tropo

Pat, I am thinking of going back to Nth Qld again (after 30 yrs absence)for a driving holiday, probably next June/July.
Can you give me advice on a few places, I didn't get around to visiting last time!
1. Is the inland road to Cooktown of bitumen surface
2. Are the Undurra Lava Tubes worth seeing.
3. I never got to visit Fitzroy Island, is it worth doing a day visit. (we have visited numerous other islands & reefs in the cairns region, either day visit or fishing)
4. Any recommendations on places to stay at Port Douglas or Palm Cove area, nice but not too expensive.
We are thinking of flying from Brisbane to Cairns, staying just up the road, eg Port Douglas or Palm Cove, for a few days, then a day's trip/or overnight at Cooktown, then back down to Undurra, then down the inland highway to Charters Tower, then across to Townsville, with a visit to Magnetic Island (another island we haven't visited), then north to Cardwell for 2 nights & day trip out to Hinchinbrook Island/or fishing trip, then to Kurramine Beach for a night, then back to Cairns.
RACQ gave me lots of glossy brochures, but not a real lot on places to stay up your way.
I hope our Minister is not releasing croc's with satellite tracking devices attached in your region. Didn't go down to well on Magnetic Island I see.

pat_woolford

Hi trop, good to hear you're travelling north.

Yes, inland road to Cooktown is fully sealead all weather road now, easy drive. You would need a 4WD if taking Bloomfield Track from Cape Tribulation to Cooktown.

I definitely think Undara Lava Tubes are worth a visit, you can overnight in renovated railway cottages, or far more economically, fixed tents with raised timber floors, bedding is available from Undara at about $7 pp. Have stayed in one of these and they're quite comfortable. A restaurant on site and bbq facilities are available, as well as a small pool. Gulf Savannah guides take you through the lava tubes, book these at Undara's office on site.

Do allow yourself some time for Atherton Tableland on your way to Undara.

Fitzroy Island is a continental island, not a coral cay such as Green Island, but does have some fringing coral. Nice beaches (and kayaking) walk up to lighthouse, at the moment they're completing construction of a new resort, which should be well and truly finished by June/July.

Just about anywhere in Palm Cove is near its Esplanade for beach and restaurants, its much smaller than Port Douglas and less developed. But will leave recommendations here to someone else, living so close I rarely have a need to overnight at either.

I've been on the inland road to Charters Towers (via Greenvale) - this was just after a cyclone and Bruce Hwy was cut with floods around Townsville (again!), interesting trip and tons of wildlife at that time.

Also like Magnetic Island, but vehicular ferry is expensive, we leave car at security parking near passenger ferry in Townsville - there's a good little bus service on island which will get you around fine.

Hinchinbrook Island - great choice, you can't miss with this one.

Did you hear that very large crocodile which had been relocated from somewhere up on the Cape died the day after re-capture? Guess it was trying to make its way back home, apparently ingestion of plastic bags proved too much.

SnR

You didn't ask anyone else, but since Pat didn't give advice on Port Douglas I thought I'd chime in here with a recc for Le Cher du Monde. It's on Macrossan St. and easy walking distance to everywhere, has a nice pool (but not on the ocean). We were there in Oct. 2007 and paid $135/nt AUD. Large room with kitchenette and AC. No elevator. Pat told us to stay at Sovereign Resort in Cooktown and she was sooooo right. GREAT pool and convenient. Pricey compared to the smaller places, but the rooms are very nice and the restaurant fantastic. The green ants are so trained that although they are all over the balcony, they don't come in the room. At least ours didn't. You might consider going to Chilagoe west of Cairns.
Caves and outback and the greatest guide, Gary at Chilagoe Cabins (another recc by Pat.) BTW, while in Cooktown, the Guurrbi tour by Willie Gordon of Aboriginal art and lifestyle is excellent. Bookings at his website and pickup at the Sovereign. I imagine you could book via the Sovereign, also. Have fun!
Sally in Seattle

LizzyF

Trop - you obviously didn't read my post following my trip to Cairns and surrounds last week. Read my trip report on Daintree Wild. I am sure you would love it.

tropo

Thanks Pat, made a note of your recommendations, and yes I did hear the croc ate plastic bags which probably lead to its death.
SNR, thank you also, have noted your recommendations.
LizzyF - sorry I didn't scan some of the other previous postings, I will do so after this reply, and print it out.
Thanks again everyone. I probably wont be able to reply again to this posting, as my wife & I head off very soon to Brisbane, then fly to Mackay, & out to Brampton Island, it where we had our honeymoon 40 yrs ago. I've seen photos of the accommodation on Brampton Island, and of course, its much upmarket to what we stayed in, concrete block buildings, glass louvre windows, no air conditioning. In fact Bob & Dolly Dyer owned a building close to the accommodation back then, and Roylen Cruises I think owned Brampton Island.
We are looking forward to a trip to Nth Qld next year.