My wife, our 3-year-old son, and I are planning a trip along Australia’s East Coast, leaving in early October and returning in mid-November. The plan is to do a 4-week road trip in a campervan, then settle down for about ten days.
The question I’m asking myself is: which way should we go? From Sydney to Cairns or the other way around? Despite all the documentation I’ve read, I’m still struggling to decide the best direction based on the climate at that time and swimming conditions.
Up north, the weather will be warmer, and the water too, unlike the south. However, in the north, there are swimming restrictions, especially because of jellyfish, whereas in the south, there seems to be less danger (apart from sharks, maybe). Are there many protected beaches in the north where we can swim safely?
Also, I should consider that in the south, the Great Barrier Reef no longer protects the beaches, so I imagine there are fewer calm spots for swimming?
I’d love any tips or advice you can share, and thanks in advance!
I’d recommend going from north to south because it’ll be warmer up north, and you’ll be heading into summer in October-November. To maximize your chances, it makes sense to go that way to try and avoid the worst of the heat and rain as much as possible.
As for beaches, I’m less familiar with northern Queensland than the south, but around Cairns, between the crocodiles, jellyfish, and water that isn’t the clearest (it’s a bit murky around Cairns-Palm Cove, etc.), it’s not necessarily the best spot for swimming. For me, it’s more of a place to go on excursions to the Great Barrier Reef than to spend the day at the beach. That said, there are protected beaches with nets pretty much everywhere. For clearer water and sheltered bays, I’d suggest heading to the islands (Magnetic Island or the Whitsundays, for example).
Further south, it’s roughly around Bundaberg that there are no more jellyfish (and no crocodiles either). The best spots for swimming in peace, in my opinion, would be around Agnes Water and further down toward Noosa (before reaching Brisbane). Otherwise, a bit further south (I live near Byron Bay), you can also swim in November. The water’s still chilly, but on sunny days, it’s doable. Around Sydney, though, I’d say it’s still too cold (but that depends on your tolerance for cold water).
First of all, a big thank you for taking the time to reply and for your valuable tips.
Following your advice and some further research, it does seem more sensible to travel along the coast from Cairns to Sydney.
Once in Sydney, we’re planning to spend 2–3 days exploring the city. After that, we’d like to head somewhere between Sydney and Brisbane to relax for a week in beach mode (a seaside hotel with a pool). Which spots would you recommend?
Since we won’t have a vehicle, what are our options for getting there? Taxi, bus, train, plane, or renting a car (we’d rather not, as we’ll be resting and won’t be doing much sightseeing)?
Hi and sorry for the delay—I was traveling to Fraser Island! :)
So, for a car-free stop between Sydney and Brisbane that’s super "chill" and beachy but still has restaurants and things to do, Byron Bay would be the spot, though it’s pretty spread out. Without a car, it might get a little frustrating. For example, if you’re staying in the center and want to go to Wategos—a nice beach—it’s a 35-minute walk. Doable, but with a 3-year-old, it won’t exactly be relaxing (unless they walk way better than my kids, haha). Still, it’s manageable since there are Ubers and bike rentals. There are also flights from Sydney to Ballina, and from there, it’s easy to find a transfer/taxi to Byron Bay. Another option I think is more compact is Noosa. Just make sure to book a place near the main street (Hastings Street), where there’s a proper shopping strip along the beach, the national park, and smaller beaches are closer. The downside? Accommodation there is pretty pricey. But there’s also an airport at the Sunshine Coast (MCY) nearby, with easy taxi options to get there. One last option would be Hamilton Island (Whitsundays), which is *really* set up for car-free travel. You can use golf carts, and everything is within walking distance. I think for pure relaxation, it’s the best choice, and there are direct flights from Sydney. That said, for all three options, I’d say 4-5 days without a car would be plenty.
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Zone 1 DARWIN du 17 au 22 août (6J)
Activités, visites : Crocosaurus Cove, Survol parc Kakadu, Excursion 3 jours Parcs Kakadu, Lichtfield, Katherine
Vol pour Alice springs le 23
Zone 2 ALICE SPRINGS - ULURU du 23 au 30 août (8J)
Location de voiture
Activités, visites : Alice Springs (1J), West Mc Donnel Ranges (1J), Parc Watarrka, Uluru (3J)
Vol pour Cairns le 31
Zone 3 CAIRNS du 31 août au 9 septembre (10J)
Location de voiture du 31 au 6
Activités, visites : Port Douglas, Daintree rainforest, Mt Quincan, Herberton Historic Village, Cairns, Grande barrière corail
Bus pour Townsville le 10
ZONE 4 TOWNSVILLE - NOOSA du 10 au 26 septembre (17J)
Activités, visites : Magnetic Island
Bus pour Airlie Beach le 13
Activités, visites : WhiteSundays Island, Grande barrière corail
Location de voiture du 17 au 20
Activités, visites : Parc Eungella
Bus de nuit de Mackay pour Hervey Bay du 20 au 21
Activités, visites : K'gari
Bus pour Noosa le 25
Activités, visites : Parc National Noosa
Bus pour Brisbane le 27
ZONE 5 BRISBANE du 27 septembre au 1 octobre (5J)
Location de voiture du 29 au 1
Activités, visites : Brisbane, Glass House Mountains, Parc Springbrook, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Bus pour Coffs Harbour le 2
ZONE 6 COFFS HARBOUR du 2 au 4 octobre
Location de voiture du 3 au 4
Activités, visites : Parc Dorrigo
Bus de nuit pour Sydney du 4 au 5
ZONE 7 SYDNEY du 5 au 9 octobre (5J)
Location de voiture du 7 au 9
Activités, visites : Sydney, Blue Mountains, Jenolan caves
Bus de nuit pour Melbourne du 9 au 19
Zone 8 MELBOURNE du 10 au 16 octobre (7J)
Location de voiture du 13 au 16
Activités, visites : Melbourne, Philip Island, Great Ocean Road
Vol pour Hobart le 17
Zone 9 TASMANIE du 17 au 23 octobre (6J)
Location de voiture du 17 au 23
Activités, visites : Hobart, Péninsule Tasman, Parc Freycinet, Natureworld
Vol pour Perth le 23
Zone 10 PERTH du 24 au 27 octobre (4J)
Activités, visites : Rottnest Island, Waverock, Perth
Vol pour Paris le 28
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the scattered info out there and I'm struggling to organize my solo trip to French Polynesia. I'm all about snorkeling—no hiking for me—so it's all about the water, water, water... I'd love to meet whales (what's the best season?), stay with locals or in budget guesthouses (I'm pretty low-key, no worries about comfort), and most importantly, be as close to the coral reefs as possible (all day long...).
I'm retired, so I've got plenty of time...
If you can help, it would mean the world to me.
Thanks everyone! !
Hi,
I'm planning a trip to this region in November. My initial plan was Adelaide-Darwin by van, but I'm worried about those critters. I'm now considering staying in hotels instead, but for the Red Centre, camping is more practical... if we overlook those pests.
What do you think? Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m reaching out because I’m finally living my dream later this year, and I could really use your advice!
On December 26th, I’m flying to Tahiti, then Moorea, and finally Bora-Bora.
Since I’ll be staying in Bora-Bora for several days, I’d love to take a day trip to another island: either Maupiti or Tahaa-Raiatea (my top picks...).
My issue is that the schedules for getting to Tahaa and then to Raiatea don’t quite work for me. Here are the two options I’ve looked into:
**Option 1: Day trip to Tahaa-Raiatea**
- Morning departure at 7:00 AM to Tahaa from Vaitape (I’ll be staying on a motu, so I need to check if there’s a shuttle connecting the motu to Vaitape early enough).
- Arrival at 8:15 AM in Poutoru, Tahaa. Tour of the island, visit to a vanilla plantation.
- Hire a "private" boat to Raiatea around 12:00–1:00 PM.
- Tour of Raiatea.
- Departure at 4:00 PM from Uturoa (Raiatea) back to Bora-Bora.
**Option 2: Day trip to Maupiti**
- Morning departure from Bora-Bora at 8:30 AM.
- Arrival in Maupiti at 10:05 AM. Visit the island and the motus.
- Return in the evening at 4:00 PM.
My questions:
- Will I have enough time to explore Tahaa-Raiatea from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM?
- Car rental? Bike rental? For all three islands...
- Time lost during rentals?
- Distance between rental shops and the ports where I arrive?
- For Tahaa and Raiatea, should I hire a guide? Would that be better organized, meaning no car rental needed, to save time or explore the island on my own?
- Finally, what do you think of these three islands and their points of interest? Which would you choose between Maupiti and Tahaa-Raiatea?
If you can shed some light on this, I’d be so grateful!!!!!!!
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and advice!
Hello! We’re heading to the Marquesas in July-August and I’d love to know if it’s possible, for a fee, to do a leg of the journey on the Aranui—like from Hiva Oa to Fatu Hiva, or Nuku Hiva to Ua Pou, or even Ua Pou to Ua Huka? Sure, there are shuttles twice a week with Codim connecting these islands, but the schedules won’t be known until two months in advance, and I need to book flights and hotels much earlier than that. So, what’s the best way to handle this?
Looking forward to your replies—thanks in advance!
Elisabeth Marcel
babeth.marcel@yahoo.fr
Hi there,
I’d like to go to French Polynesia.
I found round-trip flights for 650 € with Air Caraïbes.
That seems really cheap—anyone here who can tell me about this airline if you’ve flown with them before?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi everyone. I’ve got a round-trip ticket to Perth for 4 weeks. Is it better to stay on the west coast the whole time?
Or should I grab a round-trip to the east coast?
Or even head over to NZ as well?
Thanks for your tips.
We’re crossing New Zealand next April and we’re wondering which to choose between exploring Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.
The first is more well-known, famous, and popular, a UNESCO natural heritage site, while the second can be just as spectacular—bigger, harder to access, and less touristy.
Thanks for your thoughts!
I’ve blocked out 3 weeks at the end of March/beginning of April, arriving in Sydney and departing from Adelaide while following the coast.
Kangaroo Island is a bit of a question mark for me. If I go, I can dedicate 2.5 days to it. Is it worth the time and the cost? I’ve read plenty of travel journals highlighting the landscapes and wildlife, but I’m sure I’ll see plenty of that along my route anyway. I’m not factoring in the financial side (which isn’t negligible for KI), but I’d rather not be disappointed. What are the real added values of KI, especially since the island has been affected by fires? I’ve also come across people online calling it a tourist trap. For example, I ruled out Phillip Island because it felt too organized and structured. Sorry if I’m opening Pandora’s box here!
Hi! I just spent a month in New Caledonia (backpacking/tent) and I know some of you were looking for info on accommodations and itineraries, so feel free to reach out if you want me to share my little experience. Just to say—New Caledonia is AMAZING!!!
Hi there,
I just got back from two weeks in Fiji, and I noticed the forum discussions here are a bit outdated (the most recent ones are from 2017).
So feel free to ask if you'd like an update!
Hi,
I’m heading to Viti Levu, the main island, for a few days’ vacation.
I usually rent a two-wheeler to keep some independence.
On several forums, people advised against it—first because it’s not really the local culture, and also because of the road conditions and local driving habits.
But I’m a bit wary of English-language forums where the typical vacation is just airport-resort-airport with a taxi in between.
Can you confirm if it’s really that risky compared to, say, Southeast Asia? What are the alternatives? Buses, taxis?
Thanks!
I’m planning and budgeting a trip to Australia for August 2026, lasting 40 days.
Here’s the current itinerary:
Arrival at Port Macquarie Airport in New South Wales and return from Cairns Airport in Queensland.
- South West Rock
- Cap Ridge Park
- Springbrook Park
- Stradbroke Island
- Maleny
- Noosa
- Rainbow Beach
- K’Gari
- Gladstone
- Heron Island
- Airlie Beach
- Townsville
- Magnetic Island
- Cairns
- Cape Tribulation
My main issue is transport to cover all of this.
The first leg is already tricky—I haven’t found a way to rent a car in Port Macquarie and drop it off in South West Rock.
And if we keep the vehicle until Cleveland (8 days) before taking the ferry to Stradbroke Island, it’s already around 1000 €.
- Are there any systems where we could buy a vehicle in Port Macquarie and be sure it’s bought back at the end of the trip in Cairns?
- Do you know of any Australian online car rental sites?
As for trains, they’re not really an option for our stay in New South Wales.
In Queensland, I found the Queensland Rail Travel website with a Brisbane–Cairns line, but trains don’t run every day.
- Do you know of any other train companies in Queensland that connect coastal cities from Brisbane to Cairns?
For flights, I checked Queensland with Qantas, and most routes require a stopover in Brisbane, which wastes a lot of time, and the prices are still high.
Do you know of any low-cost airlines for domestic flights in Australia?
2025 is shaping up to be amazing, as I’m lucky enough to be planning a 6-week trip to Polynesia.
I wanted to buy the *Guide du Routard* (my favorite), but I discovered there isn’t one for this destination. And the *Lonely Planet* is from 2022, which I feel is already a bit outdated.
So I’m looking for other resources: in your opinion, what’s the best paper guide, and most importantly, what online resources have you used to prepare a trip to Polynesia?
Hi there,
for a 6-month trip to Australia and NZ starting in NOVEMBER, I’d like to visit PNG and the Solomon Islands. Has anyone already explored these two countries?
How can you travel solo there—transport, accommodation, banking, safety—and what’s the best way to get there from AUS?
Thanks for any tips! Are there any French-language sites about these destinations?
Cheers,
jps
Hi there,
I’m leaving on March 4th for Australia from Réunion Island, landing in Perth, then a road trip down to Melbourne before flying out to Vietnam on April 15th.
I’d like to visit Perth and the surrounding area, then head southwest to Margaret River, Albany, Esperance, and back to Perth to catch a flight to Adelaide. From there, I’ll make my way to Melbourne.
1/ What do you think of this itinerary?
2/ For flights, are there any domestic airlines worth prioritizing for good prices?
3/ I’m planning to rent a car after exploring Perth and the area—I’m traveling solo. Any rental companies you’d recommend, as well as nice hotels, B&Bs, or hostels?
4/ Any tips, good deals, or info are welcome—don’t hesitate to share!
Thanks in advance.
I’m planning a solo trip from April 16th to June 2nd!
I have to work for 3 weeks in Papeete when I arrive in French Polynesia, so I can only explore on the weekends (3-day weekends). For my first weekend, I’ll visit Tahiti; my second weekend will be dedicated to Moorea, and the last weekend to Huahine.
After my work period, I’ll continue with my vacation and keep exploring:
Maupiti - 4 nights
Raiatea - 3 nights (including a day trip to Tahaa)
Bora Bora - 3 nights
Rangiroa - 4 nights (could do 3)
Tikehau - 2 nights (could do 3)
Fakarava - 3 nights
For activities, I’m mostly interested in discovering the islands, hiking, and observing wildlife.
I’m not a diver, but I plan to do a beginner’s dive once I’m there. I love snorkeling, though, and I’m wondering if I’m spending too much time in the Tuamotus, which are famous for diving from what I’ve seen.
For travel between the islands, I’ve already looked into the Bora Tuamotu Max pass, which seems like the best option, but I’d love advice on replacing it with one or more ferries.
What do you think? I’m struggling to finalize my itinerary.
We’ll be in Adelaide from February 24th to March 4th and we’d like to spend 3 days and 2 nights on Kangaroo Island.
Any recommendations?
We always travel with simple accommodations
Hi everyone, we're heading to Australia next month. We have 7 days to go from Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road. Should we visit Kangaroo Island or not? We can't decide! Thanks for your advice.
We really want to see kangaroos and koalas in their natural habitat.
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to NZ at the end of January.
It’s peak season—do you think it’s necessary to book activities in advance (like a cruise to Milford Sound), or is it not essential?
Thanks
We’ll be in New Zealand starting March 15th. We’re considering renting a car from Christchurch to Auckland. We’ve read that a lot of ferries have been canceled—is that true? Would it be better to rent one car in the South Island and another in the North Island? Thanks, and happy New Year!
Hi,
When I hear our French friends talk about them, they’re the most beautiful islands in the world.
For those of you who’ve traveled extensively, is that really the case?
Are the prices for accommodation, even basic ones, justified? Isn’t a room in a family-run guesthouse at 150/200 € a bit much?
Are there other islands in Polynesia (non-French) that are just as "paradise-like" but more affordable?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Hi everyone,
A quick introduction. I'm 27, I live in Picardy, and I'm getting married in 2017. We'd like to spend our honeymoon in French Polynesia for 3 weeks.
I'm open to all kinds of advice!!!
I think we'll use a travel agency because our work schedules don't leave us much time to organize the trip... Unless I change my mind! ;-)
But we don’t want our trip to turn into tourist clichés—we really don’t like that. That said, we *do* want to see those postcard-perfect beaches and landscapes!
We don’t dive, but I think we’ll try a beginner’s dive, and maybe even get our Level 1 certification, depending on how it goes (I read some comments about it on this forum).
Anyway, I’m looking for any information and internet links to make this trip a success.
This is THE trip of a lifetime, and it has to be perfect!
Thanks for your help!
I’m also checking out the different threads about Polynesia on this forum ;-)
