Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Salty's Dive Centre
(
&
1800/625 476
in Australia, or 07/4153 4747; fax 07/
4152 6707; www.saltys.net) rents dive gear for A$45 (US$29). They also run
day trips for A$100 (US$65) including all equipment. Five-day open water and
4-day shore courses are A$580 (US$377) and A$169 (US$110), respectively. A
3-day/3-night southern Great Barrier Reef dive cruise costs A$495 (US$322),
plus A$65 (US$42) for all equipment rental. Night dives are free but you pay
A$10 (US$6.50) for chemical sticks and light.
WHERE TO STAY
Acacia Motor Inn
This tidy motel is a short stroll from the town center. It
has undergone a complete refit inside and out in the past 2 years, with new fur-
niture, carpets and TVs, as well as a repaint and the addition of shade sails
around the pool area. The rooms are clean and well-kept, extra-large family
rooms at a decent price. Local restaurants provide room service, and many are
within walking distance. The five family units have kitchenettes.
248 Bourbong St., Bundaberg, QLD 4670.
&
1800/351 735
in Australia, or 07/4152 3411. Fax 07/4152
2387. acabund@fc-hotels.com.au. 26 units (all with shower only). A$72 (US$47) double. Additional person
A$11 (US$7.15) adults, A$6 (US$3.90) children under 12. A$5 (US$3.25) crib. AE, DC, MC, V. Covered park-
ing.
Amenities:
Outdoor saltwater pool; nearby golf course; access to nearby health club; bike rental; tour
desk; limited room service; in-room massage; coin-op laundry; same-day dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms.
Inroom: A/C, TV/VCR w/pay movies, dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
LADY ELLIOT ISLAND
80km (50 miles) NE of Bundaberg
The southernmost Great Barrier Reef island, Lady Elliot is a 42-hectare (104-
acre) coral cay ringed by a wide shallow lagoon filled with dazzling coral life.
Reef walking, snorkeling, and diving are the main reasons people come to this
coral cay that's so small you can walk across it in 15 minutes. You may snorkel
and reef walk during only the 2 to 3 hours before and after high tide, so plan
your schedule accordingly. You will see dazzling corals and brilliantly colored
fish, clams, sponges, urchins, and anemones. Divers will see a good range of
marine life, including green and loggerhead turtles (which nest on the beach
Nov-Mar). Whales pass by June through September.
Lady Elliot is a sparse, grassy island rookery, not a lush tropical paradise, so
don't expect white sand and palm trees. Some people will find it too spartan;
others will relish chilling out in a beautiful, peaceful location with reef all
around. Just be prepared for the smell and constant noise of those birds.
GETTING THERE
You reach the island by a 30-minute flight from Bund-
aberg or Hervey Bay. Book your air travel along with your accommodations.
Round-trip fares are A$175 (US$114) for adults and A$88 (US$57) for chil-
dren 3 to 12. There is a 10-kilogram (22-lb.) luggage limit.
Seair Pacific
(
&
07/
5599 4509;
www.seairpacific.com.au) operates day tours from Brisbane and the
Gold Coast, which include flights, snorkel gear, glass-bottom-boat ride, lunch,
and guided activities.
WHERE TO STAY
Lady Elliot Island Resort
Accommodations here are fairly basic, but vis-
itors come for the reef, not the room. Top of the range are the Island Suites,
which have one or two separate bedrooms, and great sea views from the deck.
Most Reef rooms have a double bed and two bunks, and a deck with views
through the trees to the sea. Shearwater bunk rooms sleep up to six, and all room
types have modern private bathrooms. The cool, spacious tent cabins have
