GBR - go or drop?
 

Hi. Currently a trip to Port Douglas and GBR is in the itinerary. Time is mid Oct. However after reading some reports about rough seas I am no longer sure if we should do this.

Reason - we have my parents 2 seniors who will get very tense, and I might get hysterical if it gets too rough I am quite ashamed to admit ( when we ventured into the Tasman sea on our Nz trip for about 5 minutes, I was desperate to get out, so really not sure 90 minutes under such circumstances) Husband would be the calm but not sure about our little girl, she might get influenced by my fear.

Nobody can predict what the weather would be like that day and yet it seems such a shame to go to Australia and not visit the reef. So quite torn about this.

What should we do? Go there and if good weather venture out to reef else replace with a visit to Daintree? Or just visit some other part of Australia instead?

If we do go it will be on Quicksilver.

Any thoughts on this?

I can relate, as I get horribly sick just looking at water.

Why not compromise - husband and little girl can head out by themselves while you and your parents stay on land. Little girl can discover firsthand and completely uninfluenced by you whether or not she likes the sea.

I've lived in Australia for six years and began visiting in the 90's - I have no regrets whatsoever for not visiting the GBR or Uluru or other places the tourist brochures tell me that I must visit. Don't buy into the marketing - it's YOUR holiday, you should do what works for YOU.

One very expensive option is to take the heli both ways. Of course if the weather is making the sea rough it may not be conducive to a helicopter ride!

I'd take Melnq8's suggestion. Hire a car / take a tour & do something else while your husband & daughter explore the reef.

There are so many interesting places to go up there that you certainly wouldn't be settling for 2nd best in doing your own thing for the day. And they wouldn't be worried about you getting sick on the boat if it were a bit rough. Perfect solution IMO

I agree with Mel: do what interests you. I've been to Oz 5 times and also have never seen the GBR (although I love snorkelling) and Uluru. Why on earth would you choose to do something that could make you hysterical with fear, and be uncomfortable for your parents? Each to their own.

Agree North Queensland has plenty to offer besides the reef. That being said, the reef is pretty spectacular if seen under the right conditions, i.e., calm seas and sunshine. So it's always a crap shoot booking reef day trips.

So one thing to consider would be an island stay for a few days. Heron, Lady Elliot and Lizard islands offer resort accommodation with the reef very close at hand. All are accessible via boat, plane or helicopter. This option would obviously require significant adjustments to budget and itinerary - Heron and Lady Elliot are not close to PD for example. I'v been to Heron Island several times - it has always been one of my favorite places in Australia!

Hi kdd,
And just seen this post! I think the other posters have come up with a great solution for you.
While your husband and daughter are visiting the reef, you and your parents could take a tour to the Tablelands or even to the Undara Lava Tubes - both very worthwile trips that I could repeat. Or perhaps a trip to Cape Tribulation - again a worthwhile trip I would repeat. Many people recommend Mossman Gorge as an amazing place to visit - it's on my list of places to go next time.