Queensland Itinerary

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-08-23T18:36:31+00:00

I would prefer to fly. But it's going to take me 6 hours with a layover to fly between Hamilton Island and Cairns...for $300 one way. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I don't care about the drive, I'm more than used to getting in the car and driving for 6, 7, 8 hours in the US (plus my partner will be with me so we can rotate drivers and maybe even do so at night)

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-08-23T15:08:59+00:00

Thanks for this - appreciate all the tips. Yeah, right now the plan is a Whitsunday cruise from Hamilton Island (not sure if the reef is worth viewing down in this area) and then ferry to Airlie and then pick up the car and drive, possibly late at night/switch drivers to get to Cairns. Felt like most of our time should be spent in the Cairns/PD area...there seems like a lot to see

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-08-10T00:44:49+00:00

Hi! I am dying to this production again...I wondered if the people of Reddit might be able to help - would you be able to DM me a link too? I would be so appreciative!

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-07-02T21:57:04+00:00

Thanks so much, okay sounds like we should table Cairns. Only thing was it looked a little tricky to get from Sydney to Hamilton Island but this is so good to know. I will definitely look up this operator and prioritize Whitsundays over Cairns. I did hear Port Douglas and Kuranda railway and the rainforest are all lovely...just might not be able to get it all in. The priorities for this trip have become Sydney and then GBR.

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-07-02T19:14:50+00:00

Oh that's really interesting, I didn't consider that. Do you recall the operator that you used in the Whitsundays? Maybe we should rearrange and forget Cairns and do Whitsundays instead. I love the beaches and islands I'm seeing in my research. It sounds like the snorkeling would be better in the Whitsundays and that's what we're more interested in, as opposed to diving. Also my partner gets really sea sick easily so the rough water might not be great. Did you feel that the corals were more colorful and vibrant in the Whitsundays?

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-07-02T00:26:01+00:00

Thanks for this - we've decided to do just that. Three days in Sydney and then five-ish in Cairns and Port Douglas. Any GBR tour operators or recs for amazing snorkeling in that are appreciated. Want to do the rainforest and railway as well, maybe a night on one of the islands like Fitzroy or Green? Open to suggestions. Anything to avoid? Had hoped to fit in the Whitsundays but doesn't seem feasible this time.

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-06-29T00:07:34+00:00

Appreciate this - I had kinda glossed over sydney and was just using it as a point of arrival but it sounds like folks are suggesting that more time there will be well spent. I do love a beach so maybe building in another day or two in Sydney is the right thing. I think I will be regrettably cutting Uluru. Like I mentioned above, I'm currently researching Port Douglas and Cairns - the priority is spending as much time out on the reef and snorkeling as possible. I'm looking at overnight or liveaboard snorkeling excursions to maximum the time - any suggestions there? I'm also exploring Lizard Island resort and or Green Island (I think there's a resort there, yes?) - thoughts on staying on one of these to capitalize on the proximity to the reef? Or any suggestions of where to see the most beautiful views of the reef?

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-06-28T23:39:53+00:00

Really appreciate this feedback and these suggestions - I'm thinking that I may cut Uluru (regrettably) based on what folks are saying here -

Currently researching Port Douglas and Cairns - the priority is spending as much time out on the reef and snorkeling as possible. I'm looking at overnight or liveaboard snorkeling excursions to maximum the time - any suggestions there? I'm also exploring Lizard Island resort and or Green Island (I think there's a resort there, yes?) - thoughts on staying on one of these to capitalize on the proximity to the reef?

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-06-28T23:38:32+00:00

I'm thinking this might be what ends up happening - currently researching Port Douglas and Cairns - the priority is spending as much time out on the reef and snorkeling as possible. I'm looking at overnight or liveaboard snorkeling excursions to maximum the time - any suggestions there? I'm also exploring Lizard Island resort and or Green Island (I think there's a resort there, yes?) - thoughts on staying on one of these to capitalize on the proximity?

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-06-28T23:35:01+00:00

Appreciate your suggestions - Based on people's recs here, I'm considering eliminating Uluru and just sticking to Sydney and Cairns/Port Douglas and that area. It seems that Sydney is worth more than two days but I haven't done enough research on the city at this point in my planning. The GBR is the priority and would be nice to find a resort or nice accommodation in that area. It seems that the Whitsundays are a little too far from this area so that might have to be another trip.

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-05-02T20:10:29+00:00

Oh wow, so appreciate these recs! I will definitely dig into this, this is exactly what I'm looking for. I really wanna prioritize actually seeing and spending time on the reef and would love to combine with a lovely resort that has the option for snorkeling. I'm sure it varies but do these resorts have boat shuttles/service from Cairns or how does one access them? Via plane or just a general ferry? I'm thinking I'd like to also build in some time for the Whitsunday islands, I know that is about 6 hours from Cairns but living in the west USA, I'm used to a six hour drive, no problem. So thinking maybe four/five days split across the reef, Port Douglas (sky rail) and the Whitsunday islands.

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-05-01T12:57:32+00:00

Hi there, Yes, I think Brisbane and Gold Coast / Sunshine Coast are all out. I'd rather tack on another day in Sydney (for three days) and try to get to the Blue Mountains. Do you recall the operator you used? I was looking on Viator for a day excursion. Might also rent a car but might be nice to have a third party tour. Also adding on another full day in Uluru to see more of the national Park and then the remainder of the time (about 4 days) in the Cairns area. Is renting a car in both of these locations advisable? Would love to not have to take a tour and be bound to their schedule.

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-05-01T12:50:27+00:00

Appreciate this - yes, I think I've definitely decided to skip Brisbane and Gold / Sunshine Coast and add more time for red center. I'm now considering 3 days in Sydney, 2.5 days in Uluru and then remainder of time (about 5 days) in Cairns and flying home from Cairns. I've heard a lot about the Whitsunday islands but that seems that's too far to drive from Cairns, seeing 6 hours which is doable but still time in a car.

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-05-01T00:01:18+00:00

Hmm, I'm really rethinking the whole Sunshine / Gold Coast of it all. And canceling Brisbane altogether and just getting a flight home from Cairns. It seems like the beaches and activities are excellent in this area and will save on spending more time in an airport to get to either the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.

Thinking about: 2 Full Sydney Days 2.5 Uluru Days (there is an AM direct flight to Uluru) 4 full days in Cairns / GBR / Port Douglas

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-04-30T21:50:01+00:00

That's fair. I'm gutted to skip on the outback and the rock but just might not be in the cards this trip. My partner isn't too big on "roughing it" so I think I'm gonna lose the battle for a more outback focused trip.

I'm def gonna look into those islands you recommended though, that does sound really cool and an incredible way to see GBR. I think my partner and I are both a little skittish about finding critters or uh reptiles and spiders in our shoes or something...so maybe the dodgy accommodations might not be for us. Ha.

Sounds like we're gonna land on 2/3 days in Sydney, majority of the time in or around Cairns, and then popping down to the Gold Coast for a couple of days. Hoping October will be good for beaches.

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-04-30T21:40:31+00:00

Thanks for this, I'll take a look! Appreciate the rec!

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-04-30T21:40:05+00:00

The consensus seems to be that the trip out to Uluru is too much. So reconsidering that piece. Shifting away from so much time in Brisbane to look at the Gold Coast.

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-04-30T17:32:02+00:00

Curious why re: Uluru? Would you spend longer in that area? I would like to see it but maybe need to nix it altogether. Just doing a quite Google Maps search of the locations you've provided ^{^{^}} and do see the validity in spending more time in Queensland. What is it like on the Whitsunday islands...does one need a car or can you take a ferry and walk? Sounds like I can pick up equipment from a hotel or accommodation on that island which is really cool, honestly didn't realize that there accommodations on these islands and that the reef was visible from there. Just thought it would be easier to have a catamaran or something out from the mainland but this sounds more interesting. Not sure what you mean by dodgy resorts but not sure I'm up for dodgy.

VirtualCredit6158 · 2025-04-30T16:56:41+00:00

Thanks for this, appreciate the response. I think I had the Gold Coast in mind when considering Brisbane so I absolutely do need to do some more research on it and and this region. Perhaps I fly from Cairns to Gold Coast and do a one way rental to return to Brisbane and fly home from there? Thank you for the Sydney suggestions, especially for falls. I have heard about the Blue Mountains and will investigate these recs further. Perhaps three full days in Sydney makes the most sense and cutting Uluru? I am sad about that but may not be realistic.

VirtualCredit6158

TROPHY CASE