10 days on OZ - near Sydney - March 09

[Lord Melch]

Eau,

I agree it's a heck of a long way to come. I have always wanted to see OZ and this opportunity popped up as it were.
I wondered if it was worth it for that length of time..

I am booked at present (all fully refundable) to arrive 18th March, fly back 30th March I just have to sort with my Dive Instructor Pal as it would be good to dive new places with someone I know and trust..
I guess there are lots of Livaboards operating from Cairns ? Is the min 7 days ?

LM,

you said you'd be there for 10 days. Anyway you can extend to at least 2 weeks?? It's a long way to get there so the more time you can spend in Australia the better. With 2 weeks you could easily do a 7 day liveaboard out of Cairns or Port Douglas. IMHO definitely worth it!!

Internal flights are pretty cheap (especially if you convert back into GBP) especially if you book in advance. If you have your own dive gear remember to check out the luggage allowance on the low cost carriers (Virgin Blue & Jetstar) vs. Qantas. I've never had to pay on Qantas but did have to pay on Jetstar. I think Almity Wife commented on this in a post earlier in the year and it's definitely worth considering!

 

[Lord Melch]

Hi All,

Back again.. and still planning..

Well to start with I am flying into Sydney, meeting my dive buddy and heading straight up to Cairns to do a 4 day livaboard out to Osprey Reef. - looks fantastic, if the weather is nice to us..

My friend in Sydney is looking into other cool things I can do in that area..

We looked into then doing the Yongala, but apparently the weather there can be iffy sometimes, so maybe that might be one to do once I am in OZ and can check out the weather.

Possibly fly Sydney, Cairns - Livaboard, Sydney, then head up to Newcastle way for more diving..

Basically I can go and dive anywhere in the 10 days.. anything / anywhere I really should dive ??

 

[almitywife]

ive just come back from a week at Lady Elliot Island (trip report: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/australia/249296-lady-eliott-island-gbr-dive-trip-report.html) and i would highly recommend a trip there - i really enjoyed the diving!

march would have turtle hatching by memory and the hopper flight will transfer you from either Hervey Bay or Bunderburg (queensland)

cheers

 

[Lord Melch]

Almity'

Looks great, I'll look into it.. So I cold do my 4 day livaboard to Osprey, chill for a day maybe and then Lady Elliot Island ?
Hopper flight ? Wasst then ?

ive just come back from a week at Lady Elliot Island (trip report: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/australia/249296-lady-eliott-island-gbr-dive-trip-report.html) and i would highly recommend a trip there - i really enjoyed the diving!

march would have turtle hatching by memory and the hopper flight will transfer you from either Hervey Bay or Bunderburg (queensland)

cheers

 

[almitywife]

sorry - hopper flight is the very small plane they use to transport you from either Hervey Bay or Bundaberg airport to LEI. it fits about 10 people max and the flight takes about 20mins

 

[Lord Melch]

sorry - hopper flight is the very small plane they use to transport you from either Hervey Bay or Bundaberg airport to LEI. it fits about 10 people max and the flight takes about 20mins

Are the above anywhere near Cairns ?...

edit just looked at Google Maps.. 17 hrs from Cairns to Bundaberg.. phew..

 

[almitywife]

nope, you will have to fly from Cairns to either Hervery or Bundaberg as Cairns is at least 15hrs drive to Bundaberg

if you check out Australian travel maps, street directory, driving directions & aerial photographs - Whereis.com and click Directions you can get a better idea on distances for travel

cheers

 

[Lord Melch]

nope, you will have to fly from Cairns to either Hervery or Bundaberg as Cairns is at least 15hrs drive to Bundaberg

if you check out Australian travel maps, street directory, driving directions & aerial photographs - Whereis.com and click Directions you can get a better idea on distances for travel

cheers

Thanks. Looks like you'd highly recommend it.. Ace post BTW fantastic pictures..:14:

So if you could dive anywhere in OZ (In March next year) where would it be.. ?

 

[almitywife]

to be honest... 2 of the people (and SB'ers) that went to LEI a few weeks ago are planning on going back in March and i would be very happy to go with them

otherwise i would like to go to South Australia for 3 days to dive the Leafy Sea Dragons but that would involve a bit of logisitcs as you have to drive a few hours from the airport to get to Rapid Bay

 

[Lord Melch]

otherwise i would like to go to South Australia for 3 days to dive the Leafy Sea Dragons but that would involve a bit of logisitcs as you have to drive a few hours from the airport to get to Rapid Bay

I have dropped them an email to see if I can fit in the Island trip in March from the 24th to 30th somehow (or in those days) ass I fly back on the 30th..

Leafy Sea Dragons ? South OZ.. these critters ?

Where would I go to see them ? Sorry I know diddly squat about OZ diving and am researching...

Ahh sorry just re-read your post.. Google Maps again..Rapid Bay..