First AU trip: Central/North Queensland coast

Starting to plan my first AU trip hopefully for this early-mid October,
and I have to say its a bit daunting!
I've narrowed down the travel to Townsville-Port Douglas area (about 8
days in that area) with one friend, and I was wondering if anyone had
good suggestions on (I have purchased a few books already):

I am hoping to spend a couple/few days on an island or elsewhere and
then snorkel and explore the reef those days, the rest of the time
spend driving the coast, exploring rainforests, etc.

- Advice on islands that are preferred for snorkeling and exploring the
reef area for a couple of days (and are most likely to have the
clearest water and be most accessible that time of year)? I am ok with
spending a fair amount (I have read islands like Heron, Hayman can be
expensive)? And on these island can you usually snorkel right off the
beach, or always take a boat out into the reef?

- If snorkeling around Cairns, is it best to simply just stay on one of
the islands nearby and then snorkel off the coast of the islands (if
possible) or from the island by boat, or just take day trips out from
Cairns for snorkeling?

- Easiest way to travel into this region after flying into Sydney (best
to fly to a specific airport, or fly a bit further and then drive to
enjoy the sights?). With such a short stay, it seems that selecting an
island that is reasonably accessible (hopefully not to
crowded/touristy) is the way to go and remain in that drivable area for
the duration of the trip, instead of attempting to visit an island
perhaps at the south end of the reef and then have to fly or take a
long drive up to Cairns - seems like might take up a lot of vacation
time.

Any ideas?
Thanks so much!!

May I suggest you fly from Sydney to Cairns and spend the time in that area
(which includes as far north as Port Douglas).

From Cairns you will comfortably spend your time and at the end you will
wonder where it all went but remember it for the rest of your life.

Incidentally, Townsville to Cairns by road is 335 kms. Easily driven in a
day (about 4 hours no stops) but there is not a great deal about Townsville.

In between there is much to see if you diverge from the highway, but the
Atherton Tableland in the Cairns hinterland is more attractive with lots to
see.

As for snorkelling, I suggest a day trip to the reef from Port Douglas.
Expensive per person but well worth it for the full day. Once you have been
snorkelling on the (Agincourt) reef off Douglas you won't find better.

It's nice to think you can stay on an inexpensive tropical island and walk
into the water and do a little snorkelling for free. In reality it is
unlikely. There are no inexpensive islands (with accommodation) in the
tropics and you cannot just walk onto a reef to get into the water (have you
ever stepped on a piece of coral?)

It's nice to think you can visit some exotic destination "far from the
madding crowd". In reality it is unlikely. Everyone else wants to do it,
too. There are destinations that aren't too crowded at times but it's a bit
like the weather - you take "pot luck".

It's nice to think that you can jump on a plane anytime in Oz and fly where
ever you need to go. In reality it is unlikely. Regular services between
main cities are often heavily loaded and booking needs to be days or even
weeks in advance to ensure a seat on some flights. Regional services are
much more sparse and often by smaller plane. e.g. you can't just jump on a
plane in Cairns to visit the Stockmans' Hall of Fame in Longreach.

It's nice to think you can jump into a hire car and drive from A to B in a
couple of hours. In reality it is unlikely. Driving in Oz, even on major
highways, is not for the faint hearted. Once you leave major centres the
highways usually degrade into country roads. Nothing wrong with them but
just "a dual carriage way" i.e. one lane each way. With regular stops for
food and fuel etc. you can expect to average about 80/85 km/h in Queensland
country. Diving "hard" you might average 90/95.

Here are a few URLs to get you started:

http://www.qld.gov.au/leisure_and_culture/holidays.html a Queensland Govt
page
http://www.csu.edu.au/australia/tourism.html a Charles Sturt University
page
http://www.avalook.com.au/index.htm a web page from someone who lives near
Proserpine
http://tinyurl.com/9ezr4 my own home page


Ross

"nwaiterh" wrote in message
ups.com...
Starting to plan my first AU trip hopefully for this early-mid October,
and I have to say its a bit daunting!
I've narrowed down the travel to Townsville-Port Douglas area (about 8
days in that area) with one friend, and I was wondering if anyone had
good suggestions on (I have purchased a few books already):

I am hoping to spend a couple/few days on an island or elsewhere and
then snorkel and explore the reef those days, the rest of the time
spend driving the coast, exploring rainforests, etc.

- Advice on islands that are preferred for snorkeling and exploring the
reef area for a couple of days (and are most likely to have the
clearest water and be most accessible that time of year)? I am ok with
spending a fair amount (I have read islands like Heron, Hayman can be
expensive)? And on these island can you usually snorkel right off the
beach, or always take a boat out into the reef?

- If snorkeling around Cairns, is it best to simply just stay on one of
the islands nearby and then snorkel off the coast of the islands (if
possible) or from the island by boat, or just take day trips out from
Cairns for snorkeling?

- Easiest way to travel into this region after flying into Sydney (best
to fly to a specific airport, or fly a bit further and then drive to
enjoy the sights?). With such a short stay, it seems that selecting an
island that is reasonably accessible (hopefully not to
crowded/touristy) is the way to go and remain in that drivable area for
the duration of the trip, instead of attempting to visit an island
perhaps at the south end of the reef and then have to fly or take a
long drive up to Cairns - seems like might take up a lot of vacation
time.

Any ideas?
Thanks so much!!