Travel Answers

How can I find out about holiday homes in Cairns?

Hi, We want to take a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Can you recommend a company which would compare the existing tours and make the best offer? Perhaps last minute offers. And maybe suggest other interesting trips in the area...to have a discount for a combo of trips Thanks

Hey, I have 3 days in Cairns in the middle of February before flying off to Melbourne, wondered how i could fill my 3 days without missing out on too much. Id like to include either some diving or snorkelling within the 3 days. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Andy

I would like drive my car to a place where I can park to take a bus to Kuranda. I would then like to take the sky rail back and be able to walk to my car. It would also work if I could drive to the sky rail, park my car within a reasonable distance of a bus stop, take the sky rail there, and take a public bus back. If this is possible, what is the name of the bus and where do I pick it up? SciKaren

Hi everyone, After a conference in Cairns, I will have two weeks holidays. I didn't have the time before to plan precisely what to do. So I am looking for suggestions... Obviously I will go to the greet barrier reef. Then I thought to rent a car and go for Daintree and Cap Tribulation. Afterwards nothing is planned... Usually, when possible, I prefer visiting by myself than with a group tour. I would also like to see the wildlife ( Kangaroo, Crocodile, Platypus (?), ...) in the wild, and have a taste of the Outback. One last thing, I like hiking in the wild, so if there is a place nice and not dangerous I would enjoy a few good hikes. Thanks for any ideas or advices. Camille

Hi, Would welcome a 3/4* hotel recommendation for an overnight stay in Cairns preferably close to the Airport Sunday night in October

Hi all, After some lots of research about Lake Mungo and Carnarvon Gorge, but it turns out I can't go those places with a hire car. So after all that we changed our whole plan and decided to just head to Uluru and then fly to Cairns and head south. So, I have carved out an itinerary (below) but that last bit in particular is over the top busy. Suggestions would be most welcome. This is a trip in August. PART 1: Melbourne August 4-18: Work in Melbourne, overnight trips to Great ocean highway and Yarra valley wineries. Q1: For great ocean highway would you stay 2 nights or is 1 night enough? We thought we'd drive straight inland to the west and do the drive back towards Melbourne, which seems to be the opposite direction of most people doing it. Sound ok? Q2: Yarra wineries- can it be a daytrip from Melbourne or is overnight needed? PART 2: Uluru Sat August 18 Fly to Uluru, arrive 1 pm. Hire car, drive straight to Kings Canyon, stay the night. Sunday 19th, early crater rim hike, see park, afternoon drive back to Yulara. Monday Uluru Tuesday Kata Tjuta Wednesday see stuff in am, fly at 2 pm to Cairns Q3: Do you think 1 night kings canyon/3 nights Yulara is a good balance? Yulara is SO expensive for seemingly crap lodging. We would camp if we had gear- but we dont. Do you just suck it up and stay in Yulara resort? PART 3: This is where it gets complicated... From Wednesday 22nd pm till Wednesday 29th noon, Cairns to Whitsunday? 7 nights... I have too many things on my list though, can't decide what to eliminate. The ideas were: Daintree Port Douglas/Mossman Mission beach Inland detour for Undara lava caves or charters towers Long drive to Airlie Beach to get to any island on the Whitsundays that we can afford Return car in Townsville (since has a direct flight to sydney) This is obviously too much for 7 nights, especially since we just want to have a few solid relaxed days reading on the beach, taking it easy, walking around... Q4: What to cut from above list? Q5: Is Mission Beach this a good place for my only relaxed beach time in AU? Lots of nice seeming relaxed places to stay there, but is it so great it would represent my AU beach experience? Q6: Are there any islands closer to Townsville/Cairns that really are as lovely as the Whitsundays? I living in Europe and am really looking forward to perfect beaches... So I don't want to give us that island experience. Q7: Is it crazy to drive to Whitsundays from up there in such a short time, then back up to Townsville to return car/fly to Syndey? Thanks so much all, in advance, for your feedback. This forum has been so helpful already- I've read so many posts already, but I just end up with more questions!

My wife and I will be in the Cairns/Port Douglas area for 2 weeks in January 2013. We would like to do the usual touristy things whilst we are there such as barrier reef, Kuranda, Tjapukai, Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park, Rain Forest Walk, Daintree River Cruise. Could anyone advise me on 2 things: 1 - whether it is cheaper to book these activities locally when we get there or pre book from a website? 2 - Can we pick up everything from Port Douglas if we're based there or would it be best to spend part of the time in a Cairns Hotel and then move to Port Douglas? Never been to that area before so would welcome advice.

Hi, I have loved reading lots of posts for lots of travelers. I just wonder what those of you would do if you were us, we will arrive on my daughter's 9th birthday (July 10) and have until July 14 to do stuff. We have a conference from July 15-20 and then can travel again till July 28 (our flight leaves Cairns). I thought that we could stay in Cairns on July 10-11 (to celebrate and acclimate). I have read many of you have said that it is worth it to see Kuranda (I want my daughter to hold a Koala and see the animals of Australia) and to go by sky rail so I thought that would be what we do one day. I see posts on Trinity Beach, maybe we could stay there for the days before the conference. I would also like to visit Chillagoe before the meeting (I read in Budget Travel magazine that this is a great place to visit to get a flavor of the interior) and would it be best to get a hire a car (is Redspot the best to rent from as far as prices?) or can we get there by bus? What are the views of those of you out there on that? After, I thought we could head north and I have read so many posts but wonder if we should stay in one place for the rest of our time or stay in a couple of places. We are trying to keep our costs lower on accommodations so we have more or our money to do some snorkeling tours since this is at the top of my husband's "bucket list" and he has dreamed of being able to do a trip like this. I have convinced him that we need to do the rain tree forest and see some of the other things since we can't go out and snorkel everyday since we will be in the poor house or worse! And I figure it would be best to hire a car, but if we could get to a place and work out of that, could we do it without a car? I would love to hear what you guys would do and how you would do it. I saw in one post that folks stayed at Cow Bay Hotel but have not been able to find any info on that online, does it still exist? Do the hostels have private rooms with bathrooms for the three of us or are we better off getting a hotel/motel type place. Is there a place that is not the main places people stay that would be good for us? I am open, we are still trying to figure it all out! Thanks for any and all thoughts on these matters! I have enjoyed studying the many posts already posted! Tracy

I am going to a conference in Brisbane in August. After the conference, I would love to see the Great Barrier Reef for about 3-4 days. What is the best possible way to do it? Thanks

Hi all, I am flying to Australia in November. I am flying into cairns. I have plans to travel down the coast to Sydney. Do you think its possible to travel for six weeks on what 5000$aus that would be for food travel etc. If anyone wants to give me tips on were to go , places to visit, hostel to stay in and the possibility of surviving on were 5000$. I am goin for a year I plan on settling and finding a job. Any tips on were to settle down e.g. Good but cheap night life, safe places? P.s sorry for all the questions

Hello everbody, I will be in Cairns for about 4 days in May. I have never tried scuba diving before, but I definitely want to do it in the Barrier Reef. I've seen people recommend Reef Magic Cruises and Passions of Paradise to do what I want. Which one is the best? Is there any other suggestion? Besides the one day scuba diving tour, what do locals recommend? Thanks for helping.

Hi all, I am planning on spending 6 nights in cairns in october, hopefully staying in port douglas as have heard so many good stories about the place. Am currently in the process of doing all my research into activities for me my dad and my sister, the age range of us all is from 46-21. We lost my mum to cancer last november so have planned her dream holiday in honour of her touring Aus for 3 weeks. We start our trip to Aus on the 9th october and arrive in melbourne for 2 nights before flying to Sydney where we plan to stay for 5 nights, we then fly from sydney to cairns and spend 6 nights, (yet to sort out accomodation but have our hearts set on port douglas). we then fly back to melbourne where we then go and watch the mighty Casey Stoner for three days in the Moto GP on phillip island before then heading back to the UK on the 30th Oct. (thought be best to tell you as much as possible about our trip so you can get an idea of the type of people we are so you can recommend ideas for us to see/experience while we're on tour) However while in Cairns we would love to experience a fishing trip out in the open sea above the great barrier reef just wondering if any one knows of any good tours that they could recommend? We have never fished before but see it as something we would love to do while in cairns, its as close to the water as my dad will get as he cannot swim. Any more recommendations on things to do while we're in cairns would be greatly appreciated :-D. May I also say that we are foodies, (we love to try different foods and experience all kinds of cuisines) no we're not fat people who love a hotdog just general fans of amazing foods, any recommendations on places to eat? Cheers Guys Look forward to reading some of your replies. Ashley

Hi all, would anyone have any suggestions on who could provide my wife and I a fun safe snorkel trip out of port douglas/cairns. Also if anyone would know or could give us some ideas on cost that would be great. Thanks as always

Hi, We're thinking of coming to Cairns in Early December for a couple of weeks but we are concerned about the weather. Is it too hot and humid?? Or is it still okay at that time of year?? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Hello, We are taking a cruise to see the Eclipse that will end in Sydney. After that, we will be flying to Cairns to spend 5 nights there before we fly back to the US. I know that the Jellyfish season starts in November and we wont be able to swim. We are wondering if there is still other stuff in the area that we will be able to enjoy? WE will be renting a car probably when we get there. Also, is the weather going to be extremelly hot?? Thanbks for any advise

We are planning to visit Cairns between 29 March and 1 April 2012. Can anyone recommend good hotels? Do we need to hire a car to get around? And what would be the best things to do?

Hi, Can a local please advise me on whether Cairns Tropical Wines are still in existence and if they're still selling at the Cairns and Kuranda markets? I was up north a bit over a year ago and I want to buy more wine from them but haven't been able to make contact with the company. Are they out of production due to Yasi or just hard to contact? Thanks, Kylie from Melbourne.

Hi Has anyone booked through a company called travstar based in cairns and found them ok. Thanks Alan

Hi my son 20 years old and i will be landing in cairns 26th-31st may 2012 and would like some advise. aatkings do some good excursions, do you think it is better to book and pay in uk before leaving?. Thinking of kuranda trip and barrier reef,possible cape tribulatiuon what are your thoughts. Would it be cheap to wait and book when there. Any thoughts on where to stay in cairns or port douglas which is best but will be on a bit of a tight budget. Many thanks Alan

Hello Everyone, My name is Kamran and I live in NJ, USA. This will be my first trip to Australia. Primary stay will be in Sydney. Will a trip up to Cairns be out of the question? This is the only time I am able to get off work. Also, wanted a warm place to go to since it is extremely cold in the states during that time. I love warm weather. Thanks for all your help.

Hi all, need some advices here. I have seen many many diving centers offering many diving packages online, and i am confused already. But i wonder if i can buy the package when i am there? I am looking for a 2 days 1 night liveaboard diving package. Thanks :)

Hi! New VT member here. I will be at the port in Cairns with my family in the middle of an 11 night Queensland cruise. The ship arrives in Cairns on a Saturday at 8am and leaves the next evening, Sunday at 6:30pm. There is no Great Barrier Reef tour excursion that the cruise ship offers while we are in Cairns, therefore we have decided to book a tour on our own. We would like to do a tour the first day we arrive, that Saturday. To my dismay (with total understanding of course!), most tour companies depart early, around 8am-8:30am. Therefore, we would not make that departure as the cruise ship is just arriving in port at that time. There is a tour company named Great Adventures that departs around 10am to the Great Barrier Reef. Does anyone have any reviews, good OR bad about this tour company? (Something we are toying with is the possibilty of using another company the next day, Sunday. I am reading that a lot of companies will arrive back in Cairns between 4-5pm. Our cruise ship should be docked at Trinity Wharf in Cairns and I believe a tour company called Silverswift has tours that take off/arrive in Marlin Wharf, very close to Trinity. This is a possibility, but we are taking a risk as the cruise ship will leave at 6:30pm Sunday evening with or without us)!

Hi All, Just seeking some information on the weather to be expected in the Cairns area for mid October. Are the beaches swimmable, etc and has the area recovered from the cyclone earlier this year. Thanks Peter

Hi All, I'll be travelling alone to Cairns in the beginning of Nov for a 6 days holiday. I've done some research on things to do but have no idea on how much time is needed for different activities. I'm looking forward to a relaxing holiday with sun & beaches. I also enjoy doing surba diving at the great barrier reef. My inital plan is to stay in Cairns for 2 days with 1 day taking the Kuranda Tour. The rest of my holiday will be on one of the Whitsunday island. I am planning to stay at Hamilton Island as research tells me that it is the largest among the others. But how long does it take to travel between Cairns and Hamilton? Or should I stay all the way in Cairns and travel daily to islands? I really have no idea on the approx. distance and travel time and any comments or suggestions are most welcome. Thanks!! Anne

Hi, Me and a friend are going to Cairns in September for a few months and looking to rent a nice apartment (pool, Balcony's, etc) Anyone know the best way of us doing this? Thanks

Hi, I've just joined this site so hope I can ask a question. Planning a trip to Cairns and would like to do the Kuranda Scenic Railway, but seems quite expensive. We are Aussie pensioners and have heard there can be a bit of a crush getting on the train with people pushing oldies out of the way, so having read the web site I see there is a Gold Pass option. Can anyone comment on the train and is it worth it to pay an extra46 per person for a one way Gold Pass and the other way in "steerage" Thanks, John

Hi. Can anyone recommend a good reputable cheap car hire in Cairns? I found Hertz Economy Toyota Yaris Hatch44.13/day at Vroomvroom.com.au. Is this a good choice already? Plan to travel on sealed roads. Thanks.

I will be visiting Australia in June for business, and want to bring my family over for a visit after the work is done. We are four - me & hubby, two sons 14 & 16. We have two uncertified divers (they have been on a couple beginner dives) and all are enthusiastic snorkelers. Due to the expense, this may be a once in a lifetime trip. I am looking on advice on which city to stay in (or should I look at one of the Islands? Maybe Fitzroy?) and what places to make sure we see? GBR is a definite...need help after that. I will really appreciate any advice.

I am on holiday in Townsville at the end of March this year with my husband and son and want to travel from Townsville to Cairns and ask which form of travel is the best, cheapest and fastest. Also can anyone recommend a reasonable priced hotel? Many thanks Heather