Need Suggestion on a Flying Itinerary from HK to Australia
 

Dear all:

Husband and I will be coming from HK to Australia for 2 weeks vacation, visiting his family in Sydney and Melbourne (he!|s an Australian too!). We are planning to visit the following places: Cairns, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne.

We originally think we would strictly follow a flying route as stated above which seems more efficient, however, the problem is how to get to Gold Coast from Cairns? This seems to be a simple question, but Qantas only fly to Brisbane from where I need to take an hour coach. I checked with Australian Airline that offers direct flight to Gold Coast, the price is expensive though, above AUD 300? More, there is only 1 direct flight 1 day in a week from HK to Cairns with Australian Airline, for the rest of the week, Qantas offer only indirect flight fly via Sydney. So another option for us is to arrive in Sydney first.

So would you please suggest which flying itinerary would be more economical but also efficient. HK to Cairns, first, or to Sydney?

Looking forward to your suggestion.

The 1-hr coach ride from Brisbane to Gold Coast isn't bad.

I don't know whether you plan to stay in Cairns proper? most people don't, they don't have a beach and a rather commercial town, rather they stay north in Palm Cove or Port Douglas and it takes about an hour or so from Cairns to Port Douglas.

And the fare from HK to GC is AUD300 (about US$200 o/w) - is that alot?

The AUD 300 flight costs is flying from Cairns to Gold Coast, that's why I meant it is expensive.

The package that I will join with Qantas Holiday offering me 3 nights stay in Tradewinds Cairns, is this a good hotel, or I should choose a hotel in Port Douglas?

Daisy

Hop on the train at the airport in Brisbane and get off on the Gold Coast. The train is right outside the terminal - will take you to Roma Street, Brisbane and you change to the Gold Coast train.......easy!
No one flys into the Gold Coast from a Queensland destination.
You of course can take the bus OR you can get the CON X ION mini bus which will drop you off at your hotel - the latter has a desk at the terminal and they leave all the time for the Gold Coast - takes about 50 minutes and is a pleasant ride.

Can you tell me how much is it for a ride from Brisbane to Gold Coast?

thx
Daisy