East Coast in November - Must see?

[willcoles]

I'm going to be driving a campervan down the east coast in November with my gf, Cairns to Melbourne in 22 days!

We will both be owd qualified and will be looking to do a few dives along the way. So I was wondering whether there were any must see dive sites that we should visit?

I was fortunate enough to be in WA in 2001 and the time that Whale Sharks were passing and spent a day snorkeling with them so thought I'd check in advance to see what I should make time for on this trip?

I realise that there won't be any Whale Sharks to see in EA in November but any suggestions of what to see would be much appreciated! Non diving activities would also be good.

Thanks in advance,

Will

 

[willcoles]

Just to add that I've done the backpacker party scene down the east coast before and would now like to experience more of the real Australia!

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

The obvious one would be the Great Barrier Reef especially if you are in Cairns. You have a selection of day or overnight trips.

Cairns Live Aboard Over Night Dive Trips To The Outer Barrier Reef, Cod Hole And Coral Sea.
Cairns Day Diving Trips to the Great Barrier Reef

If you can afford it the best over night trips are the ones that visit the Cod Hole and Coral Sea (Spirit of Freedom, Mike Ball and the more budget one - Taka. Definitely a must.

Further south out of Ayr or Townsville (500kms south of Cairns) is the wreck of the Yongala which is supposed to be the 3rd best wreck dive in the world. Not sure about that but it is an amazing dive as I am sure a lot of people here will testify too.
Yongala Wreck Dives From Ayr Or Townsville
Further south still on the Sunshine Coast (Noosa, etc) is the wreck of the HMAS Brisbane.

There are plenty of posts here about this and also look up Fish Rock Caves (this is still going further south) and if you get right down to Victoria (Merimbula Dive Lodge on the NSW / VIC border is a favourite) I thing the shore dives off Vic are awesome - Portsea, Rye, Sorrento etc Get to see leafy sea dragons, dive with seals all sorts.


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Cairns Discount Dive And Snorkel Trips. Live Aboard And Day Trips To The Great Barrier Reef




P.S. Dont forget its Coral Spawning in November sometime for the GBR. One night once a year every year. usually 6 days after the 11th full moon of the year. Special trips are run.

 

[bracko]

north to south of places that I've been to (which aren't that many...)
Cairns, standard...
Whitsundays (haven't been, but obviously a must see.)
Byron is a must, make sure you get to wategos beach as well as [boring] Clarks beach. you can also dive off Byron on the rocks (boat dives)
Lennox head just south is worth a stop IMO on the high southern headland
HMAS Brisbane in SE QLD (diving)
inland - Glen innes is pretty
Seal rocks for diving with sharks
Hunter Valley - wine region (spoil your girlfriend and pick somewhere nice to stay)
Avoca/Terrigal is pretty on the central coast and you might be able to dive the HMAS Adelaide
sydney... if you want further info, i can do this seperately...
Berry/Kangaroo Valley is beautiful, (suggest you also get nice place to stay )
Jervis Bay
Jindabyne/Snowy Mtns
Eden

don't know much about Vic sorry... but Mornington Peninsula make some fantastic wines, so it must be a good place

 

[thanksforallthefish]

There are lots of good diving, but one that is unique is fishrock cave at South West Rocks.

Home - Fish Rock Dive Centre at South West Rocks

You do not need a cave cert to do this

 

[Sas]

For Melbourne, there is the HMAS Canberra - a big wreck. Lonsdale Wall (beautiful colours and fish life), dozens and dozens of easily accessible shore dives, drift dives and plenty of other wrecks to do (from 4m->deep). Depends what you're interested in really