Nywoman

Hi,

I will be leaving for Australia October 20th and returning November 17th.

This is my initial itinerary:

Arrive Sydney Oct 22 -28

Sydney- Cairns Oct 28-Nov 4

Cairns – Brisbane Nov 4- 9

Brisbane – Melbourne Nov 9 – 14

Then back to Sydney for departure on the 17th

Apart from my stay in Brisbane, where I will visit with friends, I will be on my own. I am in my early 70's. I plan on flying from place to place since I don't drive anymore. I would love suggestions on what to see and do. Also is the order of places goood and time planned in each?

I will definitively be snorkeling but where I don't know, I presume there are buses once I get to Cairns to take me elsewhere if I so choose. So many choices and places to go
that's why I am asking for help.

longhorn55

Yes, there are shuttle buses that can take you elsewhere should you decide not to stay in Cairns. I have used Sun Palm Transport to go between Cairns Airport and Port Douglas and there are other companies as well.

There are plenty of boats in both Cairns and Port Douglas which offer snorkel and dive tours to the Outer Reef. I'm a big fan of Wavelength (gone out with them 5 times) because they are a snorkel-only boat which takes a maximum of 30 passengers. They are based in Port Douglas, but you can arrange for a bus transfer if you are in Cairns.

AlanJG

Nywoman,
Tell us a little more about your interests so we can respond meaningfully.

Susan7

Nywoman, I wouldn't visit 3 cities. This is not why people visit Australia. For the last leg I would consider going to Kakadu or Uluru (both in the Northern Territory) or Tasmania perhaps if you are interested in wildlife and walking.

tt7

Yes, some background information on likes/dislikes would be helpful but then this thread would suggest that Nywoman is fairly adventurous -

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...nd-myanmar.cfm

For Cairns - although some would disagree - I would stay in Palm Cove or Port Douglas, a bit to the north. Cairns itself has (in my opinion) very little to recommend it. Most of the reef trips depart from Cairns, although some leave from Port Douglas. Wherever you stay in Palm Cove or Port Douglas, the hotel will be able to arrange a snorkeling trip to the reef for you, including bus pick-up and drop-off from wherever you're staying. They can also arrange the bus transportation to/from Cairns airport for you.

In Palm Cove, the beach is (literally) across the (fairly narrow and quiet) main road from all the hotels etc. Because of its location, most of the traffic is either arriving or leaving, i.e., really no thru traffic in Palm Cove, as it's off the main highway north to Port Douglas. Port Douglas has more shops etc. etc. but depending on where you stay, it may be a hike to Four Mile Beach. We've always stayed in Palm Cove (for what that's worth) and usually without a car.

Most tourists probably do the Kuranda trip - take the train up and the Skyrail back. Again, whereever you're staying can arrange it for you, including bus pick-up/drop-off from your hotel.

http://www.kuranda.org

The other main place to go in the Cairns area would be the Atherton Tablelands -

http://www.athertontablelands.com.au

Palm Cove is about 20+ minutes north of Cairns, Port Douglas about an hour or so. We've only been to Port Douglas when we had a car. You can certainly get a (regular) bus from Palm Cove to Cairns though I'm not sure how easy it is to get to Port Douglas without your own transport.

The video on this site will give you some idea of Palm Cove -

http://www.palmcoveaustralia.com

Nywoman

Thank you all for advice and suggestions.

I will actually be going to 4 places which is sort of deliberate I wanted to have time to smell the roses. I don't want to waste too many days traveling and if I love it I can always return to explore different areas including Tasmania.
The Outback which I thought would be my primary goal I have discovered is not. Maybe if I watch "Priscilla the Desert Queen" again I'll change my mind.

Am not as agile as I have been nor do I have as much energy.
I am just full of pure excitement that I feel the wanderlust again, which I thought was gone forever.

For those of you who have read my blogs will know that food and wine is important. I like Flora and Fauna, people and whatever happens really, some museums and performances. Will try to see if I can get a ticket to the Sydney Opera while there. Usually when I travel good things sort of happen.
I was thinking of going to Port Douglas as well as the Atherton Tablelands and for sure Kuranda. Palm Cove looks wonderful I wonder how it is for a single traveler though.

More things to ponder on.