Port Douglas/Cape Tribulation

GiJo

Counting_Pennies wrote:

I personally would say stay in Port Douglas and do a day trip to Cape Tribulation.

There are tour guides able to do trips from Port Douglas, bookable via your hotel or in the middle of the town.

That way you can have a base and do things in your own time when you get there, instead of knowing that you have to keep packing and unpacking

We originally booked to have 2 nights in Cape and 4 in Port Douglas, but when we arrived in our accommodation in Port Douglas, we were so settled, and hated the thought of living out of a suitcase more than we needed to, so decided to alter our arrangements.

We took a day trip to Cape in a small minibus seating 6 people, it was very knowledgeable, they took us to many places we wouldn't otherwise have been to and it was great fun.

We stayed in the Rydges, in a self contained two bedroom town house, I believe the place has been refurbished this year, when I went before refurbishment it was a little tired but still in good enough condition for the price we paid.

That's what we're thinking of doing, 2 nights Cape Trib and 4 nights PD, but like you I'm not keen on the unpacking/packing bit.

Which tour company did you use for the trip to the Cape?

Thomsongolfer

Gimpy Gimpy trees are plants in the forest that have tiny little needles on the leaves, a little bit like fibre glass, so dont touch them! Some people have died when they fell into them so they are quite dangerous (according to our guide). Actually the best bit was the guide saying in a broad aussie accent, 'this is the gimpy gimpy tree'. Hilarious! Will see if I can find the name of the company we used as they were good. Make sure you go out to the reef snorking as well.

Counting_Pennies_2

GiJo wrote:

Which tour company did you use for the trip to the Cape?

We just booked up with the tour company attached to the Rydges Apartment complex, afraid I can't remember the name of the company, but they did pick up from other hotels, so I assume it is a universally arranged company, so as soon as you know which place you are going to stay at, I would suggest asking them to book it in advance. If they don't offer that service, I wouldn't think there is any problem booking up when you get there, that is precisely what we did.

Have fun

GiJo

Thomsongolfer wrote:

Gimpy Gimpy trees are plants in the forest that have tiny little needles on the leaves, a little bit like fibre glass, so dont touch them! Some people have died when they fell into them so they are quite dangerous (according to our guide). Actually the best bit was the guide saying in a broad aussie accent, 'this is the gimpy gimpy tree'. Hilarious! Will see if I can find the name of the company we used as they were good. Make sure you go out to the reef snorking as well.

Ouch, will try to avoid them. We're def going to try snorkelling, even though never done it before.

SammyD_2

We stayed at the Sheraton in Port Douglas, which was lovely, big swimming pool, as at certain times of the year you can't swim in the sea due to the jelly fish.

We did a day trip up to Daintree/Cape tribulation, really enjoyed it, we just booked through the hotel, and had a big four wheel off road vehicle with guide. Also the Barrier reef was fab - you need to decide whether to use one of the little operators or the big ones - we went for a big one, very impressed by the facilities - Nice big boat, then out to a moored pontoon, and lots of activities - you could scuba dive, snorkle in a roped off area, there was a submarine you could go down in which was fab. It might be a bit tame if you are a diver, but for a relatively conservative person like me it was just right.

We also went to the Jabakai (not sure that is the right spelling) park outside Cairns, it is an aborignal park with walks through the forest, story telling etc. Designed for tourists, but good for a day out.

nej

Tjapukai is what you mean. Worth a visit definately. And the cable car/train are good and also the Zoo is fantastic.

If you have LivingTV 2 watch the Amazing Race next Monday at 9pm (or it might be the monday after that actually), as that episode is based in Cairns and goes to Tjapukai and the zoo.

We used Reef Magic for our reef trip - highly recommended but they're probably all good.

My wife went Kayaking from Cape Trib for a morning and loved it. Nothing strenuous but you follow a guide and get to drink from coconuts and all sorts.

I'm getting all jealous now!

GiJo

SammyD - we're not divers, so that trip sounds about right.


Nej - hadn't heard of Tjapukai but just looked it up on the wacky worldwide web and it sounds really interesting.

I keep getting just a little excited when I think about this holiday.

Counting_Pennies_2

http://www.thelakescairns.com.au/index.html?crs&type=GoogleAdWordsSearch

If like me you have an early flight on your way back out of Port Douglas, you might want to consider staying over in Cairns.

We stayed at this place through going through a last minute deal the price was really good and the place was amazing, highly recommend it.

Sadly we only stayed one night, and wish we had booked a couple of nights in between.

GiJo

Our flight isn't too bad so don't think we'll need to do that, but had a look anyway and as you say the place does look impressive.

SammyD_2

nej wrote:

Tjapukai is what you mean.

Yep, thats the one - I knew it had an unusual spelling...Worth going to see, but I can't ever go back after a rather humiliating incident during the Boomerang throwing session.