Holidaying in Cairns....

Kinnon Bell

Kinnon Bell

Howdy all!

The other half and I will be spending 2 weeks in Cairns/Palm Cove at the end of July. We've got a few activities booked already such as sky diving (for me), fishing charter, ATV tour, snorkeling/tour to green island, white water rafting and a few other little bits and pieces.

Just wondering if anyone has any other suggestions or things we could do there. May be a bit of a big ask but something a million and one other tourists wont be doing! Maybe some local hot spots? We both love nature and just being away from civilisation. I'm a photographer and he's a mad keen fisherman.

Also, good restaurants? We're staying in an apartment and will be home cooking most nights but we do want a couple of nights out, where can we get a decent meal, don't mind paying decent money for it too, any cuisine type!

Thanks in advance!
 
Cairns region is my favorite place in Australia, you'll have a lovely time! I'd recommend travelling about, as there are so many nice places. Even though it's touristy, I'd still do Kuranda and Green Island, which are heavily promoted. Also worth going up to the Daintree area, which is lovely! Definately go to Port Douglas, and I'd also recommend driving north, up to Cape Tribulation (I think that's as far as you can go without 4WD). A fair drive, but worth it. The whole region is really beautiful with the rainforest and beaches. If you're looking for a day trip, Paronella Park is worth the visit, I found it interesting and really enjoyed it.
 
I think the road is now sealed as far as Cooktown but you would need to go via Kuranda and inland in most vehicles.

Bloomfield track is a bit of an eye opener after Daintree sealed bit ends.

I though Green Island was quite overrated and went to outer reef as well to get my coral fix :)
 
There's a zoo up near Mareeba that has lions, hippos, rhinos. Go for the night tour and you get to pat the rhinos, and see the lion feeding. Absolutely fantastic.

(I just can't seem to find it right now on google, sorry.)
 
Kesse said:
Howdy all!

The other half and I will be spending 2 weeks in Cairns/Palm Cove at the end of July. We've got a few activities booked already such as sky diving (for me), fishing charter, ATV tour, snorkeling/tour to green island, white water rafting and a few other little bits and pieces.

Just wondering if anyone has any other suggestions or things we could do there. May be a bit of a big ask but something a million and one other tourists wont be doing! Maybe some local hot spots? We both love nature and just being away from civilisation. I'm a photographer and he's a mad keen fisherman.

Also, good restaurants? We're staying in an apartment and will be home cooking most nights but we do want a couple of nights out, where can we get a decent meal, don't mind paying decent money for it too, any cuisine type!

Thanks in advance!
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ditch green island and go to the outer reef. it's more expensive but the experience is well worth it. it's like comparing colour tv to black and white.

crystal cascades is a freshwater swimming hole popular with locals but not tourists and should be quieter this time of the year. nice spot for a picnic.

barnacle bills is a good seafood restaurant on the esplande (not a fast food outlet like down south). Agree salt house is good and they do great cocktails.

nothing is cheap in cairns!

lastly most of the world drives on the right hand side of the road. the drive out to palm cover involves a few large roundabouts that the right hand drives seem to find particularly challenging. beware!
 
Another thought, if you get sick of home cooking but don't want to pay big bucks you can get a meal at the RSL club or the Casino bistro, both cheaper and quite reasonable for the money.

You will have to queue up with the locals to order :)
 
Thanks all!

Does anyone know anything about Chillagoe (sp?) Caves? Are they worth the 3 hour drive west? Also, the skyrail?

We have hired a little Huyandai Getz for the duration so we won't be without transport. I think Cape Tribulation will definately be on the cards with a stop off at Port Douglas on the way.

Biggles, Paronella Park does look quite interesting, not sure what to make of it, seems very eclectic.

PT, I've never scuba dived before, would love to but my other half isn't the most daring or adventurous person ever. The things I had to do to get him to go white water rafting!

Ideo, I've always wanted to try Jamaican before, will have to out that on the 'to do' list. Same with The Salt House, can't view their menu on their website though.

Ed, Crystal Cascades looks pretty awesome. I was a bit afraid of going to only Green Island being so popular but the other tours seems to go to more than one reef during the day which is good in theroy but we don't want to be rushed, might look further into this. Thanks for the hot tip for driving too, we're staying in Palm Cove, so maybe we'll go around the wrong way on the round-about too!

Marg and Wobby, great suggestions too! I have even more reason not to come back to Melbourne!

Macca, don't mind lining up with the locals at all! I'm hoping to be one in the coming years and we'll be looking at the different resi areas for our future PPOR. I have to escape Melbourne ASAP otherwise I'll have permanant "S.A.D.s". Bloomfield track looks pretty cool, not sure the little Getz will like it though! Might have to wait till we're up there perm with our 4WD.
 
Wife & I are going on second honeymoon to port Douglas in oct
Been 18 years since last visit However I will revisit
Outer reef with quick silver with a scuba dive great for beginners
Karanda market
Sky rail & train
Buttery house karanda I think
Crock park never been to
Daintree forest great day
Baron river white water rafting
More reef not as good as quick silver
Wave dancer sail boat out to low island
As for food no idea what is about after 18 years
Now returning with a 15 & 11 year old any good advice would be apriciate
 
Kesse said:
Thanks all!

Does anyone know anything about Chillagoe (sp?) Caves? Are they worth the 3 hour drive west?
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If you're in the area drop in, but not worth a dedicated visit. If you've never seen caves then it might be worth it.

Also, the skyrail?
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If you haven't seen rainforest then well worth it, and get the train back.

We have hired a little Huyandai Getz for the duration so we won't be without transport.
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If you like driving then hire a sports/convertible car and go up the kuranda range and down the Gilles. Lots of curves and bends. If you make it an overnight then you can visit the caves in this trip.

I've never scuba dived before, would love to but
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It's usually an optional extra to the reef trip, where you can decide on route to the reef...

Ed, Crystal Cascades looks pretty awesome.
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It will probably be a little lame in the dry season.

I was a bit afraid of going to only Green Island being so popular but the other tours seems to go to more than one reef during the day which is good in theroy but we don't want to be rushed, might look further into this
Click to expand...
.

there are plenty of operators that will only visit one reef. Even if they visit a couple of areas it's not a big deal. you might spend 1.5 hrs getting to the reef, so a 15m time between reefs is nothing. As someone else said quicksilver is good.

Macca, don't mind lining up with the locals at all! I'm hoping to be one in the coming years
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If you intend to move to the tropics, then pay a visit in the wet season. many don't like the humidity.
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When I was a tourist I did cape Cape Trib in a Hyudai Getz. You'll do it fine. Nice drive but I found Cape trib itself to be a dissapointment.Maybe I should have got out and used my feet a bit more. It's a big drive but I thought that mission beach was also a nice drive into town.

The white water rafting was my favourite activity. I did it on two seperate trips. I would do it again, especially after rain.

Kuranda skyrail is a nice trip. The croc pies at Kuranda aren't any good though. I expected chunks but it was minced.

Get to the reef for either a fish, snorkel or dive.

Cooktown is on my list to do. If you do it, let us know what it's like.

Now that I'm a local. I went to Port Douglas yesterday. It looked like a nice place for a coffee, meal or weekend stay.

Today I went south to Yarrabah. The racism is pretty horrific there. I was called a white *unt alot of times today, but perhaps that's because they didn't like the shirt I was wearing. I didn't even get to see the town. Shame as coming down the hill it looked like a beautiful place.

Have fun up here.
 
Kesse said:
PT, I've never scuba dived before, would love to but my other half isn't the most daring or adventurous person ever. The things I had to do to get him to go white water rafting!
Click to expand...

Call me when you get back. We can arrange a 'try dive'. Weedy Sea Dragons are pretty cool!
 
Risky Business said:
When I was a tourist I did cape Cape Trib in a Hyudai Getz. You'll do it fine. Nice drive but I found Cape trib itself to be a dissapointment

Cooktown is on my list to do. If you do it, let us know what it's like.

Have fun up here.
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Hi,

The trip to Cape Trib is OK in a car but don't try the Bloomfield Track, if you want to go to Cooktown in a car you really should go via the sealed road through Kuranda for safety.

Cooktown is a nice smallish place, had everything you would expect, the locals claim the fishing is fabulous and expect a rolling boom to emerge with keen fisherman discovering it now that the road is sealed. I have never seen it advertised as such, maybe they don't want us to know.

The place has the river as an entry to the ocean and the town is on the higher bank with the hill behind, all nicely kept with a park along the river etc. Only a few tourist things to do, not many tourist attractions when we were there, mainly fishing.

We were there in 2009 and the prices for RE were quite expensive, lots of $350-400 k average style houses. I was really surprised and asked the locals how come and the answer was when the mine closed everyone just retired and there are very few houses for sale.

We stayed at the Hotel/Motel on the corner right in the heart of town, rooms were typical, service was quite good, happy with the stay. The caravan park is along way from the water which surprised me.
 
Macca

Isn't the caravan park a long way from the water because of the crocodiles?

I recall a group camping close to the water and losing someone to a crocodile

Chris
 
Ed Barton said:
If you're in the area drop in, but not worth a dedicated visit. If you've never seen caves then it might be worth it.

Nope, never seen caves before. Is there anything else out that way?

If you haven't seen rainforest then well worth it, and get the train back.

I've seen a rainforest before, not from the treetops though.

If you like driving then hire a sports/convertible car and go up the kuranda range and down the Gilles. Lots of curves and bends. If you make it an overnight then you can visit the caves in this trip.

Not the hugest fan of driving, or at least not for the sake of it.

It's usually an optional extra to the reef trip, where you can decide on route to the reef...



It will probably be a little lame in the dry season.

Bugger.

there are plenty of operators that will only visit one reef. Even if they visit a couple of areas it's not a big deal. you might spend 1.5 hrs getting to the reef, so a 15m time between reefs is nothing. As someone else said quicksilver is good.

Will look into this and see what the cancellation fees are for the tour we've booked.

If you intend to move to the tropics, then pay a visit in the wet season. many don't like the humidity.
Click to expand...

I'm originally from the far north coast of NSW and spent 25 years of my life there so humidity is nothing new for me. I'm the type of person who is in the jumper and jeans if it's below 30°. I can't stand the dry heat where it's like having my head in a fan forced oven - if you can even call what melbourne has as 'heat'.

INVSTOR said:
This is an old thread but may have some ideas for you! I still haven't managed to plan a trip there!! I think I should start planning! http://somersoft.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49241
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Cheers, that's a good thread!

Risky Business said:
Cooktown is on my list to do. If you do it, let us know what it's like.
Click to expand...

Will do - if the fishing is decent I'd say it'd be on the list...

PT_Bear said:
Call me when you get back. We can arrange a 'try dive'. Weedy Sea Dragons are pretty cool!
Click to expand...

Such a kind offer! Thanks, I was actually going to call you in the next 3-4 months for other reasons, but may have to make it sooner! :D
Click to expand...
 
chrispy said:
Macca

Isn't the caravan park a long way from the water because of the crocodiles?

I recall a group camping close to the water and losing someone to a crocodile

Chris
Click to expand...

Hi Chris,

I am not sure but there are definitely crocs around the area, they do see them going down the river, past the town and out to see :eek:
 
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