Cairns: Things to see and do (Reef etc)

Barcode

This weekend, I'll be booking a Barrier of Reef cruise/snorkel trip as well as the Karunda/Rainforestation trip. Does anybody have any recommendations? We are going to be in Cairns from Aug 25th-Sept1.

I have several companies bookmarked, but I'd like some personal views. We're looking for a cruise to the reef with a small-ish group of people (not the boats that take hundreds of tourists), a few hours snorkelling, with drinks/buffet lunch included.

I'm wondering if there is some sort of pass you can buy to go to all attractions?

Cheers for any advice

Party_Animal

Barcode, I'll join in if that's ok as I'm there in december. We've had Quicksilver recommended. We're based in Port Douglas but I'd be interested in other people's experiences.

nej

Karunda/Rainforestation - make sure you do both the cable car and the train. No need to book in advance though really.

Reef - I went with Reef Magic, who were very well priced (included nice lunch etc). Was a medium-sized sort of boat with 50-odd people on board (might've been a bit more, hard to remember really) so maybe a bit too many?

Awesome place. I recommend the Wild World Zoo as well, and Cape Tribulation if you can. The beach there is just out of this world. The Aboriginal place isn't bad either. Can't quite remember the name of it, and certainly wouldn't be able to spell it but everyone will know it.

If you want car hire (cheeky plug!) then PM me cos my brother-in-law lives in Cairns and runs a car-hire firm specialising in slightly older cars, so they are cheaper than the usual guys.

Barcode

I've checked Reef Magic and it's 173 dollars / 70 pounds. It seems reasonable.

Another one I've found is Ocean Spirit Cruises which is 136 dollars / 55 pounds. The website claims you get four hours on the Reef, travel to Upola Cay/Oyster Reef, guided snorkelling tour, food, afternoon tea, use of equipment. It seems a better deal (?)

I'm not sure about a car. We're staying in the Oasis Resort which claims to be very central. Our only excursion outside the city will be to the Reef and Rainforestation I think.

Can anyone recommend some reasonably priced, but nice places to eat? During the day, we'll be happy to pop into any cheap cafe for a sandwich, but it would be nice to have a few nights where we go slightly more upmarket without blowing the budget.

(think I'll change the title of this thread to make it more relevant)

LesD

The aboriginal show is Tjapukai. Like all these shows you either love 'em or think they're a rip-off!

For Kuranda, go up by train and come down by cable-car.

There are so many options for reef tours you may want to wait 'til you're there to get the best deal.

For exploring up north, a hire car will only get you to the Daintree river. Beyond that is 4x4 territory.

nej

LesD wrote:

The aboriginal show is Tjapukai. Like all these shows you either love 'em or think they're a rip-off!

For Kuranda, go up by train and come down by cable-car.

There are so many options for reef tours you may want to wait 'til you're there to get the best deal.

For exploring up north, a hire car will only get you to the Daintree river. Beyond that is 4x4 territory.

Said I wouldn't be able to spell it...

Car hire should take you over the river on the ferry no problem. The road only becomes unpaved at Cape Tribulation (a couple of hundred yards before Cape Trib Beach House IIRC), and that's a good 45-60 min drive once your over the river.

LesD

nej wrote:

Car hire should take you over the river on the ferry no problem. The road only becomes unpaved at Cape Tribulation (a couple of hundred yards before Cape Trib Beach House IIRC), and that's a good 45-60 min drive once your over the river.

....as long as the suspension is good enough for the speed bumps and you stay on the straight and narrow!!!

nearlyrich

There are lots of restaurants in Cairns, none of them were mega busy when we went in November a couple of years ago. Agree with the advice on Karunda up by train down by cablecar again no need to book too far in advance, we just turned up and we got great seats on the train.

Port Douglas is lovely we had some good meals there too, and QUICKSILVER are a good company to do the reef with, you get a superb buffet lunch included in the fare, makes a change from the UK where they charge extra for everything they can.

Have a great time everyone who is travelling to Oz it's a wonderful place.

VickyA_2

I went up on the cable car to Kuranda and back down on the train......... either way, it's pretty spectacular. There's a great touristy shop there that does wood products: Bob's Wood Art - gorgeous bowls and wine coasters that are light enough to carry home.

Unfortunately, I can't remember which boat I took out to the reef but there were about 30 of us on it. For a small extra fee you could have an introductory scuba dive, on top of the snorkelling. I loved the snorkelling though - though I did make sure I made the most of the scuba dive. Better than doing it for the first time off the coast of Skeggy

Another must is to go up the Daintree river and see the crocs basking. Oh and Cape Tribulation, as others have suggested.

martindow

I agree about the road to Cape Trib - we went in an ordinary hire car. The road's OK beyond the ferry as long as you take it easy. Technically you are probably ininsured as car hirer's often stipulate that you should stay on sealed roads. Personally I found the Karunda train/cable car trip pleasant but very expensive.

Party_Animal

Martin. what do you call expensive? We'd planned to do this trip.