This is great info and was a lot of work - thanks! I am so thankful you posted as we are planning our trip for October and are also interested in good dining and travel "experiences". Did you hear from anyone while you were on the GBR of great places to stay? We are considering the Outrigger in Palm Cove - penthouse. Thanks!

Think you'll be very happy with Outrigger at Palm Cove, there's nothing not to like.

Wouldn't choose Reef Endeavour cruise for snorkelling or diving, for this you'd be better off with a designated liveaboard if you don't want day reef trips.

Undersea Explorer out of Port Douglas is about as good as it gets, although there are many others to choose from.

Hi Mover
I just read this board for the 1st time in mas well. We have booked the Reef Explorer (got a great priced opportunity) and felt it would be a different perspective for us. We will be in Cairns 4 days and Port Douglas 5 nights (Versace). I guess I may add a reef trip from one of these sites as well.

We are booked 2 nights in KI at the same Homested as you with 2 day Safari and also have reservations at Testuya's. We will be traveling 2 months and I have really tried to pace things.

Noticed we booked the same in Auckland. We will als be in Queenstown 2 nights, bus to CC 2 nights, fly to Rototura 2 nights and back to Auckland for 3.

Thank you for your input. We leave in 2 weeks after 8 months of self planning.

The Sydney Morning Herald ("Column 8") has been receiving reports of the scariest corkage charges (applied when you bring your own wine) in Sydney restaurants. So far Tetsuya's has the prize, with a hair-raising $18 per bottle, but the competition isn't over yet.

Sandi,

Don't know if you are still reading these posts but where do you recommend staying in St. Kilda's Beach? I arrive in Melbourne and wanted to stay one night before hitting the road for Adelaide and stops along the way. Any recommendations from anyone out there on inexpensive nice accomodations on that journey? Thanks,
Hilary

We always stay at the Novotel in St Kilda. Typical Novotel but the windows are almost floor to ceiling and I sleep with the curtains open watching the bay and the clouds billow across. The Stokehouse is across the street right on the water - great for lunch & dinner plus the St Kilda Baths have been renovated and have a fantastic vegetarian restaurant. You walk around the corner & you are in the heart of Funky St Kilda.