplane from Townsville or Cairns.
Size: 66 guests.
Appeals most to: international visitors and honeymooners; nearly 40 per cent of guests are back for their second or third stay.
Children: none under 16.
Highlights: award-winning restaurant, especially magical when dining under the stars on the jetty; daily boat excursion to new coral snorkelling spots, private motorised dinghies and seafood picnics.
Drawbacks: the pool is not up to the standard of the other resorts.
Cost: $610-$699 including meals, transfers and activities.
Best package: $3480 Romantic package including six nights and meal and transfers from Townsville.
Contact: (07) 4777 7377, www.orpheus.com.au

Hinchinbrook Island Resort
Hinchinbrook is all about peace, solitude and beautiful surroundings. It is perched on the northern tip of the world's largest island national park. One of Australia's best hiking tracks, the Thorsborne Trail, ends at the resort's door, while rare dugongs graze the seagrass beds nearby and Sly the giant groper lives under the pier. This laid-back resort, well known for treetop lodges and more basic beachside cabins, is the perfect place to bliss out with a book and admire the view.
Name: Hichinbrook Island Resort.
Location: off Cardwell.
Access: daily boat from Cardwell.
Appeals most to: couples and families who want a low-key, lazing holiday, enjoy walking in national parks and prefer friendly rather than invisible staff.
Children: welcome, but no kids' club.
Highlights: golden soft sand of Orchid Beach, best chance of seeing dugongs, solitude.
Drawbacks: not many.
Cost: $354 twin-share in a treehouse, including meals; children $119; cabins $150 a night, sleeping five, no meals included.
Best package: 25 per cent off for a week's stay.
Contact: 1800 777 021, www.hichinbrooklodge.com.au.

Bedarra Island
This elite, discrete, exclusive and expensive small resort promotes itself as the place to go when you don't wish to be found or need to escape. It guarantees anonymity, combined with a room (a villa, actually) and stunning views. This is your best chance of spotting a celebrity. The 15 small villas all have spas, balconies and split-level living.
Name: Bedarra Island Resort.
Location: near Dunk Island, off Mission Beach.
Access: fly to Dunk Island from Cairns, and a motor launch awaits you.
Size: 30 guests.
Feel: quiet, expensive retreat.
Appeals most to: wealthy and world-weary celebrities and jetsetters.
Children: none under 16.
Highlights: has more secluded beach coves than it does guests, finest wine cellar on the Queensland coast.
Drawbacks: expensive.
Cost: $890-$1400 including transfers, food and open bar.
Best package: $3750 Romantic Moments deal includes five nights, meals and drinks, boat transfers and massage.
Contact: 1800 737 678, [email protected], www.poresorts.com.au.

Dunk Island
This is the best island for children aged between 6 and 12, with an excellent kids' club run year round and at meal times, to give adults some real down time. It's friendly, relaxed and large, and there's plenty for all the family, from golf, tennis, water skiing and parasailing to bushwalking, kayaking and horseriding on the beach. The island is now famous for its bright blue butterfly logo.
Name: Dunk Island Resort.
Location: 3 km off Mission Beach.
Access: direct flights from Cairns, or ferries from Mission Beach.
Size: 300 guests.
Appeals most to: families with children under 12.
Children: yes; kids' club all year round for 3-12 years olds, nominal fee.
Highlights: the connecting outer reef trip to Beaver Cay; the rainforest walk to the top of Mt Kootaloo; horseriding on the beach, excellent kids' club.
Drawbacks: little good coral snorkelling.
Cost: $228-$362 twin-share including breakfast and dinner; children 3-14 $80.
Best package: $780 Holiday Plus package, five nights plus breakfasts and dinners.
Contact: 1800 737 678, [email protected], www.poresorts.com.au.

Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy offers extraordinarily good value for young people or couples who don't mind sharing a bunkhouse or bathrooms. The island is a large and mountainous national park only 45 minutes by ferry from Cairns. It's ideal for lazing in the sun, kayaking, dive courses, nudist beaches, swimming and snorkelling.
Name: Fitzroy Island Resort.
Location: south-east of Cairns.
Access: 45-minute ferry service three times daily from Cairns.
Size: 150 guests.
Appeals most to: backpackers in the bunkhouses, couples and families in the cabins.
Children: yes, but no kids' club
Highlights: sound of waves breaking on coral pieces outside cabins at night, excellent place for a three-day PADI scuba course, nudist beach.
Drawbacks: beach in front of resort is coral pieces; stingers a potential problem.
Cost: $220 a cabin a night, bunks $31.
Best package: $325 PADI three-day course includes bunk accommodation, equipment and instruction.
Contact: (07) 4051 9588, www.fitzroyislandresort.com.au.

Green Island
Best for a quick trip to the reef, this small and beautiful coral cay off Cairns is owned by Daikyo, the Japanese trading house, and used as a staging post by hundreds of Japanese tourists on day trips. It's not a place to unwind, more somewhere to stay if you have a couple of days free and want to dive and snorkel straight from a coral island. But the five-star resort is secluded and quiet when the daytrippers have gone.
Name: Green Island resort.
Location: 27 km off Cairns.
Access: high-speed catamaran four times daily from Cairns takes 45 minutes, or helicopter.
Size: 90 guests.
Appeals most to: Japanese honeymooners and wealthy Italians.
Children: welcome, but no kids' club.
Highlights: a crocodile farm, easy access, the excellent Emeralds Restaurant.
Drawbacks: no sea views from the resort.
Cost: $455-$555, plus all meals; children $86.
Best package: $495 Suite Memories package includes dinner and breakfast for two, champagne and chocolates on arrival and one night in top Reef suite.
Contact: (07) 4031 3300 or 1800 673 366, www.greenislandresort.com.au.

Lizard Island
Best experience of them all (at a price). The most northerly resort, right on the outer reef, is endowed with natural beauty both above and below the sea. Magnificent coral, giant clams, white-sand beaches, stunning views, blue seas and warm weather define Lizard Island.
Name: Lizard Island Resort.
Location: 230 km north-east of Cairns.
Access: small plane from Cairns.
Size: 80 guests.
Appeals most to: well-heeled honeymooners, older couples, wealthy American marlin fishermen.
Children: none under 10.
Highlights: paradise found.
Drawbacks: tropical and hot between December and March.
Cost: $640-$1040 including meals and activities.
Best package: $3980 Romantic Moments includes five nights, all meals, champagne and $150 drinks voucher.
Contact: 1800 737 678, [email protected], www.poresorts.com.au.

Main Attractions
* Watch the extraordinary annual coral spawning underwater, usually at night during the November full moon.
* Watch turtle egg-laying and hatching in February and March on Heron Island.
* Take a picnic hamper to a deserted beach on Lizard, Bedarra or Orpheus islands.
* Spend a day being pampered at Daydream Island's glamorous heath spa.
* Swing from the high trapeze at Club Med's circus school on Lindeman Island.
* Travel from Green, Hamilton, Dunk or South Molle islands in a fast cruiser to snorkel the vibrant coral on the Outer Reef.
* Try to spot a dugong in the Hinchinbrook Passage.
* Visit Whitehaven beach in the Whitsundays, ranked among the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world.
* Take a sunset champagne sail with the historic Banjo Paterson schooner from Hamilton Island.
* For a romantic evening, Dine with the Tides under the stars on Orpheus Island's wooden jetty, savouring its award-winning cuisine.
* Camp for as little as $5 a night on a deserted national park island and eat oysters straight off the rocks.
Cut a deal

Most resorts offer cheap standby or so-called "local" rates to keep their rooms full. It is always worth checking at the main tourist information centres of Townsville, Cairns and Airlie Beach which resorts have standby or local deals going.
If you just arrive on the doorstep and are open to options, prices on resorts such as Club Med, Hamilton, Dunk, Brampton and Great Keppel can be reduced by as much as $50 a night, with the best offers being a hard-to-refuse $80 a night including all meals.

WOW! Thank you SO much for all the great information. It is hard to plan a trip that is so far from home and I appreciate all your help. I will take Green Island off of our itinerary and look for another place to stay. My dad does indeed enjoy spending HOURS upon HOURS in the water snorkeling. He is incredibly active for his age. I was worried about the stingers around the resorts in Port Douglas and Palm Cove. My dad would be disappointed if he could not spend the majority of his time underwater. Maybe we should try for Lizard Island? He also is a major nature animal lover. If anyone else has suggestions as to other places that he can get his fill of kangaroos, koalas, seals and perhaps a platypus or two - that would be great. I would love any and all suggestions. We put Kangaroo Island on our itinerary because it seemed the best place to see native australian animals in the wild. He definitely would not be bored with looking at a Koala for an hour! Like I said MAJOR animal lover. If Kangaroo Island would be the best place for wildlife viewing - can you please recommend a touring company or lodging? I will also reconsider the Ayers Rock idea. We were going to fly to Ayers from Sydney and then spend one night at the Outback Pioneer Hotel and then fly from Ayers to Cairns. I think my dad feels he needs to see Uluru. THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!!! I am trying to make this his dream trip!

Kangaroo Island is an okay place but I think 3 days is far too long to spend there, all the attractions can be seen in a day. That includes walking on the beach with the sea lions and looking at Koalas in the trees. I would make it a day trip from Adelaide.

To take in K.I. you will have to fly from Sydney to Adelaide then up to Ayres Rock then Cairns then back to Sydney. That is a lot of air travel for 2.5 weeks. All the wild life except maybe the sea lions can be seen on the east coast which would cut down on the travel time and allow you to spend more time around the GBR.

Do go to Lizard if your Dad loves to snorkel. I have been to five of the islands and my dream is to go back to Lizard to snorkel my days away. We were there previously for one day of a 7-day cruise from Cairns to Thursday Island. Found it to be the best for snorkeling.

We are going to Lizard Island for snorkeling and diving.

For our "animal fix" we are doing a 2 day tour with Jonathan Munro right out of Cairns. Go to www.wildwatch.com.au for more information. We hope to spot platypus, kangaroos and wallaroos in the wild on this tour.

Then a stop at Wild World outside of Cairns to hold a Koala and feed the roos up close.

Here is a website for Kangaroo Island lodging and tour: the-lookout.com.au
We are traveling there in October. You are extremely lucky to be able to do this trip with your father. Have a great time!

Amanda, I think you may have just won the record for the most comprehensive reply ever posted on this board - Alan, Liz and other superposters would know better than me, but 3,376 words looks like a record to me! Great work!

Hi Yesteryear - I agree with Neil and Mucky about Green Island - years ago it was lovely but has suffered with the impact of the resort, cyclones, and too many daytrippers. Frankland Islands (south of Cairns) are still pristine and would make a great daytrip (there is no accommodation) for your Dad. Frankland Islands Cruise and Dive will pick up from accommodation all over Cairns area - http://www.franklands.com

Hey Neil Oz,
I demand a recount, I made it one more than you.....lol


Muck

So Sorry for the long response!

They aren't my words, just an article. I guess I could have pasted in the url.
That would have been too easy though.

= )**BLUSHING**

No need to be sorry, Amanda - I really thought it was helpful stuff and I knew you hadn't laboriously typed it all. I keep forgetting to paste in those little don't-hit-me faces .

Mucky, I didn't count them, Microsoft Word did. Blame that guy in Seattle.

OK - think Death Valley temperatures for Uluru in December and make the decision whether or not to go on that.
As for Islands - Lizard is by far and away the best if you can afford it - if not then I would go to Hinchinbrook Island as that is my idea of a wonderful coral island. OR I would take one of the cruises up the Cape like Loise did PLEASE LOISE WRITE AND TELL US WHETHER YOU LIKED YOUR BOAT TRIP OR NOT - where you would have a bit of everything. Certainly Sydney, NOT K.I, Tasmania would be an option though or if your father can sail a boat you could rent your own around the Whitsunday Islands.