pb_and_j

I thought I had 8 days in FNQ and here was my itinerary:

Day 1 - fly in from Sydney, check into Mossman B&B
Day 2 - Wavelength snorkel
Day 3 - Mossman gorge, Daintree spa
Day 4 drive to Tablelands, see Mareeba wetlands, other sites, one night at B&B
Day 5 - drive to Undara, overnight in train cars, take tour
Day 6 - drive back to Cairns, breaking up the trip with a few hours near the crater lakes, check into B&B (maybe Pat's)
Day 7 - Lizard Island day tour
Day 8 - Kuranda
Day 9 - fly back to US.

It turns out I booked one of my flights wrong, so I've got a bonus day in here. Where is it best spent? We're a couple in our upper 20s, like scenery, hiking, nature, some adventure.

Is that extra better spent:
a) extra day at Mossman, exploring the Daintree (maybe on a guided hike?)
b) extra day at Mossman, on Cape Trib tour?
c) extra day on Tablelands, more time for sights and a nighttime animal viewing tour.
d) extra day at Undara - time for the full day tour

Thank you!
pb&j

wlzmatilida

Hi PB& J (and I still love that name)!

ok, at the risk of sounding radical....looking at your itinerary, here's an idea...how about just chilling out on a nice beach and relaxing? You've got a pretty busy schedule there! If that doesn't appeal to you, I'd go for the extra time in the Tablelands.

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

pb_and_j

I think my definition of relaxing is way different than other's... Mine is laying in a hammock or sitting on a park bench for a while, but not all day. I think relaxing is having a nice liesurely breakfast, but that still gives you the whole day free.

We're not beach people, other than taking a stroll along it or going in the water. Again, I think of a long walk along the shore as relaxing while others consider that a big activity.

I've just found while traveling that it's best for me to plan a LOT and then as the day unfolds, if things get skipped no big deal, but we're never stuck wondering what to do next. It works for us!

marg

I'm assuming you will have a car so here's my suggestion for your extra day. Drive south of Cairns. Stop first at The Boulders (turn off at Babinda) - very nice spot with walks and much nicer than Mossman Gorge and less people. From there, head south again and visit Josephine Falls.
Further south again to visit Paronella Park - very interesting place - make sure you take the tour to hear the history of the park. I think their website is www.paronellapark.com.au
This should fit easily into a day trip from Cairns.

pat_woolford

Agree with you Marg, the wet tropics area south of Cairns is incredibly under-rated which is a shame. I was at Babinda boulders about 6 weeks ago, unfortunately the walking track after the main swimming hole was sealed at the bridge, due to people who had been doing silly things. Same thing happened at Josephine Falls, but believe walking tracks are now re-opened. Mossman Gorge is lovely, but its over-visited. Much closer to Cairns, is Crystal Cascades, Mossman Gorge, without the multitudes. There is no bus service and no tourists, so one would need a car. For those without a car the southern Tableland and Paronella Park can be visited with www.wildernessecosafaris.com

pb_and_j

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have to do some research on that area!