So, if a guy (and his wife) were looking to spend a couple weeks in Ausland, and started in Melbourne, and kind of just drove up the coast to Sydney, and Brisbane, hitting Ayr for a day trip, and then on to Cairns for a week on a liveaboard, and head home from there? Would that be a good way to plan it? Would there be places along the way interesting to dive each day? Can you make that drive in 3-4 days (assuming a full day in Melbourne and Sydney)?
Never know, if I like it, I might never leave (especially if they elect Hillary, then you are stuck with me)
If you are driving then be aware distances can be long and most dives are on boats and can take the best part of a day by the time you get kitted-up and back and cleaned up. Sydney to Brisbane is about 900km 12to14 hours driving depending on traffic, much of the mid coast road is not duel carriageway. Brisbane to Cairns is around 1,700 km and will take about 20 hours to drive.
Being in open water most dives are somewhat weather dependent. We spent 4 days waiting for a chance to dive Fish Rock Cave last year, and over the Christmas period had two planned trips to Julian Rocks cancelled due to wind and waves!
Some key sites are listed below in order Sydney going north, only as far as Heron Island.
South West Rocks is a spectacular dive Fish Rock Cave
Fish Rock Cave - Dive Fish Rock with the South West Rocks Dive Centre Australia.
Probably see Gray Nurse possible hammer head sharks.
South West Rocks Dive Centre is a good operator and they have a hostel
Solitary Islands Marine Park runs for 90 km north of Coffs Harbour Dive the Magnificent South Solitary Islands Marine Park its many years since I dived this area (mid 80s) so no recommendations for an operator
Go Dive
http://godive.com.au/ runs trips from Brisbane, with reduced costs on weekdays
Flinders Reef
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flinders_Reef of Brisbane is also a top rated site with lots of coral and turtles
Wreck of the HMAS Brisbane is just north of Brisbane
https://scubaworld.com.au/dive-sites/dive-hmas-brisbane/
Julian Rocks - Byron Bay is a great dive I would go with Blue Bay they run a bigger boat than Sundive/Byron Bay Dive centre, and you stay out for a double dive.
Welcome to Blue Bay Divers - Byron Bay's Most Comfortable Dive and Snorkel Boat Very relaxed professional operation (and I do no and have used Sundive and Byron Bay dive centre)
Given the time of year you may see may there may be Gray Nurse sharks.
You could then head to Stradbroke Island of Brisbane and dive with Mata Rays! Flat Rock and Manta Bommie - Point Lookout Stradbroke Island (off Brisbane)
Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre : Stradbroke Island :: Learn to Dive - Online Open Water Course
Given the time of year you should see Gray Nurse sharks off Flat Rock.
Go Dive
http://godive.com.au/ runs trips from Brisbane, with reduced costs on weekdays.
Flinders Reef - off Brisbane there are a number of local operators that dive here (I haven't used than as I have my own boat for this dive) typically on weekends. Go Dive run Fridays
Scuba Dive Brisbane | Go Dive Brisbane | Learn To Scuba Dive | PADI Dive Shop and are a good shop. Go Dive may also run to some more remote sites that are not dived a lot.
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=f...ef+moreton+bay
Should see good coral, lots of fish and turtles.
Cherubs/Henderson/China Wall off the east side of Moreton Island. These are great dives 20-30m rocky reefs possibly Gray Nurse and interesting topography. Limited commercial diving as most operators do not go here. Go Dive may run a trip if conditions are right.
At Sunshine Coast (Mooloolaba) just north of Brisbane, if you feel like a wreck dive (sunk navy ship), on the ex-HMAS Brisbane. I have dived with Sun Reef a few times they were good
http://www.sunreef.com.au/dive-the-e...ne-wreck-dive/ there is also
http://scubaworld.com.au/dive-sites/dive-hmas-brisbane/ also a good operator.
Wolf Rock from Rainbow Beach
http://www.wolfrockdive.com.au/?What_you'll_see
This GBR and islands are a long way off the cost at the south end of the reef, around 100km (60 miles).
Lady Elliott Island. Mantas, Turtles. They have resident Marine Biologists and speakers at the Education Centre. Usually some Study or other going on. This is a long boat trip and I am not sure it is do-able in a day.
Great coral can be found at Heron Island. There is accommodation on the island. This is a long boat trip and I am not sure it is do-able in a day.
http://diveadventures.com.au/pages/d...alia/heron.htm. I have dived this reef system but only from a 70foot yacht that no longer operates in the area.