Looking at flights from uk to Qld and there seems to be a huge difference between costs to Brisbane or Cairns. Is this the same year round or just in UK summer? This may influence decision of [lace to relocate as aware of costs for visiting family!

Theres a lot more choice in how to get to Brisbane than Cairns

Cairns is only really serviced by directly from SEAsia by Qantas, JAL and Cathay whereas Brisbane has lots more operators. I'd guess this has an impact on pricing.

Spain is cheaper.

Sorry to be flippant but first consideration should be where you desire to be or need to be for work.

We are flying to Brisbane in August to validate visas.
Wanted to fly October originally but with 2 children had to fly in August.

Family of 4, Singapore Airlines there was a £600 difference between August and October. Has to be school holidays!

But on the flip side...it will be low season in Brisbane so we saved on accommodation

Fair point but I dont speak spanish!!!
We cant decided between sunshine coast and cairns. I could get job in either as GP. We havent been to sunshine coast (somehow on our year long episode in townsville didnt go to sunshine coast), but know cairns quite well. Was looking at going this summer for holiday to try to help make decision etc but flights to cairns ar £1200 each compared to £800 each for brisbane. This is obviously a huge difference and if we would be equally happy living in either doesnt make any difference to us but would affect how often we could have visitors!

Hi Smog73,

Try Airlinenetwork.com website, seems to be fairly competitive with flights to Oz. Have used Travelbag before and was able to barter the price with them, just say that rival company is offering less, they will definately try to match the price. Hope this helps.....

So you definitely need to check out the Sunshine Coast, you may hate it and that would be the end of it. I know we are all very different but I'm fairly amazed that you appear to be considering rellies visiting for a few weeks over where you and yours would spend every day. I'm sure it's not as simple as that but your overall concern must surely be what works for you personally. I'm sure your rellies are nothing like mine but we've not had a visit in 2 1/2 years so it's a damn good job we didn't consider them in the first place

Cairns will always be that much more expensive simply for the reasons already given.