Hi All...

I thought I was on a good track of planning our trip to Australia when a friend who frequents Oz threw a monkey wrench in our plan.

We were originally going to spend three nights in Sydney/Bondi and 6 nights at Thala Lodge where we would go to both the rainforest and GBR. I assumed it makde sense to go to GBR if we were going to come all the way from the states.

Our friend told us it would be blazing hot, stingers, etc. His suggestion was to fly to Brisbane and spend a few days driving to both the Sunshine Coast and Gold coast.

I don't know what to do. I would like to stay on an island for at least a few days if we won't be visiting GBR directly. Heron, Hamilton and Lord Howe came to mind.

If we don't go to Thala, we have 6-7 nights to play with. Please help. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thnak you!!!

Hi, You don't say when your planning to go. You may want to look into the 4 night cruise from Cairns to Cooktown,Lizard Island ,Green island and the ribbon reefs. We just came back from the reef Endeavor with Captain Cook cruises and it was awesome. I don't think you have the same problem with stingers on the Islands or on the outer reef because they migrate from the fresh water rivers to along the coast. We also spent 3 nights at Ellis beach which has a stinger net.

Weasel is correct in saying that boxjelly fish are found on coastal areas, and beaches on coast patrolled by life savers have stinger nets. You'll get box jelly fish anywhere on Qld coast from at least Mackay north in February, which includes Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef is further out.

February is summer in Australia, no hotter at Thala than other Queensland coastal areas - and unless there's a cyclone about an excellent time for GBR. Consider a few days in Atherton Tablelands, its higher elevation ensures that coastal humidity won't be a problem, although Thala is set on a hilltop overlooking Coral Sea, and catches sea breezes.

You should certainly NOT pass up the opportunity to go to the GBR when you go to Australia. Pat gave you some great advice about the weather and the stingers. Yes, the stingers will limit your beach activities to swimming where there are stinger nets, but they won't affect your ability to snorkel or dive on the Outer Reef.
While the beaches of the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast are nice, you can see nice beaches in lots of places. But there's only one Great Barrier Reef--go for it!

Based on advice from this website, I took my family to Syd and GBR last March (first 2 wks). Sydney is the best city I have ever been to (I travel a lot). GBR was incredible. We stayed in Cairns and although initally it was a shock that there was not a lot of beach action it did not matter. We went snorkeling and scuba diving and while hot, not bad at all. We also went to the rainforest, Port Douglas, etc. We just missed the major cyclone but every day we were there was beautiful. We rented an apt in Syd at 2 Saville Bond and a very spacious apartment in Cairns (North Cove)- our entire family said it was the best vacation they ever had and we all want to move asap! You must go to the GBR.

Thanks for all the info so far. I did leave out when we were going, but you all seemed to catch on quickly...We are arriving on Feb 23 and leaving Mar 3.

Do you think Thala is a good spot for a base camp? Originally, we thought about going up to Daintree for 3 nights and on an island for 3 nights (although the really desirable islands...ie Lizard might be a bit out of budget), but decided since we like to be really active, basing ourselves at Thala and doing daytrips might be a better idea. There seems to be so many options and because we won't be there for a very long time, it has gotten a bit overwhelming. Basically, we are willing to spend a decent amount of money, but want to get the most bang for our buck. Additionally, I don'r want to spend the entire time getting on plane, boats etc just to get to our hotel(s). Any thoughts?

Thanks again for all your help.

Hi, I would still recommend a cruise north to Lizard island with either Coral sea or Captain Cook. You get to see a few Island as well as snorkle on the outer reef. This was the high light of our trip. I would then stay at Thala and do a day trip to the Daintree and Cape Trib. Another day Atherton Table lands. Then one day to Karanda. Go by train and back by skyrail. Explore Port Douglas in between

G'day,
I would think that as you want to be active but are concerned about the heat why not base yourself on the Atherton Tablelands for most of the time in north Queensland? Lots of walks, places to swim and animals to view.