We would like a hotel in Cairns within walking distance to town and beach waterfront as we will not have a car.Any recommendations?
How far away is Trinity beach Pacific?
Also which tour company for Kuranda and GBR?

Hi,
Depending on the standard of hotel you want. A great 5 star hotel is the Sofitel right in town. For 4 stars I would suggest the Radisson - again right in town or the Tradewinds, a nice 5 - 10 minute walk along the water or if you are a budget traveller, the Coral tree inn is great. About a 10 - 15 min walk from the harbour and man made beach area. Trinity beach is approx 15 minute drive from downtown Cairns and some suggestions for Kuranda tour companies are Down Under Tours, and the biggest company visiting the reef is Quicksilver.

Not sure if you are aware, but Cairns does not have a beach, it has mudflats with a grassy esplanade. Last time we were there it was not an area where people swim. The beaches are just north of Cairns. I believe they have just built a swimming lagoon/beach area near the Pier Marketplace (shops and restaurants) which I've heard is very nice. Palm Cove, half way between Cairns and Port Douglas, has a very nice beach.
We took Quicksilver out to the Great Barrier Reef and would go with them again, very well organised and heaps to do. Quicksilver leaves from Port Douglas, I think Ocean Spirit actually leaves from Cairns which would save quite a lot of time bussing up and back to PD.
Kay

Likewise we stayed in Palm Cove with lovely beaches, because there is n o beach in Cairns and believe most people stay here or in Port Douglas. Believe they have accommodations in all budget ranges.

We were able to do tours, prearranged from the States (thru Swain Australia, in Phila) where we were picked up direct from hotel. But your hotel should be able to arrange your tours.

Went to Kuranda (up by train/skyrail down; on day we did GBR, one of the boat (Poseidon) crew picked us up for drive to Port Douglas and returned us at end of day; on day we did Daintree/Cape Tribulation caught a Quicksilver boat at pier in Palm Cove that dropped us in PD, where we met our tour driver for the day - at end of day driver direct to our hotel.

Hi Travellers,
Have to agree, Cairns is really tacky and a little tired and has thousands of people.
It was to be our destination 18mths ago but someone talked us into staying further North. But some people prefer this busy kind of place.We had a week at Palm Cove it was fabulous we stayed at the Oasis at Palm cove, which is just set back from the beach, but there are plenty of places to stay as Sandi says in most budget ranges.Some open up on to the beach which is gorgeous.
Port Douglas is larger with more shops and restaurants and is another lovely place.
Palm cove is about 25 mins from Cairns by a great bus service so a visit to Cairns is easy, and Port D is about another 30 mins north by bus.The bus is really quite cheap too.
Hope you have fun deciding what you want to do, don't worry about not having no transport in this area the tours are available to most places and busses as I said are great.
Kuranda is easily reached, but we didn't enjoy the tour we found it quite restrictive, wished we had gone it alone, but that's just our opinion.
There is a good Zoo/wildlife park called wildworld (i think) on the main road bus stops there from PC to Cairns.

Good Luck
Muck