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Accomadtion-what to do

staying at the Whitsundays and Fraser Island

16 years ago, August 13th 2007 No: 1 Msg: #17897 Delete Edit

pies2di4
Steven McCulloch

N Posts: 2

Hi! I am planning in heading out to Oz next June. I have been before, and have travelled up the Eat Coast, however I never did Fraser Island and thew Whitsundays and I really want to do them this time-how long would I need at them!!
I was just wondering how I go about staying at these places-do I camp, stay in a hostel?? Also how do i get there! I was thinking about buying one of those flexi bus tickets (if you have any recommendations on those please say!) is there stops close to these or how does it work?
My plan is to go from Sydney to Cairns on the bus, then fly back down to Sydney!

Any suggestions would be great, cheers Reply to this

16 years ago, August 15th 2007 No: 2 Msg: #18021 Delete Edit

MacCallumWorldTrek
Bill & Sue MacCallum

B Posts: 77

There are lots of places to stay at Airlie Beach. We stayed at the Big 4 campground (there are two of them there if I remember correctly). You don't need to have a tent - you can rent a cabin. As for Fraser Island there are many ways of doing it. You can take a one day bus tour like we did, or rent an AWD vehicle and see it yourself. The jump off point is usually Hervey Bay, where again, there are lots of accommodations to choose from including campgrounds.

Reply to this

16 years ago, August 17th 2007 No: 3 Msg: #18137 Delete Edit

pies2di4
Steven McCulloch

N Posts: 2

Thanks! If any others have suggestions about it, please say Reply to this

16 years ago, September 12th 2007 No: 4 Msg: #19335 Delete Edit

vicki_blue_eyes
vicki webster

N Posts: 7

Hi

i did both Fraser island and Whitsundays on my Ozzie trip. With the Whitsundays i went out for a 4 night 3 day trip with Prosail and i have to say it was FANTASTIC! i stayed at Airlie beach before and after, which is a major stop for ANY bus company (i used greyhound). The crew actually got you involved in sailing the boat and you sleep onboard (either in the cabin or out on the deck under the stars) The boats stop off at various islands and u can get off and play games and explore and stuff, snorkeliing is included as most boats have equipment on board. the type of boats range from fast cruisers to traditional 'Schooners' and my personal fave (and the one i went on) an old fashioned wooden with HUGE sails (think Pirates of the Caribbean! honestly it was amazing) it even had a hammock between the beams - check out their website www.prosail.com

With Fraser Island i did the 4wd Self drive which was about 3 nights, 2 days and there were about 6 of us to a van thing. You camp (tents included on the van) and are basically self sufficient for the whole trip. Supplies are brought at Hervey Bay (again, a major stop for buses) before u get on the ferry to the Island and then ur on ur own! obviosly u get a map and rules and stuff, but more or less its up to u where u want to go and when. I would say though, dont miss the ferry back or they charge u loads in over staying on the island (didnt happen to us thank god!) i went over there with Hervey Bay backpackers (i think) and it was a great trip. saw some dingoes - quite exciting and basking sharks. I think having the flexibility is the best way to go - but then if u would rather be on a schedule then go for an organised tour.

If u want any other info just let me know! i could go on for ages about Ozzie......Lol

Vicki. x Reply to this

16 years ago, December 28th 2007 No: 5 Msg: #24721 Delete Edit

Larissa at Peterpans
Larissa Fuller

N Posts: 5

Hello!! I am an Australian Travel Agent that specialises in Backpacker travel everywhere in Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. I am part of an exciting travel company called Peterpans Adventure Travel, that offers the best rates for fantastic backpacker holiday packages. I have lived in Australia my whole life, done loads of travel and am a great source of knowledge on whats great in Australia! Please don't hesitate with ANY questions you may have about Beautiful Australia!

TOTALLY HAVE THE ANSWERS FOR THIS ONE!!

Whitsunday's / Airlie Beach - The most popular thing to do here is a live aboard boat sail. You actually sleep on the boat each night with all your food included. It also includes all your snorkeling gear and allows you to sail most of the 74 Whitsunday Islands, jumping off at places such as Whitehaven beach to play beach games or have walks through the rainforests.

YOU DO have to be careful about what boats you choose. There are party boats that are really cheap but heaps of fun, chill/relax boats, famous racing maxi boats, pirate ships or the classic timber sailing schooners. They all vary in times from 2 day 1 night or 2 days 2 nights or even 3 days 2 nights!! They range in prices starting from only $279 up to $600.00 depending on the quality of sail you are after.

Accommodation in Airlie Beach has a great party atmoshpere, although this does mean louder hostels than what you may be used too. We have a few that we book on our system, although are close to clubs and on the main strip of Airlie Beach.

Fraser Island - The best place to go to depart fro Fraser Island is Rainbow Beach. Hervey bay is another area where you can go from although it is more industrial that Rainbow Beach. Id much rather spend my time travelling in Rainbow if I had the choice.

The most popular tour to do over to Fraser Island is a 3 day 2 night self guided safari. It is with a fantastic company who offer packages with 1-3 nights stay at their hostel in Rainbow before and after you go over to the island. You need to attend a 1.30pm meeting the day before you leave on your trip where they do a safety briefing and put you into groups of approx 11 people. The trip is not guided and you all take in turns of driving 4WD's accross the sandy island. You get given maps, all of your food in the vehicles and your ferry transfers over and back to the island. Each night the convoys of cars that left that same day all meet up and cook dinner together and have a few bivvies and a catchup on their amazing day. Accommodation is camping.

This is a mega cheap option and a great oppertunity to meet travellers. You can also do totally guided safaris for 3 days 2 nights if you are interested in that too.

At the moment in my Adelaide store I have a special where if you book a Whitsunday sail you get a fraser island trip for FREE!! Great combo, great options for boats and comes in really in expensive!! If you want any help on this, please don't hesiate to ask anything, I can do anything over email!

Have you heard of Cape Tribulation too?? Its another popular place to go just above Cairns. A world heritage listed rainforest that meets the Great Barrier reef, IT IS STUNNNING!!! Deff. a must see if you are doing the east coast, along with any activity in Cairns to see the Great Barrier Reef.

pheww, thats it from me, I just get so excited with East Coast Packages!! People expect a fortune but It doesn't have to be like that!!

Happy travels!! Reply to this