I am looking for a recommendation for a apartment/home rental for 1 1/2 weeks in mid December in Cairns. Family of seven.

captainmoroni, suggest you check out the Grosvenor - the apartments are bright and spacious, and equipped with all mod cons including individual kitchen and laundry facilities. Most importantly the hosts, Graham and Sue Yeoman, work damn hard at ensuring their guests leave with a warm inner glow. The website is www.grosvenorcairns.com.au.

Hi captainmoroni,
Have you considered the Beaches North of Cairns?
There are plenty of postings about Port douglas and Palm Cove on this forum.
You may wish to consider these areas too.


Muck

For a family of 7 (assume some of them at least are young) I'd be sticking to Cairns rather than PC or PD - both beaches will not be swimmable as December is the middle of the box jelly fish season. There's a free, stinger-proof swimming lagoon right in the middle of Cairns city, with hot showers and bbq.facilites. There's a far greater variety of reasonably priced eateries in Cairns and if you get a wet day you can at least go to the movies, museum, art gallery or even the casino. Lots more of appealing night life for the young, too.

There's a lot of choice in Cairns, I often stay at Coral Cay, very friendly staff and good value, only downer is very small pool. Along Lake Street which is easy walking distance into town there are plenty, sure others will chip-in with ideas. I stayed another place that had a larger pool, I'll dig-out the name later.