We have to make a choice of 3 days in Cairns and 2 days in Darwin or vice versa. Does anyone have any recommendations? We are a couple in our 30s and like adventure and exploration. Feel free to suggest specific places, must see activities, places to eat and sleep (prefer hostels or B&B). THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP>>>> WE GREATLY APPRECIATE IT

Gosh, three days in Cairns and two days in Darwin really doesn't give you any time to do much. Depending on the time of the year, you may be better off just having five days in either place. Five days in Darwin will give you time to go to Kakadu and Litchfield and at a pinch, visit Katherine Gorge.<BR>Five days in Cairns gives you time to visit the reef, drive to Cape Tribulation, go to Kuranda and the Atherton Tableland and visit Port Douglas and Palm Cove.<BR>I'd really go for one or the other.

I have done this a few times Bear. It works well. Day 1. Depart Cairns at 0800 to fly low level along 300 kms of the Great Barrier Reef. Land at Lizard Island at 08.55 hrs. Spend the day snorkeling the famous clam garden and Trawler Beach as well as exploring several other beaches and reefs around Lizard. A swim in the Mangroves is always a rewarding experience as well. Lots of stuff in there most people would never ever get to see.<BR>Depart the Island at 1700 hrs to fly low level across Cooktown, the Black Mountains and the Endeavour Reef. You would then land in the middle of the rainforest in behind Cape tribulation at 17.40. A 4wd will be waiting when you land to take you to your lodge in the middle of the rainforest. There is a pristine stream running through the middle of the grounds of the small lodge.This is where you paddle and swim while waiting for your dinner to be prepared in the lodge restaurant, which over looks the stream. Probably no more than a half dozen other people around. As the sun sets over the rainforest all the nocturnal animals begin to appear. The generators are turned off at 2200 hrs and the sounds off the orange footed scrub fowls, the bush turkeys and the green tree frogs will seranade you to sleep in your private cabin. DAY 2. Wake up late, every one does here, it must be the fresh air, have a swim in the stream, enjoy a tropical breakfast, climb on board your air craft for a low level flight across the Daintree Rainforest, Port Douglas and out over Cape York to the Outback, land at a cattle station called how long about 70 mins after departing the rainforest. The station is one of the biggest on the Cape, round about as big as England. The station owner is there to meet you with his dusty 4wd, which is a bit of a contrast to the rainforest , he drives you through about 60 kms of his property to the place where you will sleep tonight in your private cabin. After lunch and some fossiking for gold nuggets we drive down to the gorge on the property where we find a small tin boat waiting to take you through the gorge. You will see crocodiles, kangaroos, Wallabies and lots of birds. After the cruise, one of the station workers have a big dinner prepared on the open fire under the stars. After a few beers and dinner you can sit out on your own in a place where there are no lights for hundreds of miles. The stars will amaze you in this part of Australia. DAY 3. Again this morning you have time for a great sleep in, you can then enjoy an other big breakfast before flying out over the Gulf Of Carpentaria on track for Booroloola.

part 2 Bear<BR> We stop at Booroloola for fuel and a bite to eat. There is not much of a choice for lunch, there is only one shop for around 500 miles. You will meet a couple of Aboriginals here and have a chance to purchase artifacts which were not made in china. If you are interested in seeing the real Australian outback, you just arrived. If you were any further out back than this place you would be coming around to the front again. After lunch we set course for Cooinda in the heart of Kakadu, once landed we climb on board the 4wd to take you to a boat for a cruise on the Yellow Waters. The sun set cruise on Yellow Waters is fabulous. After the cruise dinner will be served in the Cooinda restaurant.<BR>Over night in the Hotel close to the banks of the Yellow Waters. DAY 4 After brekfast you climb on board a 4wd to spend the day at Jim Jim and Twin falls at Kakadu. Once you return to the lodge, after your day at the falls, your air craft is waiting to fly you to Tindal Air Base. We land at Tindal, then drive to a wonderful little farm stay on the Katherine River. You have lots of time to clean up before an other dinner under the stars. During dinner you will see lots of kangaroos feeding in the paddocks of the farm stay. DAY 5. After an early breakfast you take a cruise through the gorges at Katherine. We are back at the gorge restaurant for lunch and after lunch we fly to Darwin. We arrive at Darwin and take a car to the Mary River to take a cruise along the river to see the wildlife. We stop off at the new interpretive centre along the way as well as the humpy and various other artifact shops. After the cruise we drive back to Darwin arriving in time to spend several hours at the markets before dinner at your hotel wich is 50m accross the road from the markets. You have seen the very best of the Great Barrier Reef, the Rainforest, the Out back, Cape york, the Gulf of Carpentaria, Arnhemland, Kakadu, hundreds of huge rivers, Cattle stations, you have panned for gold, talk with Aboriginals in their natural place, swam in rivers in the rainforest and photograghed places in Australia where even most Australians willl never get to go, you had sleep in's every day, some wonderful bush meals as well as some great out back restaurants. All in five days. For more info Bear e-mail me at [email protected]. <BR><BR>

Thank you both for your reply. Great stuff. LOVE THE DETAILS&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; Getting excited about the trip!! Haven't decided one or the other but will soon.

PETE - YOUR EMAIL IS NOT WORKING... PLEASE EMAIL US AT<BR><BR>[email protected] to discuss further.<BR><BR>THANK YOU