OK, so here's the deal. I've read tons of posts, but would like other people's input. I'm landing in Syndney at 7am on the 10th of November. I do well with jet lag and am using a boatload of points to get first class and will more or less have a bed. I leave on the 28th from Syndney in the morning.
I have family that live in Newcastle and want to spend a good deal of time with them. My other goals are diving the reef and doing some sailing/adventuring around the Whitsunday islands. I'm actually doing my diving course this month here in Seattle and will be certified before my trip. I'm also on a budget. I basically have enough planned in my head to get to Cairns, stay there (hostels), do a 3-4 day liveaboard, go to Airlie (somehow) and get back to Newcastle.
There is much on here about how bad Cairns diving is unless you go to Cod (or expensive) Hole/Coral Sea. The cheapest liveaboard to out there runs about $900USD plus they seem to nickle and dime you for every little thing. The diving might be better, but I'm not sure if I can justify to myself spending that much. The reviews on the 3-4 day liveaboards near Cairns are mixed. Is there some balance of something in between spending a grand and being part of 100 people chasing 1 fish over dead coral?
My thoughts right now are either hanging out for the weekend with the relatives then going to Cairns and coming down to Airlie or just going that morning to Airlie. I'm not sure that I can get anywhere in time to be part of a dive/sail tour that day. Maybe I could do some kayaking somewhere. The biggest questions I need help with are:
Flight connections and what order to fly in. I'll be arriving in Sydney, visiting Cairns probably, Airlie and Newcastle.
What liveaboard to go on. Is there anything in Airlie that is good enough to let me skip Cairns?
Should I stay with family first or later.
How much time should I spend in Sydney.
Any thoughts and opinions would be appreciated...
I have family that live in Newcastle and want to spend a good deal of time with them. My other goals are diving the reef and doing some sailing/adventuring around the Whitsunday islands. I'm actually doing my diving course this month here in Seattle and will be certified before my trip. I'm also on a budget. I basically have enough planned in my head to get to Cairns, stay there (hostels), do a 3-4 day liveaboard, go to Airlie (somehow) and get back to Newcastle.
There is much on here about how bad Cairns diving is unless you go to Cod (or expensive) Hole/Coral Sea. The cheapest liveaboard to out there runs about $900USD plus they seem to nickle and dime you for every little thing. The diving might be better, but I'm not sure if I can justify to myself spending that much. The reviews on the 3-4 day liveaboards near Cairns are mixed. Is there some balance of something in between spending a grand and being part of 100 people chasing 1 fish over dead coral?
My thoughts right now are either hanging out for the weekend with the relatives then going to Cairns and coming down to Airlie or just going that morning to Airlie. I'm not sure that I can get anywhere in time to be part of a dive/sail tour that day. Maybe I could do some kayaking somewhere. The biggest questions I need help with are:
Flight connections and what order to fly in. I'll be arriving in Sydney, visiting Cairns probably, Airlie and Newcastle.
What liveaboard to go on. Is there anything in Airlie that is good enough to let me skip Cairns?
Should I stay with family first or later.
How much time should I spend in Sydney.
Any thoughts and opinions would be appreciated...