AboutFrank Denison Expertise I have lived in Brisbane all my life (51 years). I am very proud of our city and the Sunshine State of Queensland. I am happy to help in any way possible. Queensland is a very humid and hot place in Summer, which makes it great for outdoor fun.
Experience I have a great love and knowledge of Brisbane and the surrounding areas. I holiday on the Sunshine Coast every year, and visit the Gold Coast numerous times during the year for work. We love to dine out, and can recommend many places to try in Brisbane and the Coasts.
My partner and I are due to hit Sydney on Tuesday 13th October 09 and have arranged two nights accomodation at Hyde Park area. We were thinking of getting rail passes for the east coast discovery route train up to Cairns where we sadley fly out of early Saturday 24th October. Probably a bit vague of a question but if you had a short time as we do in Australia what definate things on our train journey should we plan for along the route?
Thanks Frank in advance!!
ANSWER: Hi Alison,
You are right, it is a short time, but you can still see some great sights.
If you have 2 days in Sydney, that leaves 12 days to get to Cairns for your departure.
I did a search of the east coast discovery route train, and of the locations you can visit, I would recommend the following :- Forster, Byron bay, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Whitsundays. If you cant or dont want to see that many spots, make sure you at least see Whitsundays. Whitsundays is spectacular and you can get to the great barrier reef from there.
The first stop after you leave Sydney, is Forster. Forster is a little gem of a town, surrounded by a lot of water. Some great restaurants by the beach, and plenty of accomodation options. I would stay one night if possible.
Byron Bay is the most easterly point of Australia. Very laid back, beautiful beaches. Once again plenty of accomodation options. Stay 1 night.
Gold Coast is the next stop. While the Gold Coast has a lot of attractions, I find it very "touristy". You have all the theme parks there (Movieworld, Seaworld, Dreamworld. If you want to see action and into movies, go to movie world. If you want to see dolphins and sharks, head to Seaworld. Absolute thousands of options for where to stay. If you wanted to skip one destination, you could miss Gold Coast. 1 Night would be enough.
Brisbane I would stay 2 nights minimum. Lots to see, and not enough time !!. Take a day to relax in Brisbane and visit Southbank. A 10 minute stroll from the city to Southbank. It has a beautiful beach beside the river and you lay on the beach looking back over the Brisbane skyline. See link for options at Southbank http://www.visitsouthbank.com.au/ & http://goaustralia.about.com/library/weekly/blpicsb5.htm You also have GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) and the Museum walking distance from Southbank and the city.
An hours drive north of Brisbane (or train) lands you at Australia Zoo, which is a great day out.
Then onto Whitsundays. You will arrive at a town called Proserpine on the train, which is 45 mins from Airlie Beach and Whitsundays. Airlie Beach is a very vibrant town. There are endless tour options to see the reef or go sailing or just kicking back. I wouldnt worry about going to the "big" main islands as they are overrated, and expensive. One place you must visit is Whithaven beach. Just Beautiful. 2 Nights would give you enough time to snorkel on the reef and see Whithaven beach.
Ciarns - If you miss the reef at Whitsundays, you can get there from Cairns. I would however try to get to the Kuranda Range. You can catch a train to Kuranda, which is a very scenic and relaxing ride. Make sure you have your camera ready when you get to Baron Falls.
If you went non stop Stdney to Cairns by train, it would take close to 3 days, so with your stops, there is no spare time.
If you want to find out anymore about the options I suggested or, if I can be of any assistance when you are in Brisbane, just contact me again.
Enjoy your trip.
Regards,
Frank
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QUESTION: Frank,
Wonderful - thank you for the info! Its wonderful to see so many friendly people are willing to help out folk travelling abroad, the internet was a great thing in this context. We really are on a tight schedule and the areas you mention sound wonderful. We like to shy away from tourist hot spots in favour of adventure, walks and scenary so your options sound right up our street!
Brisbane is on the cards if only to see the Aus Zoo. We heard frazer island might be worth a visit? Byron Bay i hear is a must. The Whitsundays (as you note via Airlie beach) sounds great - would we even have time to see Cairns, who knows but i better get planning for all this!
Advice on weather conditions on our trip (13-24 October 2009) - any tips on clothing? We land in Sydney after 7 days in NZ (AUK-Queenstown) so we hear jeans and a jacket are required there (plus always ahve a brolly). We pack super light and only ever bring 35Litre bags with us anywhere in the world so the advice would be very much welcomed on this.
Again frank, best wishes to you and your family and we look forward to seeing your part of the world in October!!
Alison & Hugh
Edinburgh, Scotland.
Answer Alison & Hugh,
I was quite amazed when I saw you were from Edinburg. Our son was there last weekend. (he loved it by the way).
Sydney will be coldest, but no too bad. A jacket and jeans will be fine. Once you hit Brisbane and further north, you will only need a jacket at night, and in FNQ (Far North Queensland, you may not even need that at night.
Fraser Island is beautiful, and if you can squeeze it into your schedule, you would enjoy it. With your timeframes, I would not put it before the places I suggested.
Once again, if I can be of any assistance when you arrive in Brisbane, just contact me again.
Regards,
Frank
