kwanlass

My family will be spending four days in the Great Barrier Reef area (accommodations in Palm Cove). We get into Cairns on at 10:45 a.m. on a Wednesday, but don't have tours booked until Thursday (GBR trip), Friday (Kurunda Village) and Saturday (Cape Tribulation 4x4 tour). <BR> <BR>Can anyone recommend some activities for our first day? Or should we just hang out at beaches--only those with nets, of course. <BR> <BR>Thanks much! <BR> <BR>Kelly

ALF

Does your Kuranda Tour include a visit to the Tjapukai Cultural Centre? If not, I would recommend it as an interesting intro into the history and life of Australia's aborigines. To be sure, the high-tech shows are designed for tourists, but they were very well done, and disturbingly accurate (as a matter of fact, the presentation on Europeans' treatment of aborigines might be inappropriate for small children. The Centre is located right near the base of the Kuranda Skyrail. Another choice might be the Daintree River Train, a boat trip along the Daintree River, including a nature walk through a mangrove forest. The 'train' conists of a series of boats linked togther, so it looks sort of like a watery train.

Sandy

Hi Kelly, <BR>We just got back yesterday from 4 1/2 days in Trinity Beach, just down the street from Palm Cove. Stayed at Absolute Beachfront B&B. Spent the 1/2 day winding down from the 3 previous weeks of travel. Snorkled the 2nd day - Ocean Spirit. Kuranda on day 3 (best part was the Skyrail up and the butterflies when we got there; the train ride down was extremely hot - I liked it, my husband did not), Daintree trip on day 4 (not impressed) but the Rainforest Habitat really near Port Douglas was great - could have stayed much longer than we did; went to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park & Cairns on the 5th day - the Cultural Park was mildly interesting - Cairns was not. Wish we'd taken another day to just veg. Be sure to take a look at the box jellyfish they have in a jar before you take your Daintree River cruise as part of your Cape Trib trip - I think they will give you a drink & cookies there before the cruise. Any other questions, get in touch. If not, have a ball. When are you going?

Kelly

Thanks ALF and Sandy. We actually leave on Friday for our three week trip. We're doing a two-week cruise from Auckland to Sydney, and are then spending two days in Sydney and four up near GBR. Can't wait!!!! <BR> <BR>To answer ALF's question, yes, our tour does include the Tjapukai Cultural Center. The Daintree River Train sounds interesting as well. <BR> <BR>Thanks for the reviews, Sandy. Did it rain as much as they say it does at this time? Which Daintree trip did you take? We're taking Tony's Tropical Tours Cooptown Creek tour. What did you not like about it? <BR> <BR>Kelly

tina

just back last week from our trip. does your cape trib excursion include mossman gorge? that was a nice hike, plus some refreshing swimming holes. did the daintree river cruise. it was nice, although no crocs! also recommend the rainforest habitat wildlife sanctuary. finally saw crocs here <BR>hopefully you can stay flexible on your plans, esp. the outing to the gbr. when you get in, ask how rough the water is and then book your trip accordingly. glad we did this, had a much better boat ride as a result (esp. since we took a smaller boat - the aristocat - highly recommended!). it's really easy to book tours the day before. <BR>have fun!

Sandy

We took the Daintree Explorer by Trek North Safaris. We just thought it was a weak tour. Our guide was nice, not a peppy young guy. It was warm and we all were happy to get back on the air-conditioned bus. Because it was warm, there was a lack of wildlife - they wanted to be where it was cool also. Rain (although we had some) did not interfere with any of our plans although it did give us about 1/10 of the view of 4 mile beach. The rain brought the temperature down quite a bit and, of course, it was a warm rain so quite pleasant.