Scuba Diving in Australia

Comment from rozybb
Time: April 4, 2008, 9:23 pm

The best place to visit if you want to go to the reef is Cairns by a long shot – there are so many tours and excursions you can take, it’s confusing! If you go to Cairns, not only can you visit the reef, but you can go to rainforests, waterfalls, islands, etc… Also, the town itself is beautiful and eventful, so you won’t be stuck for things to do!
I would recommend the following excursions to you – I went on them and found the people I met extremely welcoming, and comforting as I had never snorkelled before and was very scared!
Ocean Free – sail and cruise the reef:
Raging Thunder:
Green Island:

Comment from tentofield
Time: April 7, 2008, 4:35 am

Lady Musgrave Island is hardly part of the Barrier Reef. It is at the southern extremity and not even in the tropics. It is also long way from Hervey Bay, you will have a long boat trip to get there. The reef is close to the coast at Cairns so you will have a much shorter journey to get to it. There is far more of the reef within easy travel from Cairns and you have a lot more options as far as seeing the reef is concerned. There are also many other things to see round Cairns.

In October you can expect a shower or two in Cairns but the rain is warm and shouldn’t stop you seeing anything you want.

Comment from K Bear
Time: April 8, 2008, 2:00 am

I’ve lived on the fraser coast near rainbow beach, the gateway to Fraser Island, ane beleive me Cairns is SO much better to experiance the Great Barrier Reef.

Snorkeling on the reef is fun and very easy if you choose not to scuba dive. There is also glass bottom boats to take if you don’t even want to get wet. and A day trip out to Green island – Otherwise you can go out on the Outer Barrier Reef on their platform for lunch. Most ‘tourism’ operators will do pick ups from your accommodation.
Palm Cove and Trinity Beach is very nice to stay at. (15 mins from the city)

Other highlights in Cairns are::: is worth the short drive out of Cairns

Daintree Discovery Centre –
A trip to the Aboriginal Culture Park (they also do a great night show) and on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. (same car park, right next door to each other)

The skyrail takes you up to the rainforest village of Kuranda. – or take the skyrail up one way and train back down to the city. Kuranda Scenic Railway

See a croc right on top of the casino in the city –
Cairns Zoo –
Hartley’s Creek Crocodile Farm – and the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve –

Port Douglas is about a 50 min drive from Cairns city – worth it for the scenery. or
For accommodation in Port Douglas –

Other things to see in Cairns

Also every Saturday on the Cairns Esplanade is market day, a showcase of local quality stalls as well as local entertainment artists as they showcase their talent. – Worth going .. then spending the rest of the day at the lagoon there.

Have fun on what ever you decide!!

Comment from zoe j
Time: April 11, 2008, 12:06 pm

you lucky buggars. the reef near cairns is larger and has more to see, down near lady musgrave it’s starting to peter out a bit. Fraser island and lady musgrave are gorgeous places, I’ve been to Fraser many times and cairns. that whole coastline is lovely, so much to see, i hope you’ve allowed yourselves enough time. have a good holiday.