Travel to Mackay (cheaper option to islands?)

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  MITM on 18/03/2013 - 23:01

  Have a look on www.TripAdvisor.com.au

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  JediJan on 19/03/2013 - 07:50

  Travel to Airlie Beach by bus and see what offers are there; that is the closest. They are fairly damp there at the moment, but airport and roads open and it is rather hot and humid. Cheaper to stay in Proserpine than Airlie Beach. You can get cheaper accommodation staying in youth hotel type establishments at Airlie though.

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    ycon on 19/03/2013 - 08:48

    Okay cheers for that.

    From what I've researched, it's $69 for a bus transfer from Mackay to Airlie beach. It seems pricey.

    However, I did find a charter plan company who do daily flights directly to Hamilton Island for $75 (one way)

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      JediJan on 20/03/2013 - 13:21

      Just read your post. That sounds an awful cost to pay for a 2 hour trip; sorry if this is what is so. I lived in Mackay drove everywhere but I often saw buses on the highway.

      Just did a quick check on the Greyhound website though and an example gave me a cost of $29; for 1 hour 40 mins (leaves 6:30pm arrives 8:10pm example). Should be other trips though.

      The hire-car option sounds better though, especially if you are going to do a bit of travelling about. Better still if you are travelling with a reliable friend and share costs. Crocodiles not so much of a problem in this region than further north but plenty of sharks about. Always seek local advice when in doubt.

      Many if not most of the islands can be seen from the mainland; try to find a high vantage point at Airlie and you will see what I mean. Lovely place Airlie, but yes it can be a bit pricey, as it is guided by the tourist market.

      Suggested Proserpine (does have a small airport) as not so dictated by the tourist market; basically a cane town; the people are very friendly.

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  parisienne on 19/03/2013 - 12:42

  Having just been to Mackay,and needing to get to Proserpine,i can tell you that Mackay is harder to get out of than Alcatraz.There are no buses out of the town (and the buses that DO are either Greyhound….which leave 3 times a day,2 of which are at obscene times in the morning,then at 6 at night.The other buses are shuttle buses,and they go only a few times a day as well…and you have to hope that your carrier is the one they meet with…they only meet with one airline.As for trains…forget it.I asked about them and i was told i could get the mail train,which next came through 2 days later at 1.45 AM).So honestly,i would think about the way you want to get to Hamilton again,as it really is a nightmare of epic proportions to get the hell OUT of Mackay and get to where you want to be,and the cost to get out will soon outcost the original fare from Hamilton.As for accommodation,check out Whitsunday Terraces (Golden Orchid Drive,Airlie Beach)…well situated place,just off main street and with great views.I paid only $80/night there in Feb,so it would be even better now i imagine.OR call the main tourist info place in Airlie and ask about the apartments they have…they are well priced and in the BEST spot.Hope that helps.

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    ycon on 19/03/2013 - 23:37

    Okay thanks for all that. Mackay doesn't sound all that promising…

    How about if I rented a car? Budget are quoting me around $60… Are there cheaper options there?

    What is it like commuting from Airlie/Proserpine to any of the islands? Ferries? How long & how much?

    Cheers

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      parisienne on 20/03/2013 - 08:39

      Yeah,renting a car is a good option.$60 is a great price,and i didn't see anything cheaper than that.Getting to the islands is easy….get the cruise Whitsunday boat over to Daydream,Hamilton and stay as long as you like.It takes around 1 hour to get to Hamilton from the Abel Point Marina in Airlie and about 40 to Daydream and costs $45 each way.For all other islands,yo have to either rent a boat or take a day cruise out.There is a seaplane to Hayman which is a beautiful trip from Whitsunday aerodrome.Getting ANYWHERE from Proserpine….non existent (no trains,buses…again,unless you get one of the previously mentioned shuttle buses that link up with flight)and it would be an expensive taxi trip (didn't see any taxis for that matter ?????)

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      JediJan on 20/03/2013 - 13:23

      If you have RACV membership, flybuys etc. check what discounts you are offered on the car hire too.

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  ycon on 22/03/2013 - 17:42

  Cheers for the help so far. JetStar's current sale means I can get directly to Hamilton Island for $178 return.

  So maybe I'll skip Mackay.

  Only problem- finding inexpensive accomdation on Hamilton Island. Any ideas?

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    parisienne on 23/03/2013 - 10:02

    Good luck with THAT.No such thing there (or any of the islands really.Best option is to stay on mainland and travel out to islands)

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  ycon on 23/03/2013 - 10:20

  Ok thanks. What are peoples thoughts about Fitzroy island? Is it a nice place like Hamilton? It's slightly less expensive to fly too, and accommodation is cheaper too.

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  JediJan on 23/03/2013 - 12:59

  Fitzroy Island is near Cairns. I actually lived in Cairns for 10 years but actually never went there (but heard it is nice)! Cairns has grown on the back of the tourist market so there is plenty of competition for tours and accommodation. Personally you really don't need to go to the islands, perhaps just take a day trip (on the launch … much cheaper) out to Green Island. Plenty of nice beaches around Cairns but people don't usually swim there (crocodiles and irukunji … stinger jelly fish). If you can afford it hire a car and travel about the area as everything you want is fairly close. Travel north (very scenic drive … probably the best in Aus), past Port Douglas to the Daintree River (cruises), swim at "The Boulders" in the rainforest, Kuranda train journey, etc. So much to do in and around Cairns (a fake beach there now these days) but cheaper by car, and you can get to the best places quite easily (just ask the locals … do some research). Ps, Suggest you check out the waterfall circuit in the Tablelands, Malanda - It is also a bit cooler up there if the humidity of the coast is getting to you… plenty of swimming options up there. You can also travel south to Mission Beach (just past Innisfail), due east of Tully, which is a quick water taxi drive to Dunk Island (golf etc) for the day. Honestly you can be spoilt for choice in Cairns; I am sure you could find what you are looking for there.

  LOL ..> Feel like a walking advertisement hey!

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  ycon on 27/03/2013 - 10:26

  Wow- cheers for all that. Sounds like so many nice places to go! I have already booked 5 nights at Fitzroy island, but now I'm beginning to think that might be too long. I don't think it's too late to cancel, maybe I'll reduce it to a couple nights.

  How do I get the Launch? I need to get a ticket or something? We won't have big luggage with us…

  The Boulders and water falls you mentioned in particular sound very nice.

  If I were to rent a car- where would it be best to stay whilst travelling to all those places? Any recomendations for a car rental company? Rent-a-bomb is only $35 a day, but I'm not sure I trust it!