Cairns Travel Forum

Hi everyone. Apart from doing the 'relatives' thing to the UK a few times, my wife and I have never had what you might call a 'real' holiday. Although we migrated to Oz 42 years ago, with five kids, we've never been outside of WA. In fact, we haven't done much travelling at all. Now that we're in our mid-seventies and great-grandparents many times over, we reckon it's about time that we had that 'real' holiday, so we're spending our meagre savings, (and the kids inheritance!!), on a twelve day Cairns/Port Douglas holiday. First problem is whether to hire a car and visit the usual tourist destinations, or whether to rely on the Package Deals by tour operators. If we decide on the latter, it seems it would hardly be worth hiring a car, but of course, one would have less independance. Most of those package deals certainly consume your spending money in a very quick space of time, so with 3 days in Cairns and 9 in Port Douglas, which destinations offer the best value? It's costing a small fortune just getting there from Perth, so we want to make the most of it. It would be nice, too, if we could hear from any similar age couples, not necessarily from Perth, who are planning a similar trip, so that we could perhaps get to know each other even before our late July holiday. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read, Alf.

Hello Alf,
I agree with Colin, I would suggest that you rent a car, do the trips at your pace and then you can do as you please, this is easy to do in Cairns and Port Douglas.
It is easy to drive up here, just take your time and you will be fine.
When you arrive you can go to one of the many tourist info centres here and get heaps of brochures and maps. Info everywhere.
I have used a car hire place that rents older cars, these are in good condition and can be heaps cheaper. They are at the entrance of the airport road off the main highway, about a $4 dollar taxi fare, they might even come and meet you, if you are arriving during business hours.
There phone number is 07 4053 1066, I would book the car, They take credit card and also accept cash.
www.cairnsoldercarhire.com
email cairnsoldercarhire@bigpond.com

Cairns and Port have some good accommodation, there is the bargain if you know where to look. At Port Douglas I have stayed at the units at the back of the Tropic Breeze Van Park. Phione 07 40995235
They have a small amounts of units at the back of this park, you can see the 4 mile beach from these. They have tele and kitchenette, good price, around $75 per night for a double. The toilets / showers are seperate but very close and can only be used by unit people.You can ask to be next to these.
They are comfortable, have a table and chair etc out sliding double doors.
There is also a pool in this complex.But who needs a pool when you have a two minute walk to the beach!
Another place I would recommend is Port of Call backpackers.....now don't worry about the backpacker word:) this would also be perfect for you. They have double rooms, this was an old motel.
They have cheap good meals of a night.

The drive from Cairns to Port Douglas is wonderful. Once at Port you can do the trip to Cape Tribulation, trips up the hills to Mount Molloy and onward to the tablelands etc.
You could also stay at Daintree or Cape trib area, there are a number of places that are good budget prices.

I am now living in Cairns, have been visiting this area for 25 years. If you need any info please don't hesitate to contact me, I am happy to give suggestions.

Cheers
Anne

I think hiring a car would be better as you can go out whenever you want to and perhaps economise on accommodation, we have used cabins in caravan parks that were reasonably priced, or even on-site vans. Just make sure there is air conditioning as that area can be very humid. Unfortunately Port Douglas has an expensive reputation but if you could get an accommodation guide from your motoring association you could find less expenive options.

Thanks to everyone for the very helpful advice. Things have changed since my first post. Not being very wordly travellers, our accomodation and vehicle hire is now already booked. This was simply because we were told that Cairns and Port accomodation and vehicle hire are heavily booked for this time of year and we didn't want any problems. It seems that the question of car hire was indeed, the correct one, according to your replies. Apart from those items being taken care of, we're on our own. What I'd like is a sort of itinerary so that we don't waste any time making decisions. At our age, snorkelling and white water rafting is definitely out!! Also, don't like having to pay outrageous prices which inexperienced holidaymakers sometimes have to endure. For instance, no meals are included with our accomodation, so we need reasonably priced eating places. Still interested in contacting other similar age couples who are planning to go at the last week in July/first week in August. Maybe, but not necessarily, share car hire costs. Mainly however, it would be nice to share the experience, the laughs and the companionship. Alf.

Hi again Alf,
In Port Douglas you have many cheap eating places, plus some good take away places to have a meal.
The Combination Club, locally know as the Combo club is on the warf, this is a club so it has cheap meals, great outlook over the inlet. Cheap drinks as well. You can have entre or main. Check out this for sure. You can start from around $10 per person for a main.
ALso in the main street there are little cafe's that are cheap, fish and chips etc.
The Courthouse hotel on the corner of Wharf Street and Macrosson has great meals for very good prices. Once again some of the entre's are good as a main meal.

In Cairns there are also some great cheap places to eat, pub meals, the Serviceman's club on the Esplanade, also near the nightmarkets there is a food hall that has many different eating places for you.
Along the Esplanade they have deals, if you eat before or around 6.30 pm you can get a discount, some up to 25%. These all have signs.
AIf your accommodation has a microwave you could buy during the day and heat up at night. You won't have a problem finding some good cheap eats. Good icecream places along the Esplanade as well:)

Your 3 days in Cairns could be filled by the following, this is what most do....
A drive up to Kuranda, here there are markets, Baron River and also a couple of things like the Butterfly House, or just wander along the lovely little main street.Make sure you check out the Kuranda Railway station as this is very unique and good photos opportunity.
Kuranda is about 40 minutes from Cairns.
Another day you could take a picnic lunch to the Botanical Gardens/ Tanks area and have a wander around there, beautiful, plus you can walk from here to Centenary Lakes...all lovely.
Another day you could once again pack a picnic and head a little north of the city and visit the northern beaches, especially Palm Cove...lovely.
There are many tourist info centres in Cairns, heaps of brochures of many things to do and see.
A walk along the boardwalk on the esplanade is nice of an evening.

Port Douglas, well from here you can do the day trip to Cape Tribulation.
This isn't a long drive, but it can be done at a nice pace and make a day of it.
Leave Port EARLY, say around 7am, from Port you drive to Mossman Gorge, this is about 25 minutes from Port, getting there early you can beat the tourist rush. You can do the walk there, takes about an hour or so, not a hard walk, very easy.It's beautiful.
From there head to the little village called Daintree, here you can have your morning cuppa and have a look around, not a lot there, but worth the stop.
From Daintree you head to the river crossing, on the barge, once over the river you just drive along the road, stop when you want too, go off the main road to visit Cow Bay etc and when you come to Cape Tribulation you can have a walk on the boardwalk and beach, lovely place, where the rainforest meets the reef.
I was there last week and was very excited to see a Cassowary, I hadn't seen one in the wild before.
Once you have seen all you can head home. The road is safe and easy to drive.

The 4 mile beach is lovely to sit on, either in the sun or under a Palm tree.

You can also do a day drive up to Mount Molloy and Atherton. You head from Port, take the Mossman road and you will see the Mount Molloy sign on the right...head for the hills and enjoy....lots of maps available when you get here you can get one from Tourist Info.
The Atherton Tablelands are lovely, lots to see, you could do a couple of trips to this area. There are brochures on this area as well.

If you like the water, well if you like being on the top of the water, on a Wednesday evening you can get a free trip out along the inlet and out around the Lowe Isle area. You go there about 3.30pm, ask at the bar for the man that is taking names for sailing...stick your name on the list:) I think the only fee is to buy the captain of the yacht a beer or two...go there and inquire on the Tuesday and you will be all in the know:)
Now for you to say that you are too old for snorkling, hey that's NOT true!!!!!Never too old they say:) Check out the outer reef boat tours when you get to Port, you don't have too snorkle, but you will get a great llunch and also a look at the outer reef.
Check out my Port Pages and this will give you some info.
Need any more info let me know
Cheers
Anne

"You go there about 3.30pm, ask at the bar for the man that is taking names for sailing...stick your name on the list"

Anne. Which bar? Where?