Australian East coast

[MSutcliffe]

Morning all,

I'm looking for recommendations for dive operators between Cairns and Brisbane. Day boats, quick trips and 3/4 day cruises have the potential to make it into the itinerary. Also tips on wether it is necessary to book several months in advance, or do many operate a turn up on the day type scheme?

I'll be going through travel club reports from the area, of course, but want to cast the net wide...

Kind Regards
Martin.

[David Cowan]

Hi,

Try the following link for Cairns - http://www.aquaprodive.com/.

[Richard Mason]

About 3hrs North of Brisbane - Wolf Rock Dive at Rainbow Beach (http://www.wolfrockdive.com.au/) - very impressive dive although they only have 1 dive site. The owner operator is a bit challenging too, ex-Aus SAS but if you can put up with his ......errr sense of humour, you'll be ok. It's basically a half day trip, a bit over an hour each way in their aluminium rhib, dive, surface interval, eat tim tams, jelly snakes, hot chocolate etc, then jump in for dive number 2. Arrive 8ish at dive centre, arrive back around 12.30~1.30pm. We saw all sorts on our trip there, GNS, turtles, groper, barracuda, manta, just about everything.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l229/TrickieDickie99/M0011013copysmall.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l229/TrickieDickie99/M0011014copysmall.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l229/TrickieDickie99/M0011015copysmall.jpg

[neil_richardson]

i agree with Richard.. :-)

[ChristianG]

Can we know when, if only roughly, you plan to be here?

[MSutcliffe]

Can we know when, if only roughly, you plan to be here?

Early January..

It's a bit of a tight time schedule, but we are well accustomed to road trips of such a distance over such a time scale, and fitting in lots of activities. Hoping to fit in a variety of activities, with some quality hiking, some quality diving, and some tourist hotspots...

Local knowledge and suggestions always welcome for things to do aside from diving, Christian.

[Richard Mason]

I'd be very careful at that time of year - in case you haven't noticed, the whole coast of Qld from top to bottom can get both damp and windy at that time of year; it's really about the worst possible period to be going there, to be honest.

Also for bushwalking - incredibly hot, expect humidity in the 90%+ range - to be honest, that's the time I wouldn't be going there to do that. Having done both the Land Warfare Centre at Canungra near Brisbane in Feb and the Jungle Warfare Centre at Tully (south of Cairns) in December, I can tell you that it's bloody horrible to be walking there with a pack on your back in Dec-Jan and that was when I was already acclimatised as it was Sumer in Tas but how you'd go coming from the British winter into that? Not nice.

If you're stuck with Qld for family/business reasons well c'est la vie, but my advice is sit in the pool during the day drinking beers or iced G&T, otherwise stay away from Qld and maybe look at somewhere much further South.

Further info, have a look at

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/IDCJDW0400.shtml

And - http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65214.shtml AT is apparent temperature in the shade - out in the sun - eeeurgh.

[ChristianG]

OK, Sydney (ignoring the obvious attractions):

• The Harbour Bridge Climb (http://www.bridgeclimb.com/), my Scooots friend, a grandmother and stingier than most Scooots simply loved it. Forget the other ones, do the original Eastern Arch Climb.
• In Sydney stay at the http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/nsw/sydney-surrounds/sydney-harbour/. Book it NOW! Don't let the views from the roof seduce you too much, except for the NYE Fireworks if that's your bag - it isn't mine. You will probably (I don't know) have to book a spot for that on the roof as well.

In Cairns (if you go) stay at the Floriana (http://www.florianaguesthouse.com/). Relatively cheap, easy walking distance of the CBD, quaint, quiet. Edit/: Splurge - get a $110 room - they overlook the Esplanade and have "sea glimpses". They were always my choice (I don't "do" the GBR any more, not for years actually). :\Edit

Near Kempsey on the NSW north coat is South West Rocks (http://www.southwestrocksdive.com.au/). You can get to Kempsey by train and the boys will pick you up from there. They wouldn't remember me but their father died much too young and certainly would. You will need at least three dives at Fish Rock itself and you must (they'll lead you) do the cave as one of those. You'd be dead unlucky not to see plenty of Carcharius Taurus (Grey Nurse Shark) of which Richard kindly provided a photo or three and you might get to see a rather large Great White as well, as a couple of mates of mine did a few years ago (they did that famous "walking across the water" trick to get back to the boat). Stay with the boys above their shop. If nothing else, it's convenient.

If you take Richard's and my advice I would steer well clear of Qld at that time of year, in fact the furthest north I would venture is Byron Bay which has tropical style diving, as does Coffs Harbour. Then there is Nelson Bay (http://www.prodivenelsonbay.com.au/nelson+bay/weekends+away/nelson+bay+weekend+away/115), say hello to Chris and Pam for me but they probably won't remember me, which has at least one of the best shore dives in Oz, as well a some pretty decent boat diving.

Don't discount Sydney diving and if you can, go to Jervis Bay, about four hours south of Sydney but achievable only by road.

[MSutcliffe]

Thanks guys,
We are somewhat comitted to dates and destinations for various reasons.

Lets try to put the current weather in perspective - we did do a bit of research before booking! It is the rainy season, we know that. We've travelled to various places in 'the rainy season' before, and we've got wet but stayed warm, etc. There is typically some flooding somewhere, usually related to rivers rather than tropical storms/cyclones. I think this year has been the exception rather than the rule, and if tourists are discouraged from visiting the area at this time of year completely, then it will hardly be good for local prosperity etc.
We will, of course, be keeping a close eye on weather nearer the time, and plans can be forced to change if necessary.

Thanks for your suggestions on places to go/stay and things to do - much appreciated.

[ChristianG]

Lets try to put the current weather in perspective - we did do a bit of research before booking! It is the rainy season, we know that. We've travelled to various places in 'the rainy season' before, and we've got wet but stayed warm, etc. There is typically some flooding somewhere, usually related to rivers rather than tropical storms/cyclones. I think this year has been the exception rather than the rule, and if tourists are discouraged from visiting the area at this time of year completely, then it will hardly be good for local prosperity etc.
We will, of course, be keeping a close eye on weather nearer the time, and plans can be forced to change if necessary.
Hmmmmm.

There happened to be a programme on the ABC tonight about all these weather extremes enacted on this continent last month and this month so let me give you some statistics:

• Cyclone Carlos which recently said hello to Darwin and environs will have far-reaching effects, right down to the mouth of the Murray river at Adelaide in the Great Australian Bight.

That's a distance of 2620 km or 1628 miles - as the crow flies - roughly equivalent to Stockholm/Madrid.

• Lake Eyre, a rather large salt pan in South Oz, is full for the second year running and the pelicans, we still don't know how they know of the floods, are considering a second brood of chicks in the same year - pretty well unprecedented.

• The Murray/Darling river system (arguably the lifeblood of this nation), previously well and truly dying, is alive and well again.

• The downside is that a lot of infrastructure and other "civilised" stuff, is down. So be it.

Trust me when I say that predicting the weather is not that easy. Surviving a cyclone in Oz is relatively simple today, but you're stuck with it for a great deal longer time than just the cyclone - think of the floods and other infrastructure things related to that.

[neil_richardson]

OK, Sydney (ignoring the obvious attractions):

• The Harbour Bridge Climb (http://www.bridgeclimb.com/), my Scooots friend, a grandmother and stingier than most Scooots simply loved it. Forget the other ones, do the original Eastern Arch Climb.
• In Sydney stay at the http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/nsw/sydney-surrounds/sydney-harbour/. Book it NOW! Don't let the views from the roof seduce you too much, except for the NYE Fireworks if that's your bag - it isn't mine. You will probably (I don't know) have to book a spot for that on the roof as well.

In Cairns (if you go) stay at the Floriana (http://www.florianaguesthouse.com/). Relatively cheap, easy walking distance of the CBD, quaint, quiet. Edit/: Splurge - get a $110 room - they overlook the Esplanade and have "sea glimpses". They were always my choice (I don't "do" the GBR any more, not for years actually). :\Edit

Near Kempsey on the NSW north coat is South West Rocks (http://www.southwestrocksdive.com.au/). You can get to Kempsey by train and the boys will pick you up from there. They wouldn't remember me but their father died much too young and certainly would. You will need at least three dives at Fish Rock itself and you must (they'll lead you) do the cave as one of those. You'd be dead unlucky not to see plenty of Carcharius Taurus (Grey Nurse Shark) of which Richard kindly provided a photo or three and you might get to see a rather large Great White as well, as a couple of mates of mine did a few years ago (they did that famous "walking across the water" trick to get back to the boat). Stay with the boys above their shop. If nothing else, it's convenient.

If you take Richard's and my advice I would steer well clear of Qld at that time of year, in fact the furthest north I would venture is Byron Bay which has tropical style diving, as does Coffs Harbour. Then there is Nelson Bay (http://www.prodivenelsonbay.com.au/nelson+bay/weekends+away/nelson+bay+weekend+away/115), say hello to Chris and Pam for me but they probably won't remember me, which has at least one of the best shore dives in Oz, as well a some pretty decent boat diving.

Don't discount Sydney diving and if you can, go to Jervis Bay, about four hours south of Sydney but achievable only by road.


i dunno,,, i'd go as far as Frazier island,, but thats about it...

i'd definatly stop by the Whitsundays, as not too visit the whitsundays, is like visiting Sydney and not going to a drag show, or visiting Melbourne, and not having good food and coffee.... :p

But seriously, for anyone visiting Australia, the must do's are:

1. Ayres rock
2. Sydney Harbour
3. Whitsunday's
4. Frasier island

so to only see Sydney Harbour, which imho is the worst of those 4, is to do a disjustice to Austland.....

[Richard Mason]

i dunno,,, i'd go as far as Frazier island,, but thats about it...

i'd definatly stop by the Whitsundays, as not too visit the whitsundays, is like visiting Sydney and not going to a drag show, or visiting Melbourne, and not having good food and coffee.... :p

But seriously, for anyone visiting Australia, the must do's are:

1. Ayres rock
2. Sydney Harbour
3. Whitsunday's
4. Frasier island



And if you go to Frasier Island, be sure to visit the world famous Café Nervosa.

[Richard Mason]

Thanks guys,
We are somewhat comitted to dates and destinations for various reasons.

Lets try to put the current weather in perspective - we did do a bit of research before booking! It is the rainy season, we know that. We've travelled to various places in 'the rainy season' before, and we've got wet but stayed warm, etc. There is typically some flooding somewhere, usually related to rivers rather than tropical storms/cyclones. I think this year has been the exception rather than the rule, and if tourists are discouraged from visiting the area at this time of year completely, then it will hardly be good for local prosperity etc.
We will, of course, be keeping a close eye on weather nearer the time, and plans can be forced to change if necessary.

Thanks for your suggestions on places to go/stay and things to do - much appreciated.

If you're going then, you're going then I guess - you'll probably still be able to do most of the things you intended but you might have to dodge the weather a bit.

The typical result of a cyclone is not so much trashing any town that gets in the way (the previous last Cat 5 storm, with Force 17 winds to hit Qld was in 1918 I think) but rain and lots of it for hundreds of miles either side, which cuts roads, makes gravel roads completely unpassable for weeks at a time, gives rise to hordes of mosquitos which may carry dengue and probably carry Ross River Virus (I caught this 15 years back and it is not fun, moreover if you develop it after your arrival in the UK, your GP will have no idea what it is) . Also, hiking (known as bushwalking here) carries quite a significant risk of heat illness, be it heat exhaustion or heat stroke particularly if not acclimatised, so lots of water, you need to be carrying at least 4L for anything more than a 4-5 hour walk, stay in the shade - also be aware of snakes if out in the scrub - in that part of the world, Taipans (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipan) & King Browns (http://www.news.com.au/deadly-brown-snake-bites-mans-penis/story-e6frfkp9-1111116475533) are very common and at their most active in that season - actually more so at night, so don't go wandering on the grass or bush in sandals and shorts at night - take a torch. My experience in tropical Australia was that they were very common.

So no, you're not likely to be caught up in another Yasi but it will likely be very unpleasant and personally, I'd give FNQ in particular a miss between December and March.

[Strike]

I'm looking for recommendations for dive operators between Cairns and Brisbane. Day boats, quick trips and 3/4 day cruises have the potential to make it into the itinerary. Also tips on wether it is necessary to book several months in advance, or do many operate a turn up on the day type scheme?

I'll be going through travel club reports from the area, of course, but want to cast the net wide...

Kind Regards
Martin.

Depending on your budget and time-frame - and your expectations in terms of social night-life? - one of the places that rarely receives a mention when it comes to New South Wales diving destinations is Lord Howe Island; probably because it's about 500 -600 kms east of the mainland.

It's serviced by light air craft from the mainland, visitor numbers are limited, bicycles form the main transport system, it's remarkably scenic ... and the diving is first class.

The meeting point between tropical and temperate ocean currents, the variety of marine life is outstanding and the visibility superb. (It's some years since I last dived there, but that was in the month of February. It was such a spectacular place that I've been intending to return ... and will, one day.)

Strike

[rose]

Unless you're into sailing, I'd give the Whitsundays - which are north of Fraser Is - a wide berth, and particularly in the first few months of the year. I was there one April and not only did it blow like h*ll, the stingers were still present. Altogether not the best experience. To top it all, the diving is very mediocre.

SW Rocks is well worth the effort and while I've never been to LHI (hangs head in shame), I hear only good things about the diving there.

And if Sydney is about drag queens, then Melbourne is about the upside down river.:D

[Eddie Clamp]

Depending on your budget and time-frame - and your expectations in terms of social night-life? - one of the places that rarely receives a mention when it comes to New South Wales diving destinations is Lord Howe Island; probably because it's about 500 -600 kms east of the mainland.

It's serviced by light air craft from the mainland, visitor numbers are limited, bicycles form the main transport system, it's remarkably scenic ... and the diving is first class.

The meeting point between tropical and temperate ocean currents, the variety of marine life is outstanding and the visibility superb. (It's some years since I last dived there, but that was in the month of February. It was such a spectacular place that I've been intending to return ... and will, one day.)

Strike

From what have read of Lord Howe Island I heartily agree with Strike. Was going to go there this year but the prices were prohibitive for me travelling from the UK :( .

Would love to go there though. It is def on my wish list for diving holidays.

[neil_richardson]

hey,, i actually think the Whitsundays is fantastic, and i thought the diving some of the best in Australia, (outside of Victoria and Tasmania that is)...

and fair point about the drag queens, they've mostly moved down here these days, due to the better clothes shops, stylists, food, cost of living, etc etc etc etc etc....

:p

Rose, you at Oztek by the way??

Bunch of teh BSAC crew are having a get together.

[neil_richardson]

same same,, Lord Howe sounds wonderful, just getting there from Melbourne it is prohibitively difficult logistically...

From Sydney its much easier... would love to hear more about the place???

[rose]

Rose, you at Oztek by the way??



No.

Just someone who luxuriates in being able to get to a decent surf beach in 10 minutes, not 3 hours.;)

[Richard Mason]

Unless you're into sailing, I'd give the Whitsundays - which are north of Fraser Is - a wide berth, and particularly in the first few months of the year. I was there one April and not only did it blow like h*ll, the stingers were still present. Altogether not the best experience. To top it all, the diving is very mediocre.

SW Rocks is well worth the effort and while I've never been to LHI (hangs head in shame), I hear only good things about the diving there.

And if Sydney is about drag queens, then Melbourne is about the upside down river.:D

It's an upside down Bay at the moment. Whole of the East Coast of Tas was upside down too on Saturday afternoon, after 120mm rain (1/5 the annual rainfall) in 3 hours.

[neil_richardson]

thats a 5minute walk from my house... oh weight, you were talking about kite surfing right??

;)

[rose]

thats a 5minute walk from my house... oh weight, you were talking about kite surfing right??

;)

No, I was talking about body surfing, something you can't do in Port Phillip Bay.:rolleyes:

[neil_richardson]

thats true, we dont have to worry about pounding waves, and rips, when we pop down to the beach to top up on the tan...

So fair enough....

[ChristianG]

thats true, we dont have to worry about pounding waves, and rips, when we pop down to the beach to top up on the tan...
Against that, Oz is the world's melanoma capital.

[rose]

What's wrong with a rip anyway? I use the Manly Escalator regularly to get beyond the breakers fast on my swim to Shelley Beach. No better feeling, I can tell you. That's what rips are for.

[Philip P]

hey,, i actually think the Whitsundays is fantastic, and i thought the diving some of the best in Australia, (outside of Victoria and Tasmania that is)...


While there is some fairly decent diving around some of the Whitsunday Islands - like Hook Island - it is true that generally it is pretty mediocre and you are far better off taking a boat out to the outer (Great Barrier) reef. Day trips (and overnight trips) are easy to find and if you are staying in Airlie Beach on the mainland they are reasonably priced.

[Andy Mason]

I hear the Yongala is good.

And Spoilsport is meant to be a great live-a-board for the reef.

Lady Elliot island is a cheap and good dive resort.

As Richard says, Wolf Rock is great and has only the one operator.

Byron Bay's Julian Rocks a bit further south is worth a visit too - Sundive is a great dive operator.

There is a great basic w/e live-a-board out of Brisbane called Big Cat Reality.

But these are just my Thoughts. I suggest you get in touch with our Brisbane BSAC branch and get a few other's opinions - and you're welcome to dive with us. If you give us a bit of notice we'll organise some diving when you're around.

Andy

[Chris aka divingchef]

Byron Bay's Julian Rocks a bit further south is worth a visit too - Sundive is a great dive operator.

There is a great basic w/e live-a-board out of Brisbane called Big Cat Reality.
Andy

I agree with Andy, with a couple of provisos. Julian Rocks really nice dive site, we felt two days was enough.

Big Cat and James the skipper, fantastic, just do the weekend, you cant go wrong, reefs, wrecks and a drift that takes ya socks off!

I'd also recommed South West Rocks and Fish Rock.

Beyond diving, The Hunter Valley vineyards!!!!!

Chris

[Richard Mason]

Against that, Oz is the world's melanoma capital.

Only if you sit out in it reading the SMH all day long......Christian.

[ChristianG]

Only if you sit out in it reading the SMH all day long......Christian.
Chuckle - but I haven't done that sun thingie in decades. My porch where, as you know, I can often be seen reading the SMH, has very good coverage against that sun thingie in summer but let's it in in winter when it's oop norf. Winter sun manages to warm these ancient bones. :D

I learned my lesson in that regard when I got seriously clobbered for it as a very young lad in what was then called Ceylon. I like to think that I don't manage to make the same mistake twice, even though there are plenty of them.

[Stevex]

The wife and I are doing Oz this August. She's a non diver so my diving will be rather restricted but I've got Wolf Rock, Fish Rock and the Yongala on my list, plus I'm looking for a day trip out of Cairns. A heads up about the Yongala; There are trips advertised to the wreck from Townsville, but looking into it, the boat there and back is a 5 hour round trip. However, 'Yongala Dive' do the trip from Alva beach, which is an hour south of Townsville and the round trip with them is only 1 hour. I've already booked with them, and they do overnight accommodation.

[Richard Mason]

For anyone interested in visiting FNQ at this time of year - have a look at the current weather - http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/ and http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/qld-coastal-stations-map.shtml

On the radio this morning, they were reporting 500mm (20 inches) of rain in many centres since Sunday (ie 3 days), with more the next 2 days, a day or 2 of clear weather and then a return to similar conditions next week.

I was talking to a mate who lives on the Sunshine Coast (just north of Brisbane) and he tells me that the lidless wheelie bin in his garden has filled with rainwater 4 or 5 times since the end of Jan, just with rainfall directly into it.

[Richard Mason]

The wife and I are doing Oz this August. She's a non diver so my diving will be rather restricted but I've got Wolf Rock, Fish Rock and the Yongala on my list, plus I'm looking for a day trip out of Cairns. A heads up about the Yongala; There are trips advertised to the wreck from Townsville, but looking into it, the boat there and back is a 5 hour round trip. However, 'Yongala Dive' do the trip from Alva beach, which is an hour south of Townsville and the round trip with them is only 1 hour. I've already booked with them, and they do overnight accommodation.

Should be quite pleasant - August is the roughest time of year in SE Aus, so you might find the weather against you in NSW, however chances are you'll be OK. Worth looking at Byron Bay too, on Andy Mason's advice, we went with Sundive and were very happy with the experience. Byron is a good spot for the Mrs too, if she's into good food, nice ambience and interesting shops. Big alternative lifestyle thing happening there. Not cheap though.

[Strike]

For anyone interested in visiting FNQ at this time of year - have a look at the current weather - http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/ and http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/qld-coastal-stations-map.shtml



That's thrown a dampener on my plans. We're off for a post-OZTeK liveaboard trip out to the Coral Sea next week. :)

Strike

[Richard Mason]

Yeah but at least you've not travelled half way across the world - what are the sea conditions like out that way ATM?

[Chris aka divingchef]

interesting shops. Big alternative lifestyle thing happening there. Not cheap though.

Mmmm I was asked if I would like my "Shakra" cleanising. To which I replied "if I knew what one was I could give you and answer, but on second thoughts it's probably been inmersed in sea water all morning,,,,," :rolleyes:

I enjoyed a evening walk up to the light house, the most easterly point of Oz.

[Stevex]

Not cheap though.

Yep...is that before or after the abysmal exchange rate between £/A$. :)

[Richard Mason]

.and it's still raining.

[Strike]

Just arrived back in Cairns after a trip to the Coral Sea aboard Spirit of Freedom. Although it was apparently raining all down the coast the weather out at Osprey Reef was perfect, calm seas and sun, steep walls plummeting down to a 1000 metres, magnificent coral gardens, sharks, pelagics and reef fish, 50 plus metres visibility and sea temps in the 28 - 29 deg. C. range. Conditions were so good that instead of heading back to the Ribbon Reefs we continued south to Bougainville Reef, a seldom visited atoll that proved even more spectacular. ... And now back to reality. :)

Strike

[ChristianG]

Strike,

The Australian Cora Sea (ACR), (as distinct from the GBR) and I'm pretty familiar with it is not really within ambient Oz weather. After all, even Osprey Reef that everyone seems to go to if they go to the ACR at all, is just one of the ACR Reefs - and I've previously been to Holmes, Shark, Tegrossa, Lihou amongst others I'd rather not mention, most, undoubtedly like you, several times.

The point is moot, the ACR is significantly different to the GBR and long may it remain so. The problem is that the boats, quite simply, do not go there any more (unlike, say, the late and lamented Coralita).

If the truth be known it's (a) arguably too far for the boats to go and (b) the diehards amongst us are, today, too few and far between to pay the undoubted premium. I wish there were more of us, unfortunately there aren't.

[Strike]

I obviously forgot to mention that the weather - and diving conditions - on the GBR at Lizard Island prior to the Coral Sea component of the trip was equally good.

Strike

[ChristianG]

Sure.

You obviously also failed to mention that, this time, you were lucky. What would have happened if you had ventured north in, say, December/January (floods) or Cyclone Yasi almost immediately after that?

Unfortunately those who come to visit us at this time of year, who started well over half a world away, might not be so lucky and in their case it may well be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. That, to my mind, may well leave a particularly bad taste in their mouths if/when they get it wrong and it serves to bite them in the bum.

I'd much rather tell it like it is. If, then, they come anyway they've at least been forewarned.

[Strike]

Sure.

You obviously also failed to mention that, this time, you were lucky. What would have happened if you had ventured north in, say, December/January (floods) or Cyclone Yasi almost immediately after that?

Unfortunately those who come to visit us at this time of year, who started well over half a world away, might not be so lucky and in their case it may well be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. That, to my mind, may well leave a particularly bad taste in their mouths if/when they get it wrong and it serves to bite them in the bum.

I'd much rather tell it like it is. If, then, they come anyway they've at least been forewarned.

I stated a fact. Luck had nothing to do with it. Experience did. (i.e. When a cyclone is predicted there's no point getting on the boat - even if the operator let you. And weather dependency - as far as diving is concerned - is not country specific.)

I rather suspect that I have spent considerably longer than have you in diving those waters. Cyclones are bad. They are a fact of life in tropical north Queensland and are most likely to occur at a certain time of the year. In much the same way as the strong winds and rough waters ( and cooler sea temperatures) will usually be experienced during our winter months of June, July and August.

strike

[ChristianG]

I rather suspect that I have spent considerably longer than have you in diving those waters.
I have absolutely no doubt that is the case.

So what? It has precisely zero effect on the fact that our northern shores can be decidedly inhospitable in our summer, the northern hemisphere's winter. That, I would have thought, is the point.

[Stevex]

As a matter of interest what are the sea temps in August from Cairns south? We've changed our plans slightly so probably wont get below Brisbane now (apart from a non diving few days in Sydney). As I'll have to hire a wetsuit, I'm wondering what I'll need to go for.
I dived the Red Sea off Jeddah in January this year when the water temp was 26°C and was fairly happy in a 2.5mm shorty.

[ChristianG]

As a matter of interest what are the sea temps in August from Cairns south?
http://www.marine.csiro.au/~lband/web_point/
http://www.sea-temperature.com/country_water/australia/81
http://www.bom.gov.au/oceanography/forecasts/

One of those should give you a reasonably definitive answer (aka "guesstimate").