jarand Posted December 19, 2013 #1 Share Posted December 19, 2013 We are considering this cruise, tagging it onto a Sydney/New Zealand cruise in November. My question is whether this would be a good sampling itinerary of the Gold Coast/GBR, or whether it would be smarter to spend a week in Cairns with a car. We're not divers or serious snorkelers, but we'd love to experience the GBR and Australia. Advice appreciated! Tue Oct 28 Sydney, Australia, Depart 6:30pm Wed Oct 29 Newcastle, Australia 7:00am-4:00pm Thu Oct 30 At Sea Fri Oct 31 At Sea Sat Nov 1 Cairns, Australia, Arrive 10:00am; overnight Sun Nov 2 Cairns, Australia, Depart 5:00pm Mon Nov 3 Willis Island, Australia (Cruising) 11:00am-1:00pm Tue Nov 4 Airlie Beach, Australia 8:00am-6:00pm Wed Nov 5 At Sea Thu Nov 6 Brisbane, Australia 8:00am-5:00pm Fri Nov 7 At Sea Sat Nov 8 Sydney, Australia Arrive 6:30am Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aus Traveller Posted December 19, 2013 #2 Share Posted December 19, 2013 The only way to see anything of the reef is to get in the water. Snorkelling can give a good view and even beginners can have a great time. You would have two opportunities to view the reef on the cruise you mention - either from Cairns or from Airlie Beach. Willis Island is only a 'drive-by' so the ship goes out into international waters and they can sell duty free products on board. There are plenty of things to do in Cairns, so maybe planning to see the reef from Airlie Beach would be best, but you would have to go on the ship's tour to the Outer Reef pontoon. This isn't cheap but it is a great trip. Once on the pontoon you can snorkel, view the reef through a glass wall of an under-water room, or go on a semi-submersible (submarine type of vessel). The usual option for the reef from Cairns is Green Island, but I don't think the coral there is very good. If your main interest is seeing the reef and experiencing Australia, probably a land tour would be better. You could spend a few days in Cairns or Port Douglas (a bit further north) where there are great trips to the reef. You could fly to other destinations in Australia to see more of the country than you would see on a cruise. We love cruising, but you won't see a lot of the country. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted December 19, 2013 #3 Share Posted December 19, 2013 (edited) We are considering this cruise, tagging it onto a Sydney/New Zealand cruise in November. My question is whether this would be a good sampling itinerary of the Gold Coast/GBR, or whether it would be smarter to spend a week in Cairns with a car. We're not divers or serious snorkelers, but we'd love to experience the GBR and Australia. Advice appreciated! Tue Oct 28 Sydney, Australia, Depart 6:30pm Wed Oct 29 Newcastle, Australia 7:00am-4:00pm Thu Oct 30 At Sea Fri Oct 31 At Sea Sat Nov 1 Cairns, Australia, Arrive 10:00am; overnight Sun Nov 2 Cairns, Australia, Depart 5:00pm Mon Nov 3 Willis Island, Australia (Cruising) 11:00am-1:00pm Tue Nov 4 Airlie Beach, Australia 8:00am-6:00pm Wed Nov 5 At Sea Thu Nov 6 Brisbane, Australia 8:00am-5:00pm Fri Nov 7 At Sea Sat Nov 8 Sydney, Australia Arrive 6:30am As you are already doing a cruise, I think it would be smarter to hire a car in Cairns for a week, and do a day trip (or two) to the Great Barrier Reef on a day when the weather is perfect for a visit. This is a really beautiful tropical region, Cairns, Port Douglas, Daintree, and Cape Tribulation. http://www.daintreecoast.com/ http://www.visitportdouglasdaintree.com.au/ http://www.cairns-greatbarrierreef.org.au/ Edited December 19, 2013 by MMDown Under Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3littlepigs Posted December 19, 2013 #4 Share Posted December 19, 2013 Hire a car. Plenty to see and do without sharing the experience with 2000 other people at the same time! Some places lend themselves to cruising...I don't think you can get a good feel for Australia by spending a few hours at a time in places that Han accommodate large cruise shops. Part of the joy of FNQ is being able to get out and about in the countryside and the rainforest and deserted beaches. You won't get that on a cruise. Enjoy two different holidays in one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzaw Posted December 19, 2013 #5 Share Posted December 19, 2013 DEFINITELY better to experience the GBR from a land tour !!! Why?? -- because the east Coast of Australia has mostly prevailing easterly winds -- the often strong South Easterly winds (currently blowing here in Brisbane this week) make for GREAT sailing in the Whitsundays area, but make for poor visiting to the offshore reefs. Hence it is VERY unreliable to visit the GBR on the one day that you will visit either area (Cairns or Airlie Beach) on a cruiseship. Much better to spend some time in one of those areas and pick a good quiet day to go out to the reef. Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted December 19, 2013 #6 Share Posted December 19, 2013 I agree with all about the car and staying the week although if you love cruising then it is a great way of travelling up there rather than by plane. Lots to see and do but with 2 days in Cairns and one in Airlie Beach, that is plenty of time to see the GBR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted December 19, 2013 #7 Share Posted December 19, 2013 I agree with all about the car and staying the week although if you love cruising then it is a great way of travelling up there rather than by plane. Lots to see and do but with 2 days in Cairns and one in Airlie Beach, that is plenty of time to see the GBR. It is really only 1.1/2 days in Cairns and is weather dependant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarand Posted December 19, 2013 Author #8 Share Posted December 19, 2013 Thank you so much for your replies. It is so helpful to hear from people who know! And it sounds like we ought to start planning a land trip. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esilef Posted December 19, 2013 #9 Share Posted December 19, 2013 How about flying from Sydney to Hamilton island. If you can sail you can hire your own yacht or catermeran and go off into the reef & explore or if you can't sail go on an organised captained yacht trip. This would be amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esilef Posted December 19, 2013 #10 Share Posted December 19, 2013 Sunsail is the company on Hamilton island whom can arrange this. Hamilton island also has amazing day trips to the reef. I like Hamilton island over arlie beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esilef Posted December 19, 2013 #11 Share Posted December 19, 2013 Whitehaven & chalkies beach are a must to visit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted December 19, 2013 #12 Share Posted December 19, 2013 (edited) It is really only 1.1/2 days in Cairns and is weather dependant. So is land travel? Cyclone can have bad weather on either side of it for a at least a week.:D Edited December 19, 2013 by MicCanberra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aus Traveller Posted December 20, 2013 #13 Share Posted December 20, 2013 So is land travel? Cyclone can have bad weather on either side of it for a at least a week.:D The OP is talking about mid October or early November and there wouldn't be any cyclones at that time of year. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted December 20, 2013 #14 Share Posted December 20, 2013 (edited) The OP is talking about mid October or early November and there wouldn't be any cyclones at that time of year. :) Can still have bad weather though, my SIL was up there for two weeks in October and not one day without rain and wind. It can happen. My point is that if the OP prefers to cruise than they should, weather can dampen or rule out any type of travel. :D Edited December 20, 2013 by MicCanberra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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