My husband and I are planning a 3 week trip to Australia in October and have everything almost decided except where to stay (near airports?) for quick stopovers in Cairns and Sydney. <BR> <BR>We will be staying in Sydney for 4 nights (Stamford Plaza Hotel), and then on to Ayer's Rock for 1 night, then to Cairns. We don't get into Cairns until 10:00 p.m. and would like to stay someplace convenient, as we get on a Coral Princess cruise early the next morning. We will be spending some time in Palm Cove (Sebel Reef), near Port Douglas (Silky Oaks), and on Lizard Island later in the trip, so we are just looking for a clean, convenient, and fairly nice place in Cairns to sleep between flight and cruise. Any suggestions? <BR> <BR>We have basically the same dilemma as we are leaving Australia. We will be flying out of Cairns and into Sydney, arriving near 11 p.m. Our flight the next day is at 1 p.m. We will have done our Sydney portion earlier in the trip, so it would be great to be somewhere different, and possibly closer to the airport (and since we only have 11 hours before checking back in!). On another thread, someone mentioned the Crown Plaza Coogee Beach. Does anyone have any advice on this one or any other suggestions? <BR> <BR>Thanks!

The Crowne Plaza at Coogee is probably a good choice. Its about 15 mins drive from the airport. It would be a good place to wake up to before a long flight, maybe anice walk along the coast before heading to the airport late morning.

Julie - <BR> <BR>The Radisson in Cairns (I'm pretty sure it is the Radisson at the Pier) is right near where the boats leave for the Reef cruises, and is a good place to stay. <BR> <BR>Can anyone else out there confirm if it is indeed the Radisson that is attached to the shopping mall??

We were in Cairns last month and I am fairly sure that the hotel on the pier is the Radisson. Its walking to Trinity Wharf where the cruises leave. <BR>Incidentally, there are hotels at Sydney Airport if you are feeling really lazy.

Hello Julie! Just want to let you know depending on the accomodations in Cairns. 5-10 mins away from the pier. There about a few hotels, motels, in about a few blocks radius near the pier. Can't name them right off. www.cairnsconnect.com and click under accomodation. And gives you a pretty good listing. Good Luck! and Enjoy! =) <BR> <BR>To Leslie. The Raddison is attach to the shopping center. They occupy the upper floors of that mall. The checkin desk is hidden somewhere. =)

p.s. re your sydney stay at the Sir Stamford.. is it the one at Circular Quay or the hotel at Double Bay? - i would recommend Circular Quay, much handier to everything.

It's the Stamford Plaza closer to Darling Harbour rather than the Sir Stamford in the Rocks. <BR> <BR>Thanks to everyone for their help. It turns out we didn't need the night in Cairns, but we have decided to stay at Coogee Beach for the stopover on our way back to the U.S. Thought a relaxing walk along the beach on our last day would be a better choice than trying to cram more of Sydney in!