Sydney was great and lots due in part to the Four Seasons. . . its definitely the way to go. You'll love Silky Oaks too but bring bug repellant thats safe for the environment. . . you'll need it most anytime of the year I understand.


As for Lizard -- AMEN to suites 39 and 40! they are the best two on the island for seclusion and privacy!!! Definitely try to get them -- its not a "hike" either just an extra 2 minutes to the dining room/main lobby.

Sounds like you have the starts of a most memorable honeymoon!!!! : )

Re: flights from Cairns to Lizard. We took a charter with an outfit called Reefwatch, which was fantastic. You fly low and the view was beautiful. It wasn't that expensive (but there were four of us travelling together); they will store luggage for you (free). This allowed us to avoid spending a night in Cairns; we did take the regular commercial flight back.

I agree that Lizard is fantastic, the Anchor Bay Suites are lovely. Indulge in one of the spa treatments. I recommend the Promised Time. If you and your husband get one at the same time, you can be in the shower together to wash off the mud! We enjoyed it.

And by all mean, PACK LIGHT!!! No matter how little you bring, you will realize you could've brought even less. You need almost nothing for Lizard, and for the rest of your trip, lightweight knits or microfiber that you can roll up and throw in a duffle are ideal---and you can wash them in the sink if you want to, and they'll be dry in the AM.

When did everyone book their trip to Lizard. I am starting to put the package together and am having a little difficulty in arrange hotels, flights, budget, etc b/c most prices will go up (don't they always) after the end of the high season.

I think I have gotten my itenray down

4 days sydney
4 days PD probably Silky Oaks
4 Days Lizard
back to Sydney for 1 day to fly home.

As for diving on Lizard do you have to bring your own equipment or is it provided if you arrange a dive?

The dive equipment is NOT provided free of charge on Lizard. We brought our fins, boots, snorkels etc. If you have your own Reg and Computer I would bring them. I read many a post about the guys wearing a lightweight jacket on the flight and stuffing the pockets with this gear to not have to put it in the suitcase.

As for booking. . . I booked for my June trip in February. I booked with Far and Away -- SWAIN Australia. I would definitely look into it - they are a national company that were great at handling everything and I compared the prices and they got us good deals ( not Lizard of course since there are no deals for Lizard but it was the same price whether I booked on my own or through them. ) They did actually get us good rates for 4 Seasons too!

Anyway, something to consider. . . the 5 nights of Romance pkg on Lizard ( see www.poresorts.com) was great since it had a slight discount PLUS included a bottle of NICE champagne on arrival as well as a spa treatment that was TO DIE FOR! : )

What "environmentally safe" bug repellant would you recommend we bring for our stay at Silky Oaks?

Thanks to all for the "bringing fins, etc., to Lizard. I was debating about that, so it's good to know.

To Mary and Dawn: I didn't initially request Bungalows 39 or 40 at Lizard. I'll try to do so now--are they Anchor Bay Suites?

Thanks Dawn,

you have been really informative. As for the equipment I figured it was extra and the reason I ask was exactly my concern over the wieght issue on the plane.

I have talked with Swain-Australia and several other companies and so far tehy have been the only person to not give me quote. And this is a good reason b/c they said pricing is not ready until Sept. Everyone else has given me an estimate not knowing the real costs. I would rather someone say pricing is not set then give me a WAG.

Thanks,

I am sure I will have more questions.

Suite 39 / 40 are indeed Anchor Bay Suites and if you ask me I think 39 is more private than 40 since it has NOTHING on one side whereas 40 has the "Marlin Bar" but that is usually deserted.

As for the bug repellant. I don't remember the name of the stuff that people had but it was a one word title (not Off! ) and it was a pump rather than aerosol.

Maybe post that separate and ask the masses what the good bug repellant is called - someone is bound to know!?!

Dawn

Thanks.

Thank you Dawn for your wonderful advice. We (our family: 2 children ages 21 and 18) are planning to arrive in Sydney on Dec. 19th. Stay there for 4 nights. I found a deal with the Four Seasons that you pay for the first 3 nights and the 4th is free! We want to leave Sydney early the 5th day to fly to Cairns.

This is where I have a question. I figure that it is about a 3 hour flight to Cairns. We will only have an afternoon to do something as we want to get to Lizard the next morning. It is actually cheaper to take a charter plane (Lizard will arrange it for us & they don't have a huge weight restriction) to Lizard and that way we can arrive in the morning!

1. Any ideas on where to stay for that one quick night? If we arrive in Cairns we could get a rental car and to the sky rail I think.
2. Or should we stay in Port Douglas? Any ideas for what to see?
3. My daughter researched "pink diamonds" and found ut that the place to get them were in Cairns. Do you know anything about that subject?

Many thanks in advance.

Tracy