Help needed--GBR, Daintree, Mossman, Atherton
 

Thanks to wonderful Fodorites, we've planned the first 10 days of our late Dec.-early Jan. trip, and now we've got our last 4 nights (3 1/2 days) up north. We are a family of four (middle-aged couple with two young adult daughters), and our first priority is unusual Australian nature and wildlife, plus local (especially native) culture. We do not care about beach time or shopping at all.

I know it is likely to be hot and rainy, but several family members really want to dive the GBR. So one day will be reserved for that. Based on other forum posts, I'm guessing we will go with Quicksilver (even though in general we prefer to stay away from large-group experiences). I am not a diver and get seasick easily--so having the platform and other dry options for seeing the reef (in case I don't feel up to snorkeling) while the other 3 family members dive seems like a good solution. Unless anyone knows of a better option that can accommodate all of us...

That leaves about 2 1/2 days. (We need to be back at the Cairns airport by about 2 pm on our final day.) So one option is to spend the rest of the time seeing Mossman Gorge and Daintree. If we do that, should we stay in Port Douglas for the whole time, near Mossman or Daintree for the whole time, or split the time? It doesn't seem like they are very far from each other, but the environment sure seems different. Normally, I'd opt to get away from tourist beach towns, but I'm wondering if the heat away from the coast is a lot worse.

Alternately, if we could visit Mossman and Daintree together on day 2, we could then travel to the Atherton Tablelands for day 3 (and perhaps something the last morning). I have read so many posts about how that was a highlight of people's trips. But I don't want to give Mossman and Daintree short shrift. I will contact Alan Gillanders, recommended by many posters, to see if he is even available.

Thoughts? Other places I haven't considered?

We had great wildlife viewing in the Tablelands. If Alan isn't available, you could try Jonathan Munro of Wildwatch. We only had 2 full days and did a reef trip the other day so can't help with the Mossman/Daintree part as something had to go! That area of Queensland was our second favorite area after Tasmania and we hope to go back and explore more.

If you do use quicksilver, I suggest the smaller boats for 16 rather than the zoo of the larger ship. You may get more ill (I get very boat sick) but I think worth the experience. The platform did nothing to help me. We loved Daintree and stayed in Port douglas the whole time and did day trips. If weather good, I would suggest kayak in the reef also. it was a guided tour and learned a lot and it was beautiful. Best vacation ever

oh forgot, mossman grove was good also. this and dantree can be in one day.

Been to North Queensland several times, most recently in 2012. My suggestion would be to spend 3 nights in Port Douglas or nearby - spend one day out on the reef and another day visiting Mossman Gorge (which is in the Daintree Nat'l Park), taking a croc cruise on the Daintree River and something else, like the ARGO 8x8 off road tour out of the Daintree village (very good!). Then get an early start the next day and set off for the Atherton Tablelands. We found the town of Yungaburra to be a nice place to stay. Lots to see and do in the area and some great wildlife opportunities - platypus in the river just outside Yungaburra, for example. By chance we encountered tree kangaroos at the Nerada Tea Plantation and a cassowary in the rainforest nearby. After one night on the Tablelands, drive to Cairns in the AM for your afternoon flight.

Great suggestions, all. RalphR, your itinerary sounds right for our needs, with perhaps a Kuku Yalanji-led walk near Mossman. We've all but decided to forgo driving up to Cape Trib in favor of Yungaburra. Bring on the platypus and cassowary! Patty, thanks for the backup guide suggestion for the Tablelands (as well as your help on the Tas portion of our trip). H2T, I had not heard about kayaking in the reef, but that sounds wonderful. We have about firmed up our itinerary and just have a few more reservations to make. Then I can spend the next seven months anticipating (and trying to find a fool-proof seasickness remedy).

4 people going out on the reef is pretty expensive, one thing you can look at is buying the entertainment book for the Cairns area, its for charity but you would get 30% off the price for Quicksilver.(save around $250)

I was there a couple of weeks ago, I also used it for restaurants, the book costs about $50 and paid for itself easily

http://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/...Port%20Douglas

Sounds like a fantastic idea, Geordie, but I couldn't find Quicksilver as one of the coupons. The only coupon I found for a Port Douglas dive operator was the Silversonic. As much as I would like to think I could spend the day snorkeling, I have to admit that I am a landlubber at heart and would prefer to have some dry options for reef viewing, rather than sitting on a dive boat waiting for divers to return. But we'll have to see whether the entertainment book would be worth it for other coupons.

You are correc about the coupon not being available for Quicksilver, instead you need to call Quicksilver and tell them you are an entertainment book holder, I just checked and its 20% discount for it, with great adventures from Cairns its 30% with the coupon

The list of cruises can be found in the sitemap but you cannot access the offer until you have registered your membership

http://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/Site-Map

That's interesting that they will give a discount for having the book (but no coupon). We can certainly use any discount we can get. Thanks, Geordie.

Do we book our reef trip ahead to ensure that we'll have spots on the boat? (I don't know how busy they are in early January.) Or should we wait until we're in Port Douglas to see which of our two days has better conditions for seeing the reef? If we reserve for one day and it's lousy weather, do they let you go the next day instead?

I haven't been there in Jan so I'm not sure how busy it will be, although most people would go to a beach resort such as the Gold Coast at that time of year. Saying that, I was there recently during the Easter school break and there were very few Aussies, it was mainly Chinese, followed by Japanese and Americans / Europeans

I doubt they would let you cancel if the weather is bad, I've been out when its been wet and windy, its not ieal but the reef protects you from most of it when snorkeling but not on the way out which it's about 2 hours away and it does get quite rough so take some tablets if you get seasick

I would book a day or so before, in order to get the discount you do need to call a number, also if people are diving they do not recommend you flying shortly afterwards so bear that in mind

If you are really worried about being seasick, why don't you do something else for the day the others go to the reef? That way, they could go on a smaller, more enjoyable boat & you could have an enjoyable day exploring without the seasickness concern.