We have three nights and can't decide between the two. I had made up my mind to spend 3 nights at Cape Trib with two days in the rainforest and a one day snorkeling trip. But we would really like the opportunity to see the platypus and it seems like the Atherton Tablelands would be the best option for that. Am I right if we choose Atherton, that we'd be too far from the reef to do a daytrip? We are going to Lizard Island for the next portion of the trip and I know that we'll have great snorkeling opportunities there, but we wanted to take an additional snorkeling trip. Which would you choose? Thanks for your advice!

If you are flying into Cairns I would suggest that you drive out to the Atherton tablelands and then up to Cape Trib and then keep your snorkelling till Lizard. Millia Millia falls are really nice as well as Youngaburra and some of the other little towns. Don't forget Mossman on your way up to Cape Trib

The countryside around Yungaburra, Malanda and south is really beautiful with some rainforest. The Wet tropics World heritage Rainforests are found along 450 kilometres from Cooktown to Townsville so plenty about, not just the Daintree. You may have to investigate so you can get a great rainforest experience since Cyclone Larry took a huge chunk of it recently.

So you can mix the experience by heading south and I think it is worthwhile considering over Cape Trib.

However, Atherton itself is nothing to rave about. Yungaburra is a lovely small town and you can walk down to the river to see the platypus in the morning or evening.

With 3 days you may then still have time to consider going to the outback. At Chillagoe we stayed at Chillagoe Cabins and I cannot rate it highly enough. You would need about 24 hours to enjoy it. The people who run it do animal welfare work so feeding a baby kangaroo (joey) is a possibility. They take you caving and have fun evenings around the pool. There is a sign on the tiny town proclaiming 560km till next petrol! For accomodation, breakfast, dinner and tours it ran about $300. Not luxury but very nice and comfortable and a great experience.

Hi Tassietwister, we stayed at Chillagoe Cabins too, just a couple of weeks ago and loved it. $150 for three of us in a/c cabin and I think an extra $8 pp person for a cooked breakfast around the pool area. Birds and wildlife everywhere, but did you see the rabbits! Not supposed to be there, but they are. Gary takes tours for $20pp an hour and really knows his stuff. We arrived too late to order dinner at the Cabins, which was a bit stupid as were left with the Post Office pub, they were having a busy night and it took forever, but then out came the biggest steak I have ever seen.

Lauren, Chillagoe is a true outback town, totally different from Tablelands, which is far greener place. Tassietwister is perfectly correct in saying that the Wet Tropics rainforest areas extend northwards from Townsville to Cooktown, of which Daintree is just one part. And a very beautiful part it is, but a shame to miss other areas.

Yes, Tablelands are a bit too far for a reef trip on the same day, but as you're going to Lizard Island anyway that's no concern. check out some accommodation options there and for Daintree on www.bnbnq.com.au

Pat,

Chillagoe Cabins are a great option I believe. Even the bit of unsealed road, annoying as it is, adds to the feeling of being out there without really ging too far. Great experience. No, FANTASTIC experience.

I would recommend Mission Beach if I knew for sure the rainforest would be fairly well recovered by the time Lauren arives. If they stayed at Licuala they see rainforest and cassowaries, and possibly a snorkel tour, a walk through the forest at Clump Point world heritage rainforest (but currently closed due to cyclone damage). I am not sure sure of where the snorkel trips from Mission Beach go to, if it is actualy GBR or not though.

Then drive through the beautiful tablelands with some stops for the various falls then arrive for the evening at Yungaburra overnight for platypus and the curtain fig. Then if they still have a day left... a drive by Mareeba, stops at Coffee plantation and the Golden Drop and finish the day at Chillagoe. Cave tour and history tour with Gary in the morning then a quick swim before heading back to Cairns, probaby 2 hour drive?

Depends really if 3 nights and four days or 3 nights and 3 days. But it would be memorable to see cassowary, platypus, kangaroos, rainforest, reef and outback. More so than 3 days at Cape Trib, beautiful as it is. IMHO anyways.

Thanks so much everyone. I think it would be a great experience to get to see some of the outback on this trip. We originally planned on going to Ayers Rock but cut it out because of time constraints. I'm definitely going to look into these other options and will probably be back with more questions!

LAUREN,
It sounds like you are opting for a bit of the outback. If you miss out on the platypus in Yungaburra the Tarzalli Lakes is reopening on Dec. 1st this year and that is an a sure fire place during the day. Lake Barrine has a variety of large trees and many conifers which don't look like pine trees. The boat cruise there is well worth the $12. Nocturnal animals abound in Australia so be careful when driving at night in the country. A guide might be best to find them if that's what you're after. Best done out of Yungaburra. On the way out to Chillagoe, call in at Granite Gorge where they have habituated Mareeba Rock Wallabies. Very cute and can be hand fed.