Author Topic: Australia (Besides Melbourne And Sydney) Master Thread (Read 89706 times)

mimb · « **Reply #460 on:** February 17, 2016, 04:35:35 PM »

I've read that people have used Poseidon tours to go explore the GBR but that's not really an option for me since I'm staying in Cairns. Tripadvisory recommended Silverswift- anyone ever used them or have another tour company to recommend? TIA

AJK · « **Reply #461 on:** February 17, 2016, 05:22:38 PM »

Quote from: IsraelGuy on February 17, 2016, 03:31:17 AM

I have about 9-10 days in Australia, I'm trying to squeeze in Sydney for about 4 days (2 sets of nights at the PH), and Cairns / Port Douglas for 4-5 days (probably PD because of the Sheraton) to get PADI certified, I'm trying to see if I can squeeze in Whitsundays as well.

Anybody did a quick stopover in the Whitsundays? I won't be able to do days of sailing there (with two toddlers) but would like to try and do a helicopter tour / scenic flight, especially the ones where you can hit the reef and stopover on Whitehaven beach for an hour or so. Problem is many of them seem to leave from a small regional airport that would be harder to get to.

I think 4 days in SYD over shabbas is fine (though MEL be more convenient, not sure if there is a shul within walking distance of PH SYD).

I don't think you'll need 5 days for PADI... especially if you take all the classroom stuff beforehand, which may be a good idea considering your time crunch.

If you can get your CNS time down to 3 days, with 4 days in SYD, I'd definitely trying to squeeze in HTI, especially considering there's a non-stop flight from CNS-HTI for 4500 Avios.

HTI is worth splurging $300 AUD ($215 USD) on a nice place for a couple nights. It's really like no other place I've been. So charming, what with the no cars allowed and some places giving you your own buggy to traverse the island.

We went fishing one day, went a full day sail to whitehaven beach, and then did a plane ride over the whistundays and heart reef. More than enough to keep you occupied for 3-4 nights.

IsraelGuy · « **Reply #462 on:** February 17, 2016, 05:30:42 PM »

Quote from: AJK on February 17, 2016, 05:22:38 PM

I think 4 days in SYD over shabbas is fine (though MEL be more convenient, not sure if there is a shul within walking distance of PH SYD).

I don't think you'll need 5 days for PADI... especially if you take all the classroom stuff beforehand, which may be a good idea considering your time crunch.

If you can get your CNS time down to 3 days, with 4 days in SYD, I'd definitely trying to squeeze in HTI, especially considering there's a non-stop flight from CNS-HTI for 4500 Avios.

HTI is worth splurging $300 AUD ($215 USD) on a nice place for a couple nights. It's really like no other place I've been. So charming, what with the no cars allowed and some places giving you your own buggy to traverse the island.

We went fishing one day, went a full day sail to whitehaven beach, and then did a plane ride over the whistundays and heart reef. More than enough to keep you occupied for 3-4 nights.

Very good points -- ahhhh-I need that trip report lol-you did most of the things we're thinking about.

We're thinking the sailing wouldn't really fly with the kids, so maybe combining the plane ride over the reef with one that also stops on whitehaven - was it as incredible as it looks?

AJK · « **Reply #463 on:** February 17, 2016, 05:31:23 PM »

Quote from: mimb on February 17, 2016, 04:35:35 PM

I've read that people have used Poseidon tours to go explore the GBR but that's not really an option for me since I'm staying in Cairns. Tripadvisory recommended Silverswift- anyone ever used them or have another tour company to recommend? TIA

I don't think you being in CNS makes Poseidon an issue.

We stayed in CNS and used Silversonic in PD (Silverswift was not running when we needed). They were good for us. 3 dives in one day.

D93 · « **Reply #464 on:** February 17, 2016, 05:39:15 PM »

Quote from: AJK on February 17, 2016, 05:22:38 PM

(though MEL be more convenient, not sure if there is a shul within walking distance of PH SYD).

The Great Synagogue is a 20-25 minute walk.

moto · « **Reply #465 on:** February 17, 2016, 10:02:36 PM »

Any recommendations on a hotel in Cairns ?

AJK · « **Reply #466 on:** February 17, 2016, 11:58:20 PM »

I stayed in a suite at the Hilton. Nice room. Best club attendant we've ever experienced.

D93 · « **Reply #467 on:** February 18, 2016, 12:25:48 AM »

Quote from: moto on February 17, 2016, 10:02:36 PM

Any recommendations on a hotel in Cairns ?

Only points option is the Hilton.

D93 · « **Reply #468 on:** February 19, 2016, 02:32:44 AM »

Quote from: D93 on February 17, 2016, 01:51:11 AM

Has anyone done a helicopter ride over the Daintree Rainforest?

BUMP

D93 · « **Reply #469 on:** February 19, 2016, 03:16:10 AM »

Prices for Discovery Scuba Diving in Port Douglas seem to range from $400-$500 AUD (2-3 dives).

Is this the norm or I should be able to find cheaper?

IsraelGuy · « **Reply #470 on:** February 22, 2016, 10:17:19 AM »

Quote from: D93 on February 19, 2016, 03:16:10 AM

Prices for Discovery Scuba Diving in Port Douglas seem to range from $400-$500 AUD (2-3 dives).

Is this the norm or I should be able to find cheaper?

Port douglas seems slightly more expensive for diving in general, but that's because they usually contract through 2/3 boats that go out to Agincourt reef or Opal reef- which itself starts at around 200-300 just for the trip. Cairns seems slightly cheaper, but the experience may be more crowded.

I've been looking for a while and haven't found anything cheaper in PD.

D93 · « **Reply #471 on:** February 23, 2016, 03:46:15 AM »

Is it possible to rent a convertible in CNS?

IsraelGuy · « **Reply #472 on:** February 23, 2016, 06:05:16 AM »

You can check bookme for last discounted trips btw-I've seen some reef trips out of CNS for 115 aud for the transfer, ~200 for intro dives included

IsraelGuy · « **Reply #473 on:** February 23, 2016, 06:07:39 AM »

Quote from: D93 on February 23, 2016, 03:46:15 AM

Is it possible to rent a convertible in CNS?

Europcar seems to have

D93 · « **Reply #474 on:** February 23, 2016, 06:08:55 AM »

Quote from: IsraelGuy on February 23, 2016, 06:07:39 AM

Europcar seems to have

The only I see they have is a VW Golf Cabriolet. Does any place rent something normal like a Mustang or a Camaro?

IsraelGuy · « **Reply #475 on:** February 23, 2016, 06:14:47 AM »

Quote from: D93 on February 23, 2016, 06:08:55 AM

The only I see they have is a VW Golf Cabriolet. Does any place rent something normal like a Mustang or a Camaro?

They're showing me a renault, but haven't seen any mustangs or camaros

Yehoshua · « **Reply #476 on:** February 23, 2016, 09:00:02 AM »

Quote from: D93 on February 23, 2016, 06:08:55 AM

The only I see they have is a VW Golf Cabriolet. Does any place rent something normal like a Mustang or a Camaro?

I think you may have a different definition of normal than the car rental companies.

D93 · « **Reply #477 on:** February 23, 2016, 09:03:56 AM »

Quote from: Yehoshua on February 23, 2016, 09:00:02 AM

I think you may have a different definition of normal than the car rental companies.

Quote from: D93 on February 23, 2016, 06:08:55 AM

The only one I see they have is a VW Golf Cabriolet. Does any place rent something ~~normal~~ like a Mustang or a Camaro?

Better?

mimb · « **Reply #478 on:** February 23, 2016, 09:56:35 AM »

I just booked my diving trip out of Cairns with Silverswift and it was pretty pricey, but they all seem to be expensive. Will let you know how it goes

moto · « **Reply #479 on:** February 23, 2016, 10:09:17 AM »

I'm using a company to book my sky diving and scuba diving in cairns

He got me a price at $270 aud plus 10% off for sky diving

And scuba diving on the tusa which only takes 60 ppl at a time at $260 aud plus 10% off

Email Joel and tell him Issac sent you
Joel@divethereef.com

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Author Topic: Australia (Besides Melbourne And Sydney) Master Thread (Read 89706 times)