My husband, myself and our two daughters(16&20) will be in OZ in August and are thinking of staying in GBR for 5-6 nights. I would like to know which one of the islands you recommend for these two young people.
The only island that is beyond our reach is the Lizard Island.
Thank You.

Hi adeleh - Bedarra (off Mission Beach)is beautiful but it's getting up towards Lizard costwise, nearby Dunk is more affordable. Your girls would probably like Fitzroy (off Cairns) but you may not - plenty of social life for the young as the backpackers flock there - accommodation is fairly basic but OK. Hinchinbrook (a couple hours south of Cairns) now has a small resort - it's a spectacular island which I've never seen mentioned on these postings - you can often see dugong in the Hinchinbrook channel between Cardwell and the island itself.

Pat: I have mentioned Hinchinbrook Island time and time again on this forum and plugged it to death but because it is not supported by big P&O advertising I guess o/s people don't hear much about it and my rantings go un-noticed. Of all the islands near Cairns Hinchinbrook would be my choice for a peaceful stay because it is so diverse and quiet.

Hi again Janese - have missed your comments on Hinchinbrook - only discovered this forum fairly recently. Agree with you again - it's a shame that the same old places/trips with huge marketing/advertising budgets turn up all the time when there are so many gems which go unnoticed. Cheers

I have to agree, Pat. The Daintree Village area suffers much the same! Because we don't have the "big money" resources of places such as Port Douglas we tend to be pretty much ignored in all the major area advertising. I am certainly not saying anything against nearby Port Douglas, which is a lovely, vibrant, resort destination, it's just that quiet little Daintree Village has something very different to offer! (www.daintreevillage.asn.au)

Daff is right on the ball with Daintree Village try also: http://home.austarnet.com.au/101ways a non-profit web site for Daintree travellers that gives great savings and loaded with tourist information. Also access to GBR.