manualpt

We will be staying in Port Douglas (Sheraton) for six days next week. Including myself are my wife are our two sons, 20 and 16. I am planning on getting a rental car. I have searched Fodors for travel suggestions and have come up with a few ideas but I am not sure about time/ travel schedules. We are planning day trips out of PD, at this point my planned day trips include:

1) Mossman Gorge/ Daintree/ Cape tribulation- is this doable in one- day. Is a tour adviseable (Treknorth, Tony's tropical).
Lunch at Silky Oakes? Crocodylus- sea kayaking?

2) Kuranda Village- scenic train/ skyrail. Is the scenic train too boring for older boys?

3) Snorkel trip on GBR- poseidon, wavelength or calypso- all have been recommended.

4) Possible lizard island day tour with Daintree air- not sure it's alot of money.

5) Considering a visit to the Atherton tablelands. Is this too far for a day trip. Will my sons be bored?

In Port Douglas- outdoor cinema in the park, Sunday market.

Possibly spend a day realxing on the beach and kite boarding.

Anyone have any specific suggestions regarding itinerary, places to visit or eat?

SnRSeattle

Nice choice, IMHO, to stay in Port Douglas. RE the Daintree--I think it advisable to have a tour. We drove ourselves and didn't see much, the tours (see below for several discussions on which to take) take you to private places and they know where the animals hang out. RE Kuranda--see the tours there for hikes www.cairnswildernesswalks.com (there may be an .au at the end) for something more adventurous than the shopping stalls. The train is interesting to any age, but you can drive there in less time and for lots less money. RE the flight to Lizard with Daintree--it is really awesome and the best snorkeling ever, but paying for 4 is pretty steep. Can Greg give you a discount for 4? You could drive to Kuranda and apply that money to the Lizard trip! See the Tablelands with Alan with www.alanswildlifetours.com.au He can take you (in your car so it isn't that expensive) all or half day to good sites and explain the wildlife. He also has a night tour if you want to drive yourselves to the waterfalls, etc. and then go night wildlife spotting with his tour. Have fun--it's a great place. We can't wait to go back!
Sally in Seattle

Masha1

Go to Lizard Island! It was the high spot of our last trip. The boys will love it. Try the discount for 4.
We also went on Tony's tropical tours into rainforest. Fantastic. The guides are so knowledgeable and it's tremendous value for money. Swimming included at various water holes.
Kuranda, IMHO, was a bit boring! Too touristy for me. I enjoyed the trainride back down - very scenic.
When in PD go to restaurant called On the Inlet - watch sun go down - magic!
Enjoy your trip.

pat_woolford

1) Mossman Gorge/Cape Trib; you'll learn more about this ancient rainforest with a guide; but easy enough to self-drive as road sealed all the way to Cape Tribulation.

Silky Oaks always nice for lunch; could combine it with Aboriginal walk with Kuku-Yalanji people at nearby Mossman Gorge.

Sea kayaking around Snapper Island should be a hit with your sons; Crocodylus can help you here.

2) Nice rainforest walks out of Kuranda; you don't have to spend all your time in the village - check with Visitors Info centre in Kuranda (opposite Butterfly Sanctuary) for walking track maps. If you've time you could combine Kuranda Train/Skyrail with Tjakupai Aboriginal park which is next to Skyrail station at Caravonica (Cairns end).

Just north of Skyrail at Smithfield is an AJ Hackett Bungy Jump tower and near the Skyrail bottom terminal is a cable ski park - both popular with teenagers.

3) All good recco's for snorkel trip - Wavelength is snorkel only so no opportunity for introductory dive.

4) Lizard Island - definitely, if it doesn't break the budget.

5) see Sally's suggestion for nocturnal wildlife spotting with Alan, after a day at Tablelands. You'd meet him in the lovely little Tableland town of Yungaburra which is worth a visit in its own right. A bit of a drive back to PD at night, but worth it.

longhorn55

Skip the train to Kuranda. Your sons will be totally bored. The Skyrail is much more interesting and you can take it both ways if you don't want to drive to Kuranda.
I'm a Wavelength fan for snorkeling (gone out with them 5 times).

Mitch04

I second On the Inlet at sunset.

The Nautilaus Restaurant is hugely overpriced and overrated...but...it's still a memorable experience to dine there. Young Billy Clinton has eaten there several times.

Wavelength is the best boat if you only wish to snorkel. The others also take out SCUBA divers, and they tend to get first preference.

You can hire a funny sorta flat-bottomed boat (bit like a floating platform) at the inlet area complete with BBQ, and cruise up the inlet during the afternoon if you like...you'll generally see crocs there.

Cooper Creek is a good place to do a crocodile cruise...if for no other reason that the hilarious guy who runs it (he is very funny..though he never tries to be).

And do a check with the yacht club. They used to take people out on deep keelers for about 2 hours around sunset and it was free of charge.....apart from buying a couple of drinks in the club for the skipper when you get back to the club.

The Port Douglas Combined Clubs (near On the Inlet) is a good place to slum it with locals. Cheapest restaurant food in Port Douglas, but with one of the best outlooks (mind you, the meals are basic but hearty).