Help with Australia trip?

Question

Me and my venture crew (its a coed group of high school and college aged kids 14-21, under the umbrella of boy scoutss) wants to plan a trip to australia. where can we get cheap airfare and what are some ideas of what to do there. we are a high adventure group, so were up for mountains, beaches, backpacking, canoeing, climbing, scubadiving, just about anything. were thinking sydney, unless we can find cheaper tickets and some of us definetly want to do the great barrier reef, but we dont know what else to do so any ideas anywhere in australia would be helpful because we all are from america and dont know anything about australia thanks :D

Answer 1

Sounds like New Zealand would be ideal for you all down in Queenstown you will have all of those things near your doorstep. In australia you have all these things but some are a couple of thousand kilometres a part. You can definitly go Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef Fantastic . If you want the best beaches then down to The Gold Coast and if you want mountain walking there is mountains at the back of Cairns and the Gold Coast but the real snowy Mountains are down South  http://www.goldcoast.com.au/

http://www.divingcairns.com.au/

Answer 2

The reef is a must and below are some great islands for kids and adults to stay. Some have camping which is great for the budget minded.

http://www.virginblue.com.au/    has a great site for planning your airfares. Note that some days are cheaper than others so look at different times and days for the best bargains. I have stayed on all those islands and many many more in the Capricorn bunker area. The best reef areas. Look up one tree island and pumpkin island , you can book the whole island at pumpkin

Answer 3

Cairns is great for most of the above you want to do.

Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

Main ones are :: http://www.greatadventures.com.au and http://www.quicksilver-cruises.com

Also for something different do the http://www.scubadoocairns.com  or http://www.seawalker.com.au/english_site...

Seasonal info on the GBR - http://www.divethereef.com/Guides/Season...

Cable Skiing - http://www.cableskicairns.com.au  

Plenty of treks in the Daintree Rainforest, Daintree Discovery Centre - http://www.daintree-rec.com.au and at Cape Tribulation - Jungle Surfing http://junglesurfing.com.au/

and you must do a bungy jump while here - http://ajhackett.com.au  

List is endless..... more info see http://www.cairns.com.au/visitor-informa...

Why not contact the scouts here (or airforce or army cadets) and see if they can help out with accommodation to save $, maybe borrow there camping equipment...  Backpackers are cheap enough, Look at Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort Cairns

http://www.gilligansbackpackers.com.au

Other things to see in Cairns

http://www.tropicalaustralia.com.au/thin...  

http://www.cairnsvisitorcentre.com

http://www.cairnsattractions.com/index.h...

Other Australian websites of interest are:

http://www.themeparks.com.au

http://www.australiazoo.com.au

http://www.outbackspectacular.com.au

and this site lists all attractions state by state:

http://www.australianexplorer.com/touris...

Enjoy yourself on whatever you decide.