Cairns Travel Forum

I'm planning a visit of a couple of weeks to the Cairns area in late July. The main purpose of the trip is to rest and recuperate after a couple of hectic projects. I plan on doing some swimming, some walking, lots of reading, a bit of shopping, probably a couple of day trips, a snorkelling trip on the reef, and lots of eating. This will be my first holiday on my own and am not very adventurous, not into backpackers but can't afford the best accommodation. Not really into night life, good inexpensive food is much more important. I probably won't hire a rental car so will be reliant on local transport.

Advice would be appreciated on whether I'm better to stay in Cairns itself, the local beaches such as Trinity or Palm, or Port Douglas ?

i know the areas very well-----i stay right in the town of port douglas---as you can walk around to everything do the reading etc and have quite times but if you feel like talking to some one hit the street --great food etc----trinity beach is very quite and palm beach is a fun great places to stay few very good resturants spar tourist--and thats it

local transport isn't the best
cairns itself has a buzz about it and there is things to do and walk around the shops etc not much of a beach around there but your hotel might have a pool--hope this helps

Hi, I am a Cairns local and there are many places you can unwing in our fair city.

We don't have a beach but what we do have is a wonderful lagoon for swimming right on the Esplanade and lots of eating places right opposite. also Cairns has our famous mudflats which are tidal, lots of birdlife and a really nice boardwalk along the esplanade. Cairns Central shopping centre has many different shops and eating places and actually won a tourist award. The business centre has cafes and pubs and lots of restaurents reasonably priced and art galleries and museum. It is a flat walkable city with interesting shops and areas---if you want to have a nice lunch and feel safe I can recommend the restaurents at the Casino--the meals at Flinders bar and grille inside the casino all cost below $10.00 australian. The crumbed calamari is fantastic also the fish & chips. The reef trips all leave from Trinity wharf within walking distance and of coarse we have two movie complexes to choose from if you want to catch a movie.You could also do a day trip to Port Douglas or Palm Cove.
So Cairns itself along the esplane effectionaly called "The Nard" has shade trees and seats or grassy areas that you can read a book.

Hope this helps & have a restful time recuperating.

Regards Dorrise

If you go to Etty Bay just down a bit from Cairns I think it is about a one hour drive you can hire a little wooden hut on the beach. Every evening you are treated to the sight of a wild cassawery. The cafe sells the biggest portion of fresh fish and chips I have ever eaten. The cassawery is a very rare bird it looks like an ostrich and has been known to attack and kill people on the odd occasion.
We also liked the Daintree tropical rain forest. We stayed on a camping site right by the ocean. But the highlight of our trip had to be walking along the beach alongside the Cassawery.

Best wishes, Vicki

Hey- I found Cairns to be iteresting, pricey, crowded- but you will be going during the "winter"months, so perhaps it won't be so crowded. We used Cairns as a jumping off spot for a 5 day cruise on Princess Cruise lines- small ship, held only around 60 passengers, but only about 36 were on board- mostly from other countries. Cabins were adequte, food absolutely delicious- fresh, tasty, not too fussy- great snorkeling and diving, lots of time to rest and read, some hiking and beach time available- it was one of the most enjoyable aspects of a truly memorable trip-

I would highly recommend that you go to Port Douglas.
This is a great village with wonderful restaurants and cafe's, all different prices and an amazing selection on the menus.
One of my most favourite is Salsa Bar and Grill.
You can head down to the cafe's on the Marina and have a coffee while looking over the inlet and hills.

There are plenty of little shops to browse. Day spas and massage places also.
You can choose from many different types of massage etc.
There are a couple of book shops also. The prices here are pretty good.
If you like a wine or somehing else to drink of an evening there is a bottle shop.
The Four mile beach is wonderful, especially in July, this is when the weather is usually bloody perfect:)
You can lay on a towel or hire a lounge for the day.
The walk along this beach is also great.

If you are inclined you can hire a car for a day and do the trip to Cape Tribulation via Mossman Gorge. Mossman Gorge is wonderful, lovely easy walk in this area. Tis an easy walk, that takes about an hour or more, whatever you wish.
Cape trib is wonderful to see and also walk along the beach here or just lay in the shade of a palm tree and read.
This trip is really a * not to be missed*

From Port you can do the outer reef, this is a day trip. There are a number of companies, I always recommend the Quicksilver as I have done this many times and each time I love it. The boat leaves from the Marina, which you can walk to from the centre of town.

Accommodation in Port is over loaded with variety. A good site to look at is Wotif.com.au as here you can find bargains, especially if you are staying for more that 2 days.
There are always standby deals in Port.
If you find something a little out of the main street area there is always the bus that runs all day and late into the night. It is the perfect way to go.

Port now has so many places to stay. Most are apartments, these are self contained, little kitchen, so you can also eat at home. There is a supermarket and great vegie shop where you can find food.

I think Port is the best if you are travelling alone. You won't feel alone dining and will have plenty to do.
Palm Cove is much smaller and after a day you will have seen all.

If you don't hire a car you can also book some Cape Trib trips etc in Port.

Have a great time in Paradise.

Anne

Ah, I guess that would be Coral Princess cruises ? They look lovely but a bit too pricey for my pocket. Unfortunately the winter months are high season in this area so I'd expect it to be fairly busy and expensive.

Thanks all for your responses, much appreciated.

Thanks particularly for your response Anne12, lots of useful info and very relevant to my question :-)