April Port Douglas & Melbourne
#1
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April Port Douglas & Melbourne
We are off for 1 week in Port Douglas and then to Melbourne for a week. Is it still box jellyfish season? Our son is 8, so we wanted top choices of trips that he would enjoy too. What are your top 3 for each place? For snorkelling, would you recommend a large boat-quicksilver type or the smaller ones? Thanks! Jeanette
#2
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Yes it will still be box jellyfish season in the north. However, they don't affect the Reef - they're only found on shore. Also, Port Douglas has a protected swimming enclosure at the beach. Some good choices when you are there are day trips north - including Mossamn Gorge, Daintree River and Cape Tribulation or south-west to the Atherton tableland. You can get organised tours or drive yourself (there are several rental car places in Port Dougls). Also worth a look are the Rainforest Habitat (animal park) just outside Port Douglas and the Crocodile farm about 30 kms south on the main highway to Cairns. <BR>Quisilver are the only really large operator from Port Douglas. I think they're too big and impersonal. They're also quite pricey and they spend less time on the Reef than some others and don't offer different sites. Some good medium sized operators include Poseidon and Haba Dive. They only carry about 40 people but have fast boats. www.poseidon-cruises.com.au and www.habadive.com.au
#5
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Adding to the others: definately Poseiden over Quicksilver for personal touch and better dive sites. Other things: Mossman Gorge is a great drive and check out Silky Oaks resort for tea or a drink. Daintree river--we used Far North Cruises, booked it from the concierge, hysterical trip (we really didnt know what to expect but were very surprised when we pulled up and here was an older gentlemen who looked like a cross between Crocodile dundee and the old fisherman of the sea). The boat is a small 14-16 foot skiff but what a couple of hours. Very informative and funny, saw Pythons, crocodiles, flying bats, owls, etc. Great experience for I think $15-20 American.
#6
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Here are some suggestions for your visit to Melbourne. Our Zoo is really nice and easily accessible from the central city by tram. If you like markets, the Queen Victoria Market on Saturday or Sunday (some weekdays too)is good as is the craft market on the St Kilda Esplanade on Sunday. <BR>If you are hiring a car, the Healesville Sanctuary is about a hour's drive from the CBD and specialises in showing native animals and birds. If you like wine, the drive to Healesville takes you through the Yarra Valley wine district so you can do some sampling along the way. <BR>There is a very pleasant area beside the river in the city with lots of eating places - you can take a boat ride from here along the river - very pleasant on a nice day. <BR>You can get a boat across the bay to Scienceworks - good spot to take a child. <BR>The gardens in Melbourne are very nice try the Fitzroy Gardens or the Botanical Gardens - both easy walking from the central city. Incidentally there is a free tram (City Circle - brown trams) around the central city area - get on and off as you please. <BR>Hope you enjoy your stay.