Hello, We will be in Cairns from May 26th until June 6th for our honeymoon. We have already booked one hotel for the first week in Carirns and I was wondering where would be a good place (not too far away) to stay for the last week to be able to explore some different sights and not just stay at 1 location for the 2 weeks.
TIA
Carolyn

If you do a couple of tours from Cairns, say one hinterland/Atherton Tablelands and another Port Douglas/Daintree [really better to have more than just one day] that'll give you a couple of ideas including staying up in the Daintree/Cape Tribulation area.

A bit further afield heading south, you could drive down to Mission Beach way and have a few days on Dunk Island, take in a white water raft etc.

Or another option would be to fly Cairns to Hamilton Island to explore the Whitsundays - http://www.whitsundays.com.au/, www.hookislandresort.com as one spot, Hamilton itself being a bit ugly to some, me included - it's like a beautifu island has been brutalised but perhaps even fit in a few days sailing - http://ozadventuresailing.com.au/ and you can even hire small sailing boats for sailing yourself - no great skill required.
If you're from overseas or even if not it would be a great pity to come so far and not see Whitehaven Beach - http://images.google.com.au/images?h...5&ct=title and maybe even be deposited with camping gear on a secluded island beach for an overnight camp.

And then for something a bit further afield again and truly spectacular you could always fly to Brisbane and on to http://www.lordhoweisland.info/

A great time to be in north Queensland. Carolyn, I could give better advice if I knew what you and your partner are interested in.

Well we will be flying in From US-Ohio so would like to see as much as possible in the short time we will be there. We are interested in snorkeling, relaxing on beautiful beaches, seeing the outback & rainforest. Some of things I read that while staying in Cairns everything is close that you don't need a rental car but would you suggest otherwise? I thought maybe we wouldn't right away the first few days and see what it was like. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Carolyn,
"read that while staying in Cairns everything is close that you don't need a rental car but would you suggest otherwise? I thought maybe we wouldn't right away the first few days and see what it was like. Any help would be greatly appreciated!"

It's not so close like you can walk, other than to the port for GBR cruises or railway station for trip to Kuranda, and last part of walk up to Botanical Gardens is nice.

But essentially everything in Cairns is done via a tour where tour companies will pick you up at lodgings and it can be a bit of a trip about Cairns before you get going and then a good distance drive to places like either southern forests/Atherton Tableland, further south for WWR or up north past PD to the Daintree/Cape Tribulation.

There are a couple of trips outback a bit like to Chillagoe Caves or Undarra Lava tubes, the former possible in a day and the latter can be done in two/three days giving you a taste of Queensland outback.

And you can fly Cairns to Alice Springs and/or Ayers Rock [Uluru], about a three hour flight and $300+ + double that or more depending on when you book - www.webjet.com.au
The options/combinations are plentiful and spo really up to you, www.queenslandholidays.com.au will give you a wider idea of what's available in Queensland.

Carolyn,
Lots of good information from Bushranger. If you just want to do tours and do it out of Cairns it is possible. For me I like a bit more freedom and would hire a car. You could base yourself in a couple of different places west of Cairns. If going to Undara under your own steam it is possible to stay at Mt Surprise a lot more cheaply.

For an outback feel close to Cairns there is Wetherby Station http://www.wetherbystation.com/