Queensland : Brisbane, Lady Elliott, somewhere else?

[Luko]

Hi there,

Coming from Europe and planning 3 weeks+ holidaying in south pacific islands for august (probably PNG or Solomons, maybe Fiji), I will land Brisbane first and was wondering if I couldn't slip 2-3 days diving in the area. (see Pac islands section for my questions on pac islands)

We are a party of three, me only diving, wife and daughter 15 yo happier on the beach. Hence no live aboard for me, thank you. :cool2:

My question is : what would you suggest for a few days early august from Brisbane? On the web I have seen Lady Elliott island which seems fitting... Though it seems more convenient to take the plane from Bundaberg, btw is that far from Brisbane?
Otherwise would have any other recos fo other locations? what should I expect in this time of the year water, wind and air temp?
My daughter is a novice surfer : would you suggest any place on the coast where we could mix surf lessons for her and day diving for me?

Thanks in advance for your answers

Cheers
Luko

 

[Air One]

Tiens ?
Howdy ?

(Amazing : it's just impossible to whrite in french !)
Maybe you've allready done it. It's a very good period to have a swim with the humpback whales. Or even diving with them.

 

[Knut]

I would go for North Stradbroke Island (straddie). The beach and surf there is very good. Heaps of surfers and surf schools. The nature on the island is also very cool with some lakes and sand dunes you can go boarding on. The diving offers plenty of marine life and is known to be one of the best in the world. It's located only about an hour away from Brisbane whereas Bundaberg is about 5-6 hours drive. But you have to take a ferry to get on the island that will take about an hour.

I would also take a look at Byron Bay which is a cool hippie town that every backpacker with respect for themselves has been to. The surfing there is spectacular when in season and diving is amazing (look up aussiebyron here on the board and take a look at his pictures). Byron Bay is about 2-3 hours away from Brisbane by car or shuttle bus.

Since Australia is HUGE and you have so little time I wouldn't waste time going further away from Brisbane than Byron..

Have fun travelling and enjoy the land down under.

 

[thanksforallthefish]

If your daughter wants to surf then I would rule out Lady Elliot, good diving and snorkeling but no surfing. Honestly not a lot of activities there at all, but a great place to relax as long as sunning yourself or reading are what you want.

Here is a link to Almitywife's trip report.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/australia/249296-lady-eliott-island-gbr-dive-trip-report.html

Only diving I have done up that way is Lady Elliot, however there is quite a variety around Brisbane including the HMAS Brisbane

 

[boxcar]

I would go for North Stradbroke Island (straddie). The beach and surf there is very good. Heaps of surfers and surf schools. The nature on the island is also very cool with some lakes and sand dunes you can go boarding on. The diving offers plenty of marine life and is known to be one of the best in the world. It's located only about an hour away from Brisbane whereas Bundaberg is about 5-6 hours drive. But you have to take a ferry to get on the island that will take about an hour.

I would also take a look at Byron Bay which is a cool hippie town that every backpacker with respect for themselves has been to. The surfing there is spectacular when in season and diving is amazing (look up aussiebyron here on the board and take a look at his pictures). Byron Bay is about 2-3 hours away from Brisbane by car or shuttle bus.

Since Australia is HUGE and you have so little time I wouldn't waste time going further away from Brisbane than Byron..

Have fun travelling and enjoy the land down under.

I second all of Knut's suggestions...Straddie is a gem and Byron can be outstanding if the conditions are good...Byron can't be more than 2 hrs from Brisbane...1.5??

The HMAS Brisbane is worth a look if you're on the Sunshine Coast (north)...a nice couple of dives.