secluded islands that cost less than lizard
 

I put up a post earlier about wildlife in QLD and got some great responses so I'll try a new one. We're planning on going to Australia for our honeymoon in August and besides about 5 nights in Sydney and a couple nights in Cairns/Port Douglas area, I would really like the seclusion of an island. Lizard sounds perfect -- I particularly like the idea of a cod hole dive, a private beach and snorkelling right off the island. Unfortunately, I just can't bring myself to spend $1000/night + transportation and scuba costs.

Does anybody have other suggestions that would fit these requirements? I was looking at Whitsunday Wilderness Lodge which sounds amazing (and is somewhat cheaper although not substantially). I'm a little worried about the weather further south in August as well. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated -- thanks,

Sarah

The weather can be quite a bit cooler around the Whitsundays but if you are from a COLD place then you will be OK.
Hinchinbrook Island has what you are after though as does 55 of the Islands in the Whitsunday group as they are uninhabited so you certainly would be secluded. Have you thought about getting your own yacht or Cat. in the Whitsundays? You could go to whatever island you wanted then and be as secluded as you wanted. You don't need experience and they come equiped with a little dingy with outboard motor so you can skip around the place at will.

That sounds like a great idea -- any recommended vendors? I assume they can point you to some of the better snorkeling places as well? I sailed a couple times, but that was about 10 years ago on a sunfish.

Here is one of the websites
http://www.cya.com.au/
Have a good time!!!!!!!!!!!

Just in case somebody else decides to scavenge this list, here are a couple bareboat operators in the Whitsundays that I found on the web (in addition to the one above).

http://www.whitsunday-bareboat-charter.com/ http://www.rentayacht.com.au/
http://www.moorings.com/
http://www.yachtcharters.com.au/

If anybody else has island recommendations, I'm still interested in that as well -- thanks!

Sarah

www.poruma.com.au

or

heron amd wilson islands

Wow, I had never seen Poruma before in my searches. It looks pretty neat and reasonably priced for what you get. Have you been? If so, could you tell me your impressions? There don't seem to be many reviews out there (other than their website)...