Yaan

Hi I'm going to Cairns with my bf in October, just wondering if I should hire car when I arrive or book in advance through the website, which will be more cost effective? Any suggestion welcome
And I got lot of useful information here, thanks a lot everyone!

pat_woolford

Yaan, if you're taking a reef trip, or Kuranda Train/Skyrail trip you won't need a car for those days
as you'll be picked up at your accommodation or nearby.

A good local company is Sugarland Car Rentals, they'll bring car to your accommodation at no extra charge, which can save the bother and cost of picking a car up in CBD or airport.

Yaan

Thanks pat, but we are going to stay in a nutmeg grove near crystal cascade which we need to drive there..and we'll arrive in very early morning at 4:30am (!!), that's why we will probably hire car..

pat_woolford

Hi Yaan - thought you were staying in Cairns city. Nutmeg Grove, near Crystal Cascades, is gorgeous, yes, you certainly do need a car. At that hour you'd be best renting one from airport.

pat_woolford

Meant to add that Ingrid and Terry at Nutmeg Grove would be the best to answer your question as to which would be more cost effective.

Yaan

Pat, thanks a lot, we really look forward to the vacation

GoneTroppo

Thanks Pat, I have responded to our clients via email.
Catch up with you sometime. Cheers.

JamesA

I used delta but I think they have been taken over. Driving around Cairs was a dream, really enjoyed it, popping in to the beaches along the coast north, Yorkies etc, the drive up to Port Douglas was busy as the road winds around a lot, I agree to go to Kuranda the train is best, I did it by car and it was quite a strain and you loose the chance to relax and 'view' as you need to concentrate on your driving.
I would say for a day or so to see the beaches to the north worthwhile, Pat can tell you about a Kangaroo place along the road north and to visit 'there' it was indeed easy having the car as we did the Tukpata(I can never spell it ) the same day.