green island
Sep 15th, 2005 | 08:15 PM
#22
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 0
Sabbin - for ATV its at Blazing Saddles (they also provide horseriding) near Palm Cove - http://www.blazingsaddles.com.au/atv...eridetour.html - shouldn't need to book ahead but do call them first.
Uncle Brians website is being revised and should be up and running in a weeks time. I don't have its website but if you do a search for Uncle Brian Cairns Queensland it will come up. Brian no longer runs it, it has been taken over by "On the Wallaby" but name will remain same. It would be a good idea to book this one a couple of days in advance, both this and Blazing Saddles have Cairns and northern beaches transfers.
Hope this helps!
Uncle Brians website is being revised and should be up and running in a weeks time. I don't have its website but if you do a search for Uncle Brian Cairns Queensland it will come up. Brian no longer runs it, it has been taken over by "On the Wallaby" but name will remain same. It would be a good idea to book this one a couple of days in advance, both this and Blazing Saddles have Cairns and northern beaches transfers.
Hope this helps!
Oct 27th, 2005 | 04:10 AM
#23
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Hi Pat
Thanks for all the valuable input - certainly seem to be the resident expert of the Cairns area.
My family ( wife and 2 daugters 6 and 10) will visit Cairns area from Dec. 25 to 30th)Actually 4 full days ( 26,27,28,29). We will be staying in Kewarra Beach resort near Palm Cove
Following is what we have planned
so far
Day 1: Kuranda Train/Skyrail and either Tjapukai Cultural show or Night Zoo
Is the night zoo worth it?
Can we or should we combine Kuranda and Rainforest trip on the same day/night.
Day 2: Boat trip :Island Beach + Snorkelling - Is Ocean Spirit to
Michaelmas Cay good enough - My wife 6 year old and wife can do the submersible while myself and the 10 year old can snorkell. Is diving better ?
Day 3: Rainforest self drives ? - Atherton Tablelands vs Daintree . What do you recommend for solid upclose wildlife viewing in the wildeness, Should we go on tours or rent a car and go around
Day 4: Hot Air ballooning? Outback , cattle stations ,
+ Tjapukai cultural show
Thanks for your input
Sai
Thanks for all the valuable input - certainly seem to be the resident expert of the Cairns area.
My family ( wife and 2 daugters 6 and 10) will visit Cairns area from Dec. 25 to 30th)Actually 4 full days ( 26,27,28,29). We will be staying in Kewarra Beach resort near Palm Cove
Following is what we have planned
so far
Day 1: Kuranda Train/Skyrail and either Tjapukai Cultural show or Night Zoo
Is the night zoo worth it?
Can we or should we combine Kuranda and Rainforest trip on the same day/night.
Day 2: Boat trip :Island Beach + Snorkelling - Is Ocean Spirit to
Michaelmas Cay good enough - My wife 6 year old and wife can do the submersible while myself and the 10 year old can snorkell. Is diving better ?
Day 3: Rainforest self drives ? - Atherton Tablelands vs Daintree . What do you recommend for solid upclose wildlife viewing in the wildeness, Should we go on tours or rent a car and go around
Day 4: Hot Air ballooning? Outback , cattle stations ,
+ Tjapukai cultural show
Thanks for your input
Sai
Oct 27th, 2005 | 11:38 PM
#24
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 0
Hi Sai
You can combine Kuranda Train/Skyrail and Tjakupai Aboriginal Park daytime event on the same trip. Easy as Tjakupai is right next to bottom Skyrail station. Tjakupai at Night (dinner and show) starts at about 7.30pm so would need to be done separately. I think your kids would love both Cairns Night Zoo and Tjakupai daytime show, where they'll be shown how to throw a boomerang, etc.
You've picked a great reef trip - you'll probably find your wife and 6yo will end up snorkelling, its very easy from sand cay and kids younger than 6 can cope easily. A snorkelling instructor crew member will be on hand if there's any worries - they're very accustomed to beginners. The marine biologist led semi-sub tour is worth doing for all of you. Introductory and certfied dives also available (am assuming you're not certified).
I really think for Daintree you're better off with a knowledgeable driver/guide - you don't have to concentrate on driving and you'll learn so much more. Trek North out of Cairns have such guides - www.treknorth.com.au - tour CTI. Also see Pete Baxendell at Heritage and Interpretive tours for personalised trips www.daintree-specialised-tours.com Do a search for Pete B here, he's had lots of recommendations.
The best daytime wildlife (birds and kangaroos) viewing I know is Mareeba Wetlands on Atherton Tableland - you will find most of our native animal (ie mammals/marsupials) are nocturnal - there are night-spotting trips available but don't get you back to your accommodation until around midnight which might be too much for the kids. Atherton Tableland is easily doable as self-drive. Granite Gorge, near Mareeba is home to rock wallabies which are awake in daylight and kids would enjoy.
Hot Air ballooning, once again from or near Mareeba on Tableland is well worth it - a very early pickup from your accommodation though at about 4.45am. One day is really not long enough to get to Outback and back - but the country around Mareeba Wetlands is very reminiscent of outback as its in a "rainshadow" where rainforest doesn't grow. There is still tropical highland rainforest on the Tableland, but much has been cleared for farming as the fertile volcanic soils grow just about everything.
You can combine Kuranda Train/Skyrail and Tjakupai Aboriginal Park daytime event on the same trip. Easy as Tjakupai is right next to bottom Skyrail station. Tjakupai at Night (dinner and show) starts at about 7.30pm so would need to be done separately. I think your kids would love both Cairns Night Zoo and Tjakupai daytime show, where they'll be shown how to throw a boomerang, etc.
You've picked a great reef trip - you'll probably find your wife and 6yo will end up snorkelling, its very easy from sand cay and kids younger than 6 can cope easily. A snorkelling instructor crew member will be on hand if there's any worries - they're very accustomed to beginners. The marine biologist led semi-sub tour is worth doing for all of you. Introductory and certfied dives also available (am assuming you're not certified).
I really think for Daintree you're better off with a knowledgeable driver/guide - you don't have to concentrate on driving and you'll learn so much more. Trek North out of Cairns have such guides - www.treknorth.com.au - tour CTI. Also see Pete Baxendell at Heritage and Interpretive tours for personalised trips www.daintree-specialised-tours.com Do a search for Pete B here, he's had lots of recommendations.
The best daytime wildlife (birds and kangaroos) viewing I know is Mareeba Wetlands on Atherton Tableland - you will find most of our native animal (ie mammals/marsupials) are nocturnal - there are night-spotting trips available but don't get you back to your accommodation until around midnight which might be too much for the kids. Atherton Tableland is easily doable as self-drive. Granite Gorge, near Mareeba is home to rock wallabies which are awake in daylight and kids would enjoy.
Hot Air ballooning, once again from or near Mareeba on Tableland is well worth it - a very early pickup from your accommodation though at about 4.45am. One day is really not long enough to get to Outback and back - but the country around Mareeba Wetlands is very reminiscent of outback as its in a "rainshadow" where rainforest doesn't grow. There is still tropical highland rainforest on the Tableland, but much has been cleared for farming as the fertile volcanic soils grow just about everything.
