I am planning a 3 week trip to Australia late July into mid August. Hope to do the three traditional areas of Sydney and surrounds for about 6-7 days, 3 days in Ayers rock and the rest split between the rainforest and the reef. Would value accomodation suggestions. Want to mix some luxury and some less expensive options. Thought I would leave luxury to reef and rainforest. Have considered Kewara, Thala or Sebel reef, but really welcome suggestions. In the rainforest which is better coconut, Eco lodge, bloomfields or silky. There is a huge difference in price; which offers the best experience and value? I'm celebrating my 50th so I want something to remember. Any suggestions for Sydney and surrounding area. We don't mind driving.

Smarties,
I just got back from a 2+ week jaunt to Oz and loved it. As for luxury accomodations in the reef and rainforest, I cannot recommend Lizard Island and Silky Oaks enough. My girlfriend and I spent 4 nights at Lizard and 2 at Silky. The food and service are exceptional and the accomodations are tremendous (the views at Lizard are breathtaking). There are also guided snorkeling/diving trips through the reef and walks and tours through the rainforest and the surrounding area. Silky also operates a shuttle to Port Douglas if you want to spend the day and check out a cool little town (I highly recommend brunch at Soul N' Pepper in PD). These resorts are pretty high end and pricey, but if you are looking for an unforgettable place then they fit the bill perfectly. Also, Voyages owns both resorts so you can check with them for discount deals if you want to spend time at both resorts. Several other people that we met there had done that if they had some flexibility on timing/length of stay. I'm jealous, now I want to go back! I am suffering Oz withdrawal. My first time there and I can't wait to return.

johnnyriles,
Thanks very much for your reply. I would love to go to Lizard, but is just too pricy with the other things I hve planned. Thanks for the info on Silky which looks like a good option. Is it as good as Peppers Bloomfield or just different?

Had hoped someone might be able to offer some advise.

Be patient Smarties we have only just all woken up!

smarties, this is outside the scope of what little expertise I have, but as a suggestion, while waiting for some feedback, run a few searches on this forum - you're bound to come up with some useful advice, especially for Sydney.

ttt
I don't know where the area experts have gone smarties but Neil is right about doing a search on this forum. Alan, who is one of the Sydney experts has computer problems and Pat, one of the Cairns and surrounds experts is probably still unpacking from her own trip.
Keep putting this out there and you will get replies
Good luck

Try Trip advisor and start with the Sydney area there which is
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum...uth_Wales.html

I find it hard to get around that forum but you may find what you are looking for in amongst the posts there.

This is really quite difficult to answer, you'll get replies from people who've stayed in one or maybe two of the places you mentioned, but not all. Someone will rave about Silky Oaks, someone else mightn't. Etc. It really depends on what appeals to you. For what its worth, from the resorts you mentioned, my personal preference is Peppers Bloomfield Wilderness Lodge - but it is more remote than than the other Daintree destinations, and some would say they are already remote enough. There are other Daintree alternatives, look at www.bnbnq.com.au under the heading "north". Here you'll find locals with a wealth of information at various accommodations at fraction of the price.

Pat,

Many thanks for your reply. I too think I prefer Bloomfields, The remoteness particularly appeals. Also thanks for alternative website.

Sorry Neil, if it I seemed impatient, I'd completely forgotton the time difference.

Liz, I agree trip advisor is ok but sometimes alittle difficly to get around.

smarties, when I was in the Cairns area Pat was telling me about a man who has a fantastic wild-life place up in the Daintree. I have asked Pat to give a run down of it for everyone on this forum so that you all can benefit from getting in early to see this place. Apparently it has some of Australia's most endangered birds, beautiful little Sugar Gliders ( my absolute favourite animal) and many, many other wonderful creatures.
I cannot talk about the place as I have not been there but I most certainly would have gone had I known about it the last time as I believe that it is really a special place. Hopefully Pat will see this and write something here for you all or even a seperate posting so that it will catch the eye of others who are going to be up that way.