Hi,
I am moving to Aus from the UK on a working holiday visa in September, initially planning to arrive in Cairns beginning / mid Sept and travel down the coast (via Greyhound hop-on-hop-off bus) to Sydney over 6 weeks or so.
En-route to Aus, I will stopping off in Indonesia for a few weeks diving Nusa Penida and a budget LOB in Komodo. (Not booked yet). While I have dived NP in the past, this will be my first trip to Komodo and also my first LOB.
Now looking for some options for more diving between Cairns and Sydney. Seems a shame to not visit the GBR and surrounds while I have the opportunity; however, the best rated trips (SOF & Spoilsport) are going to eat too much into my overall travel budget to justify the expense. Can't seem to find any budget trips which visit Ribbon Reefs during the time I will be there, so assuming this isn't an option...
FYI - I currently have a PADI AOW cert and 30 dives, last dive was in Bali just over a year ago. Will probably do another 20+ dives in Indo, so 50-60ish by the time I reach Australia. Don't own any of my own gear (yet!).
Also looking at Ningaloo for next Aug/Sept if I manage to make it out the WA.
Cheers!
I am moving to Aus from the UK on a working holiday visa in September, initially planning to arrive in Cairns beginning / mid Sept and travel down the coast (via Greyhound hop-on-hop-off bus) to Sydney over 6 weeks or so.
En-route to Aus, I will stopping off in Indonesia for a few weeks diving Nusa Penida and a budget LOB in Komodo. (Not booked yet). While I have dived NP in the past, this will be my first trip to Komodo and also my first LOB.
Now looking for some options for more diving between Cairns and Sydney. Seems a shame to not visit the GBR and surrounds while I have the opportunity; however, the best rated trips (SOF & Spoilsport) are going to eat too much into my overall travel budget to justify the expense. Can't seem to find any budget trips which visit Ribbon Reefs during the time I will be there, so assuming this isn't an option...
1/ Is it still worth booking a short trip to the outer reef (i.e. Ocean Quest or similar) bearing in mind I will have just come from Komodo? I've read so much about over-crowding, coral damage etc. on Cairns day-trips that I'm wondering whether it's just better to save my money for something else.
2/ Suggestions for other places to dive between Cairns & Sydney that won't break the bank? SS Yongala looks like a must-do, although I prefer reefs over muck or wrecks.
FYI - I currently have a PADI AOW cert and 30 dives, last dive was in Bali just over a year ago. Will probably do another 20+ dives in Indo, so 50-60ish by the time I reach Australia. Don't own any of my own gear (yet!).
Also looking at Ningaloo for next Aug/Sept if I manage to make it out the WA.
Cheers!