Question about Australia

[Thrillhouse]

I'll be in Australia this June-July probably for about 4 weeks which is hardly enough time to see the country. That being the case, I've got to limit what I do to a few things which I'd like to do properly, rather than blowing through them. One of them is of course diving the Great Barrier Reef. Where's the best place to do this from and what are the prices I'll be looking at? As a student, I'd like something as affordable as possible.

Also, I really want to do 2 hikes in Aus, one through the outback (scrubland sort of environment to see emus, kangaroos, etc...) and one through the jungle up in Northern Queensland. Are there any famous hikes in Australia which you guys could recommend? I've hiked a lot back home but am new to snakes and crocodiles. How feasible is it for someone to hike a trail alone in Aus?

 

[stiebs]

Hi Thrillhouse,
I'm from down south in Melbourne, so am not the best to answer your questions, since it looks like you'll be up north for your time here. But I'll give it a shot anyway.

For diving the GBR, Cairns tends to be the hub. A lot of liveaboards and day trips depart from there. Day tripping is usually at least a 2 hr trip to the outer reef to over-dived spots. If you can scrape up the dollars, I would definitely recommend a liveaboard. I've only been on Spirit of Freedom, which is a great vessel with a top notch crew, but comes at a price. On this and others, you may well find some last minute berths at discounted rates.

You don't want to "hike" through the "outback". You want to take a 4wd and spend at least a couple of weeks . I haven't done any hiking up north, but I can suggest plenty of hikes in Victoria where you're guaranteed to see roos and koalas

 

[mibz]

try port douglas its the next dive town up from cairns all the operators pick you up from any hotel/back packers you stay at

daintree is further up north

mossman gorge is amasing as well

 

[almitywife]

I'll be in Australia this June-July probably for about 4 weeks which is hardly enough time to see the country. That being the case, I've got to limit what I do to a few things which I'd like to do properly, rather than blowing through them. One of them is of course diving the Great Barrier Reef. Where's the best place to do this from and what are the prices I'll be looking at? As a student, I'd like something as affordable as possible.

Also, I really want to do 2 hikes in Aus, one through the outback (scrubland sort of environment to see emus, kangaroos, etc...) and one through the jungle up in Northern Queensland. Are there any famous hikes in Australia which you guys could recommend? I've hiked a lot back home but am new to snakes and crocodiles. How feasible is it for someone to hike a trail alone in Aus?

my feelings are that hiking thru the outback would pretty much get you killed, its not the snakes and spiders, crocs and dropbears that will get ya, its the lack of water and heat. it is a big empty land once you get out of Alice

i suggest some guided tours once you hit Alice Springs, eg: Trek Australia - Backpacker Tours & Travel offers small group & independent holidays & adventure tours throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Fiji, Europe, Americas & Africa.

and there are some links for the daintree rainforest tours also

cheers

 

[Andrew Jones]

Hey TH...

Viewing your profile, I see about 25 dives, is this still acurate?

Secondly you mention that you are a student, does this mean your under 25?

The reason I ask these questions is because, firstly the $$$ may be limited, and secondly you may want to meet some other young travellers on your trip. I am not sure TH what is your country of origin is, however Cairns is currently home to young travellers from Europe, UK, Canada, Israel, Ireland, Holland who are all out there doing it all and having a ball. Never know, you may meet your neighbour here.

OK, I am hesitant to start pushing one of the many many trips we have on offer to the reef at this early stage but lets do a quick rundown.

Budget / Good Reefs / Small groups and Young people : Something like Rumrunner or Vagabond is popular for 2 days and 1 night Sailing with around 15 to 20 guests. 5 dives full gear $320 AUD inclusive of Tax's.

Catamaran / Local Reefs / play and work.... more dives for your buck and log book : 3 day/ 2 night guest with 10 dives and Advance course for $600 and add another 3 day / 2 night as a hosty on boat for free with another 10 dives. 20 dives in your log book and a fair bit of reef exposure.

Finally.... timing falls in with Minke Whale Season:

The Big Guns, Mike, Spirit, Nimrod etc will be flat out because weather is great, diving is spectacular during June / July. Pricing.... well somewhere between $1200 and $2000. 3 and 4 day expeditions.

What do you think?

Now the other stuff, is it just you or are you travelling with a friend or partner. What type of accommodation are you happy with e.g $25 a night with all the other 20 - 30 crowd or did you win lotto ( ha )

3 day / 2 night Cairns, Port Douglas, Daintree, Cape Tribulation rainforest tour comes in at $149 inclusive of 2 nights accom, croc cruise, trekking, Mossman Gorge. Add the night rainforest tour for 30 bucks.

Thrill, where else in OZ is part of the plan? In addition to diving we have an Australia Wide Office and NOW Im proud to announce we ARE Wicked Campers. So pick a bus pass, camper or flights, ask the questions about the many great tours on offer, and start getting excited.

Cheers Andy

 

[Thrillhouse]

Andrew, I'm Canadian, currently on exchange in NZ. Big cheers for the info on the reef stuff. Any more you can provide would be killer, though the first two sound more within my price range than anything else.

As for what else I'd like to do, mostly see wild Australia. I know most people go there to party but I can do that pretty much anywhere and with only 3 weeks to see the country I'd prefer to spend my time slogging through the outback with a big pack than relaxing on a beach.

Unfortunately, few people seem to have info on what hiking/tramping is like in Australia. If you can hike through the American desert/Africa I'm sure Aus is no different. Certainly I'd like to go with someone who's familiar with walking in snake country and such, but I'm not going to let that keep me bound to cities. Are there any "great walks" or incredibly famous trails or hikes in the country? I'd really like to do one up through the scrubland outback country and one through the jungle up north, each hopefully lasting 3-5 days.

Also, is Northern Australia/Queensland worth visiting? I'd like to check out Darwin and that big peninsula (not sure the name) but am afraid there's not much there to see. Where are the best wild spaces to visit? I've done a lot of outdoors stuff in Canada and am fairly confident tenting and carrying a pack/supplies. Can anyone give me some suggestions?

 

[Andrew Jones]

Good Morning

Ok..... please let me start by mentioning that like Canada, this is a massive area that has something for everyone.

Yes... the trekking is possible. Just around North Queensland in my possession I hold 7 books written by a local dedicated to the 50 best treks from 3 hrs to 3 days. The last one I personally did was Mt Bellenden Ker, the highest mountain in Queensland which is a 2 day solid walk.

The Outback stuff however, needs to be done in groups because of heat, remoteness and search parties are expensive. There are still many choices though.

Cairns to Darwin on desert venturer is 3 days accross the outback for $440 + $100 accomm and meal kitty for example. Why fly, $330 flight ( at cheapest ) and add 3 days food and dorm share accom and it comes out at the same rate. Darwin is very pretty, however 1 day at best, judging by your zest.

TH, I offer these only as a taster however, I need to know your planned entry and departure routes out of Australia, because it is the flights that chew through the dollars.

Regarding the diving, it is only the " Big Guns " that pressure people on a tight schedule to book in advance, sounds to me that we be hunting weather my friend. My suggestion is to get here, and wriggle the dives around the rest.

leave you to consider this and will type soon.

Cheers Andy

 

[stiebs]

Unfortunately, few people seem to have info on what hiking/tramping is like in Australia. If you can hike through the American desert/Africa I'm sure Aus is no different.

It is actually quite different. Australia is a massive piece of dirt that is about 15 times less densely populated than the US. If you want to know why you can't just tramp through the outback, have a look at this satellite picture. Look how densely lit virtually the whole of the US is at night, compared to Australia. There is literally nothing out there.

If you want to trek through "the outback", get yourself on a 4wd outback tour. Or hire a 4wd and get yourself on a self-drive, guided tour. Waaaay too many Americans and Europeans hit the Aussie outback and underestimate what they're getting themselves into. You can literally travel 500 miles without seeing a petrol station, let alone a general store or farmhouse.

A trek into the Simpson Desert along the French Line may be something you could find interesting:
Simpson Desert @ ExplorOz

If you want to go hiking, there are plenty of suitable bushwalking (tramping) trails which can usually be found much closer to the coast, within 4 hrs drive of populated areas.

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0011/earthlights2_dmsp_big.jpg

 

[Azza]

dropbears that will get ya,

Lol....they are vicious little bastards

The redheads are even worse...ahhh the memories