"Bucket list" trip to dive the Great Barrier Reef, and more...

Australia | Oct 4 - Oct 12, 2024

Good way to get an overview of Sydney. We explored Manly beach the day before on our own(took public ferry from Sydney harbor), saw Bondi beach with the Big bus tour, had the opportunity to see many parts of the city we would not otherwise would have had time to get to. The only partially negative point would be if you change lines on the bus, you need to pay attention to the times of last trip offered.

If you like animals, this was an amazing opportunity to see and learn more about them from the zoo staff. The retreat is located in the middle of the zoo ,which is located at the end of a community of "high end" homes. The rooms are spacious and have a great view of different parts of the zoo. I got up early in the morning and actually saw a koala bear right outside our room! Close enough to get a few great pictures but not close enough to touch.

So, initially our room was not ready (we arrived around 10AM,it wasn't to be ready until 2) hotel staff kept our bags for us and gave us guest passes to access the zoo from a "retreat" entrance (this particular gate not available to non guest of the retreat). When room was ready, the AC didn't work, however, the staff quickly found a different room, same view for us. Check out was around 11 , staff again kept our bags for us and allowed us guest access to the zoo again.

We got off the plane, there was a driver waiting for us, perfect timing !

Tia had arranged this flight for us on Jetstar airlines, flight from Sydney was on time and full. When we arrived in Cairns, there was a private driver waiting for us at baggage claim, again, perfect timing !

We were picked up from the hotel a little later than we had planned, had to have desk staff call tour operator for us ( about 25 minutes late). river ride was fine but no crocodiles for us to see, oh well. The Daintree rainforest and Cape Tribulation was beautiful, unspoiled wilderness. The guide told us 'it's where the rainforest meets the sea". We also got a stop for beautiful pictures and free sample (3 scoops!) of homemade ice cream made in the area from fruit.

We got picked up from our hotel (but the Pacific Hotel is maybe 3 short blocks from the dock, we could have walked), boarded the boat at the dock, seemed quite crowded. We went for a short ride then whoever wanted to dive could get outfitted with gear (after filling out liability/medical questionnaire) or snorkel. We stopped two places on the reef , beautiful. Snacks onboard included muffins, fresh fruit. Coffee, tea, and a few other items were for purchase. There was a photographer onboard who dove and took pictures,made later for sale at a reasonable price, beautiful quality. After the second stop, those of us who were going to spend the night on the reef with Diver's Den were taken to a point where we were assisted from one boat to the other. Safety briefing aboard catamaran done, rooms assigned, safety rules presented. Daytime dive/snorkel opportunities offered. A night dive was available as well as "sharks in the dark" for those who wished to use a mask and snorkel and stay on the dive platform to see the fish and sharks at night.

This was my husband's 65th birthday wish, to dive the Great Barrier Reef...He was NOT disappointed ! Coral for the most part was healthy and colorful, not too many larger fish, many small ones, the occasional turtle or shark. Meals were simple and the cook was very open about giving a different option to those with dietary restrictions. When we were on board there were 3 different classes going on, one group becoming dive masters, one learning more about rescue diving and one getting open water certification. Mixed ages, more younger then older ,every body was welcomed with same enthusiasm by the crew. We had the opportunity to do 2 more dives that day, then we were given lunch and our bags were transported back to the other boat first, then we were assisted over. My husband did 7 dives over this two day trip, I did 5 and a snorkel trip .back on the transfer boat fresh fruit was offered as well as other snacks ,some for a fee.

Tia had arranged a private driver to take us to the train station, We just had to show our information on the KimKim app(New Zealand Touring Company) to receive the train ticket and ticket for the Skyrail. Nicely maintained "old style" train cars with narrated information of places passed and history of the railroad in that area. Post train ride we were in the mountain village of Kuranda that offered a butterfly farm, a koala viewing area (they had other animals as well), a bird aviary ,, shops and restaurants. When we were done walking around, eating and seeing the sights, we got on the Skyrail for the trip back down the mountain. The skyrail makes a few stops where you can get out and look at a large waterfall we saw from the train earlier.