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-   -   CAIRNS INFORMATION SOUGHT (https://www.fodors.com/community/australia-and-the-pacific/cairns-information-sought-163219/)

HOWARD Feb 20th, 2002 02:41 PM

CAIRNS INFORMATION SOUGHT
 
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING <BR>PUBLIC TRAVEL BETWEEN CAIRNS AND PORT DOUGLAS.WOULD LIKE TO VISIT PD FOR A DAY.<BR>ARE THERE BUSES AVAILABLE? IF NOT IS RENTING A CAR A VIABLE IDEA OR AS LAST ALTERNATIVE A TAXI.

kathleen Feb 20th, 2002 04:04 PM

but the lonely planet book on australia. they have info on that route. we are in the process of planning a similar trip and have found the lonely planet book to be very informative. we will probably rent a car, but tours are available too.

kathleen Feb 20th, 2002 04:05 PM

buy the lonely planet book on australia. they have info on that route. we are in the process of planning a similar trip and have found the lonely planet book to be very informative. we will probably rent a car, but tours are available too.

Aussie Feb 20th, 2002 06:29 PM

You can rent a car, but the best thing would be to catch a tour 'Daintree Explorer, Tour Code d2. which will take you to Mossman Gorge, The Daintree & Port Douglas. Look under<BR>www.treknorth.com.au/daintree_explorer.htm<BR>Good Luck & enjoy

lcuy Feb 20th, 2002 09:10 PM

There is a bus between the two towns. Car rentals were about 50 Aus dollars per day last June. Driving was fairly easy despite it being left side (we're american). The road from Cairns to PD has very few cross streets as they use huge roundabouts. Just be sure to have your passenger be an active navigator ("keep to the left!")

marg Feb 20th, 2002 09:36 PM

If you feel confident about driving on the left side of the road (not difficult really), hire a car as it will give you the ability to stop and look whenever you want. It is only about 40 minutes from Cairns to Port Douglas. Have a look at Palm Cove, Ellis Beach and Mossman Gorge on the way. You could also take the ferry across the Daintree River (don't go swimming - it's believed that a man has been taken by a crocodile this week), and drive to Cape Tribulation. <BR>There is a good market at Port Douglas on Sundays.<BR>

stephie Feb 20th, 2002 09:48 PM

I'm pretty sure there is a bus trip you can get on (there are many backpackers in Cairns and they rely on bus transport) that being said, I would seriously look into the rent a car because Port Douglas although nice isn't excactly a 'day long destination' in itself. It is the area north of PD that is really interesting.I would not recommond a tour to cape trib....too rushed. Self-drive is much better. You can stop where you want, when you want. I hated the fact that the tour bus stopped at some nowhere place @ the side of the road for a hour long smoke/lunch break and we only got to spend 20 minutes at cape trib.

Kay Feb 21st, 2002 05:40 PM

Howard,<BR>there is a public bus that takes about an hour - Coral Coaches I think is the name. It will drop you in the main street of Port Douglas where you can look in the shops, go to a restaurant or cafe and wander to one end of the main street to Four Mile Beach, to the other end is the Marina where the trips to the Great Barrier Reef leave from.<BR>If you feel comfortable driving, I'd also recommend that, as you have more freedom to stop where you like. Palm Cove is lovely though very small.<BR>Kay


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