Expert: Mick Maurer - 6/22/2007

Question
Hello Mick,

My husband and I are taking a 3 week vacation to Australia in mid to late September.  We are planning to start in the Cairns area and continue to Brisbane by rail.  We have a general idea of where we want to go between those cities and I would like your opinion about our itinerary.  From Cairns, we’re thinking of heading to the Mission Beach area for rafting on the Tully River.  From there, we’ll maybe go to Arlie Beach for a night or so and then head to the Whitsunday Islands.  We aren’t that big on resort/spa accommodations and are thinking perhaps Hook Island.  It sounds like we should be able to explore other islands from Hook.  From there we might head inland to the Carnarvon National Park for a couple nights (probably via rental car).  From there, we’d like to spend a few nights on the Sunshine/Fraser Coast.  We are having trouble deciding on a place to stay in this area.  We’ll end our trip on the Gold Coast around Coolangatta and probably check out the northern beaches of NSW too.  We are also interested in the area around 1770/Agnes Water, but do not know if we will have time to explore it.  Perhaps we could rent a car from the Sunshine Coast area if there are some “can’t miss” sites.  In addition, we are interested in finding some uncrowded beaches, so I’m curious to know your recommendations on good places to stay to find them.  

We’d appreciate any insight you can provide on our vacation.

Thanks very much!  

Answer
Rhinna:
You have done a lot of good research.  We loved rafting the Tully and hook is a good choice if you are on a budget.
The beaches south of Surfers Paradise are mostly nice and if you can find an apartment to rent near the beach, it should be quiet and uncrowded, especially in September.  If you get near Bundaberg, the rum factory there is fun.  I also really like shopping and doing lunch in Byron Bay.  The beach there is pretty good but mostly for surfers.
Finally, the wildlife plark south of Collongata is very good.

Mick Maurer
Aussie Travel