13 days in FNQ
 

I'm reading all the other posts about people's plans for Australia trips and now I'm wondering if I've scheduled too much time in one area. However, we are a family traveling with two kids (12 and 8) and they love to splash around the hotel pool and I like to see an area well rather than jump from spot to spot. Here's the itinerary for the board's review:

Day 1 2 p.m. Arrive from California - at Port Douglas Sheraton Mirage - relax by pool and decompress

Day 2 Go to Crocodile Adventure Park (Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas)

Day 3 Hire Naturalist - Tablelands Tour (Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas)

Day 4 Uncle Brian's Road Trip? (saw this on the Cairns site - looked like a fun day trip - waterfalls and such) (Sheraton Port Douglas)

Day 5 - Naturalist - Daintree/Port Tribulation (Sheraton Port Douglas)

Day 6 - Kuranda Sky Rail and Pet a Koala (high on the kid's list) check into Crocodylus Village - youth hostel in Daintree (for a change of pace)

Day 7 - Walk around Daintree jungle (Crocodylus)

Day 8 - leave early and drive to Lava Tubes
(overnight at Lava Tubes)

Day 9 - 12 - Drive back to Cairns - board Reef Endeavor for 4 nights on the GBR

Day 13 - hang out in Cairns - stay at hotel near airport

Day 14 - 5:30 a.m. flight back home.

Not sure I'd do exactly the same things, but what I can say is: no, 13 days is not too much time for FNQ. I think you're making a wise decision. It's a gorgeous part of the world and there's so much to see. Personnally, I'd be tempted to do more on my own. Also when we went to Undarra, we had intended on staying just one night. But we ended up doing the full day tour (a real blast) and spending a second night. Worth considering.

Thanks Ralph for the feedback. We're doing and staying at places we probably wouldn't do if we didn't have the kids along. Admittedly some of the stuff is a little kitchy, but secretly we'll probably enjoy it as much as the kids. Do you think the full day tour of the lava tubes would hold the interest of the kids?

hi dlewis, 13 days in FNQ is not too long, in fact its very sensible. However, I would tweak your itinerary a bit, geographically you're a bit all over the place.

From Port Douglas you are handy to Hartley's Croc Adventure Park (don't miss Rainforest Habitat which is nearer Port Douglas either), Cape Tribulation, Crocodylus in Daintree (you could check with Crocodylus about their sea-kaying trip to Snapper Island). I think its wise to take guided trip for Daintree, you'll learn so much more than doing it on your own.

The Atherton Tableland is very doable as a self-drive and you must pass through it on way to Undara Lava Tubes (Crocodylus to Undara is really too long a drive in one day). There's some lovely accommodation on tablelands - rural retreats, B&B's, farmstays, etc - see www.bnbnq.com.au and look under Tropical Tablelands. If you're especially interested in Tableland wild life, night spotting tours are available. You could easily spend a few days in Tableland alone, there is so much to see and do. The Pond Cottage at Ravenshoe makes a good overnight break on way to Undara - easy to spot onsite platypus - its about 2 hours from Cairns and a further 2 on to Undara.

After the long drive back to Cairns from Undara you won't feel like doing much, so I'd come back a day earlier to give time for Kuranda Train/Skyrail and maybe Tjakupai Aboriginal Cultural Park - very accessible from Cairns or its northern beaches (Palm Cove etc).

By the way, what time of year will you be coming?

Thanks - Pat good suggestions. I'll have to rethink a few things. We're going to be in Australia beginning August 14 - which is why were staying in the northern part of the country.

I can stay free at the Sheraton which is why I booked it for 5 nights. Hiring a naturalist for 2 days and other assorted excursions really runs the meter so it helps that the hotel is free. Otherwise I probably would have spent more nights in the tableland area. You're right that will be quite a drive from Daintree to Undara (about 6 hours) - I thought if we started early it would help. Alternatively I guess I could spend one night at Crocodylus and then two nights at Tablelands/Undara. It just seemed appealing staying in the tents in the middle of the Daintree rainforest - small bit of adventure after the confines of the Sheraton. Also a bit locked in because of the dates when the Reef Endeavor leaves.

I'm going to noodle around some of your suggestions and rethink this. Thank you very much!

Hi dlewis,

everyone's given you great information, especially Pat, our expert in this neck of the woods, but the only thing I'll add is that there are a number of hotels in Cairns that have a free shuttle to the airport, so you don't really have to "stay" at the airport.

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

That's true, Melodie, Cairns is only a small city and there's no "airport" hotel anyway. Everything in town is only about 5km (less than 10 minutes from airport)- even the most northern suburban beach of Palm Cove is only about 25 mins, max. and an hour at the most to Port Douglas. The largest city in NQ is Townsville, however this may change as latest birth statistics show that Cairns is producing more babies per capita than anywhere else in the state of Queensland. Not saying that Cairns' couples are more fertile than others, just that its low unemployment rate,reasonably priced housing (in some areas anyway)and easy lifestyle are attracting young couples from other parts of the country.