ksoriano

We've got a flight booked to Cairns for 7 May (returning 23 May) and I'm getting overwhelmed by the islands information and feel like a rabbit caught in the headlights. I thought we'd (my husband, 6 year old daughter and I) do 5 nights on one of the islands, then maybe two nights at Cape Tribulation, and then finish off the rest of time from a Port Douglas base with trips to Kuranda, Daintree, odd trip to the reef, etc - combined with lazing around a pool. Sadly I think I need a resort in Port for my 6 year old who's starved of youthful company after 3 months in Sydney with 2 oldies ... otherwise we'd try for Pat's place outside of Cairns!
Firstly Dunk or Hinchinbrook. The posts suggest the latter but is there really that much in it?
Secondly, do we need to stay overnight in Cape Trib or can we just as easily, and effectively, do day trips up from Port Douglas?
Finally, read very bad review for Mackays on Mission Beach - where I thought we might stay for one night prior to Dunk ferry (if we go that is). Do any of you have any experience of Mackays?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
K

pat_woolford

Hi ksoriano - have had mixed reports on Mackays, so it guess it depends on what you're after. Position is certainly excellent. I love Hinchinbrook but Dunk is probably better for 6yo with more likeliehood of finding other kids of that age. Remember you still need to travel some distance from Dunk (and Hinchinbrook for that matter) to reach the reef proper. The closest point to the reef from everywhere you've mentioned is Cape Tribulation,where its only about a 45min trip. You don't have to overnight in Cape Tribulation as its doable in a day from Port Douglas and even Cairns, but I really think its worth it. There's some great accommodation choices there other than resorts - have a look at www.bnbnq.com.au under "north". Another which came highly recommended just the other day has its own wildlife sanctuary - www.daintreewild.com.au Whilst this is a little south of Daintree River, its still that much closer to Cape Trib.

ksoriano

Pat - thanks so much for that. I knew you'd come up trumps. I've learnt so much from scanning your posts over the last few months.
K

Fish_Boy

Hey there !
Sounds like a fairly good plan you have there but I do understand the feeling of being swamped with info.

There is a massive difference between Dunk and Hitchinbrook. Dunk island is a small resort island within swimming distance of the coastline that caters for crowds of people who want a sandy beach with coconut trees, mini mountain with rain clouds and nice rainforest with 3 different types of swimming pools. There will be kids there.
Hinchinbrook is the largest island national park in the world with a strict pre-booking system for hikers who want the very best of remote awesome rainforest, beach, mountain... everything except other people. There is little more than a couple of wooden signs in terms of infrastructure.

You can stay overnight at CapeTrib and you would be certainly in the thick of the greatest rainforest in Australia.. but you dont have to as most tourists catch a day trip from Port Douglas or Cairns easily enough. There is everything up that way (in small amounts) from backpackers to resorts. Lets hope it doesnt get any more developed ! Amazing place to stay, well worth it.

Just a quick caveat to Pats comment about reef from Cape Trib...the 45 minute run is what Odyessy does from Cape Trip to the INNER reef - they dont typically go to the outer edge. Then again, once you get away from Cairns, the reef gets better and better as you head north so Cape Trib probably has reef near shore thats as good as reef off Cairns at the outer edge. The loading and unloading of people from the boat at Cape Trib is one of the most frightning experiences your likely to have, particularly at this time of year (howling winds) because there is no dock or jetty - they use a little boat, pitching inthe surf, to get people out to the mother ship. It can be great fun to watch with a pair of binoculars but I wouldnt want to do it again myself. Just a warning !

Good luck with it all.

pat_woolford

Yes, that's true - boats leaving from Cape Tribulation leave from beach, not wharf, as there isn't one. Wouldn't like to try it on a windy day either and hopefully this awful wind we're experiencing now will vanish by May for you, ksoriano.

ksoriano

Thanks to you both. I feel much better and much calmer now. Only thing to fret about now is whether I've left it too late to book!
K

Tassietwister

Cannot comment on Hinchinbrook as never been there.

As far as Mission beach goes I would choose to stay either Mission beach or Dunk island and do a day trip to one or the other. No real need to stay at both as Dunk is just a little ways offshore. Packing an dunpacking for one night will not be worth just taking another while to get the ferry. If you mish it maybe a water taxis from Wongaling Beach. Only 15 mins or so.

As you have child in tow I would select Dunk over Mission Beach.

Dunk is not a reef island but an island formed when the ocean cut some land away from the mainland. It is close to Orpheus Island and other little islands dotted around. So no snorkelling offshore, more little sail boats and some swimmimg. Also nice rainforest walks.

Louy

Hi Ksoriano
We stayed for 4 nights at the Hinchinbrook resort in a tree house. It was really special, but probably more caters for a romantic couple wanting a quiet getaway than a 6 year old, I think he might get restless. There is a lovely pool but only one child there when we went and she seemed a little lonely.
We never made it to Dunk so I can't compare.
enjoy your holiday

myaustralia

Hi,

I would not stay at Cape Trib as it is quite remote and there is not much around to do, especially for the kids. I would rather stay in Port Douglas, a small, nice town right on the famous 4-mile beach. You can stay at the Sheraton Mirage or in one of the many self-contained apartments. There is a nice place called BEACHES right on the beach. Town is also only a 5-minute walk from there.
All tours leave from Port Douglas and you get great trips to the reef and the rainforest.
For the reef I would recommend either to go to Low Isles or on the Quicksilver. If your daughter is happy being in the water all day and feels comfortable on teh water, you might want to try a smaller boat like Calypso or Poseidon. There is a great, even smaller boat - the Wavelength - taking only snorkellers, but you only want to book it if the weather is good, otherwise you are in for a rough trip. The bigger boats offer diving and snorkelling and are a little more stable. The safest option is the Quicksilver as the boat is huge (around 300-400 people) and they moore at a platform out on the reef. There you can do diving, snorkelling and see the reef from a glass bottom boat.
For the Daintree, you might want to look into a private charter. Yes, it might be a little more expensive, but you can create a great day around your interests and your daughter will have a great time too. The best tour for families is with Pete from Daintree-Specialised-Tours. You get a full day of fun, adventure, education and some of the best sites in the Daintree/Cape Trib area.
You can find more info on and links to tour operators on:
www.wonderfulaustralia.com/linkseng.html

Hope this will help!

PS: Dunk island is a not really suited for children. I am not sure if they even accept children. For your daugther it would be boring I guess.

pat_woolford

myaustralia - Dunk is a great place for kids, the resort has its own Kid's Club where kids can eat with each other if they like, giving the parents some peace. Maybe you're thinking of nearby Bedarra Island, which doesn't take kids?

ksoriano - I mentioned accommodation at Daintree Mangroves Wildlife Sanctuary as it has a comprehensive display of native cockatoos, parrots, finches as well as kangaroos, gliders, emus, cassowaries, dingoes, etc on site, which would imagine would be most appealing for 6yo, as well as adults, and they do have a family room. You would need to book for this, probably now, as I know they're full next week.