And Pat , I have noticed , is very generous with good ,reliable advice .

As for Adelaide I suggest that The Medina Grand Treasury is the best I have stayed at recently . Self contained and really good . I have looked at the Majestic and it looks really good also .

I am resurrecting this thread to comment on Pat's posting of "For those who don't mind a bit of a stiff 6km hike, see cairnswildernesswalks.com

I had noted the address down when searching through threads on Cairns. I am very glad I did so as it was one of the highlights of our trip.

Seeing that I am somewhat overweight and unfit, my wife and I booked up the rainforest relaxation tour - a great deal less strenuous than the 6km hike (Normally I would have thought 6km would be straightforward, but looking at the climbs involved, I am glad I did not try it).
The walking was easy, the scenery superb, and we learnt a tremendous amount. On one of the shorter rocky trails at Crystal Cascades, apart from a small group of Schoolkids early on, we appeared to have the place to ourselves. This was in sharp contrast to the "crowds" at Mossman gorge later in the trip.

Overall I would highly recommend the tour.

I need to write up my trip report. We spent 10 days in Cairns and a week in Sydney. At the end I almost chained myself to the railings while claiming political asylum - I loved Australia: The weather, the countryside, the people - all combined to make it an exceptional trip.

willit, so glad you enjoyed the Cairns
Wilderness Walk, I forgot to mention before that there's a choice between the Crystal Cascades easy walk and the stiff climb to Lake Morris. But this becomes apparent when you read the website. Margaret is such a knowledgeable guide, really knows the rainforest, and in comparison with other rainforest trips which are much further out from Cairns, her price is a bargain.

Glad you enjoyed your trip to Oz and look forward to reading your trip report.

the link to the wilderness walks doesn't work! I googles it but it didn't come up anything recognizable. Could you please check it?

Willit, we can totally identify with your feeling of wanting to chain yourself to something in Australia to keep from leaving. We felt upon arriving home that we wanted to just get back on the airplane and go back. Usually we say we are never going to travel anywhere ever again (which lasts about 3 months), but not after Australia. Which is why we are planning another trip there next year. Yippee! Hope you make it back again soon. Thanks, BTW, for posting about the easier hike opportunity.
Sally in Seattle

Hi Sally, willit's given the correct website for Cairns Wilderness Walks, it was working fine yesterday, but not today. Have rung and left a message for Margaret, the operator, letting her know. Try again in a day or so, its a great trip.

As an Adelaide resident I can agree with both places to stay mentioned here - the Majestic Roof Garden and the Medina Grand. They are in different sectors of the city but both within minutes of pubs (the Exeter near Majestic Roof Garden is one of Adelaide's great pubs) and the sights of Adelaide, like the Central Market, the Botanical Gardens, museum, Art Gallery etc.I think they would both be on the pick up routes for any tours you wished to do.They would be within your price range - particularly if you leave your booking and look at wotif.com.au and laterooms.com close to leaving.

Catch the public J1 or J2 bus from the airport if you are flying in for around $2.50 ride into the city - if you are travelling light its drop off is convenient for both hotels.