Best GBR spots on budget

[Snakekid97]

Hi all,

I will be in Brisbane in June for a conference and would like to make it out to dive on the GBR.

I am on a bit of a budget, so a day trip from Brisbane would be best. That said, I am also willing to travel North if the diving is better and I can find an affordable hostel and flights. I am a novice diver, with an open water cert and around a couple of dozen dives.

Anyways, searching Google has provided an overwhelming amount of locations to check out. I would like to narrow it down to a handful of the "must see" dive spots/charters.

Any advice? (also, it will be my first time in Australia, so I am open to suggestions to see on land too )

Thanks!

 

[clownfishsydney]

Hate to laugh, but a day trip to GBR is impossible. It is a full day travel alone to get to and from a town on the mainland that offers access to GBR.

Really not much option at all. There is diving near Brisbane, but not GBR and personally I have not dived any of the sites.

Possible option, hire car, drive to Byron Bay, do a double dive there.

 

[Kahuna.]

Brisbane to Airlie beach is 700 miles, then you still need to get out to the reef. A day trip is not happening.