We want to stay one night in Cairns before we fly out. DH wants to bird on the Esplanade and Centenary Lakes, so we would like to come down so he can bird the afternoon then morning before we go. We want to minimize drive time by staying in town.

I found one place, Whitfield House, which would be perfect (as I could walk over to the Botanic Gardens which is what interests me, and he could go to CL and down to the Esplanade easily). However, their online booking link is broken, and an email sent over the weekend has not yet been responded too. I had hoped once it was Monday there, they would respond.

The next closest place had horrible reviews, so then I moved to hotels on the Esplanade. Wow, what a mixed bag. Consistently, every place I looked at had a significant number of poor reviews. Some good, but mostly poor.

We want to be on the far end from town as that is where he wants to bird. The least objectionable one that I have found is the Mercure Harbourside.

All this to say, does anyone have any input? If I hear from Whitfield House and it isn't outrageously expensive for one night, I would take that. But otherwise, I am on the fence.

toucan - is there a phone no for Whitfield house?

as the on-line link is broken, it might be worth a call to just check that they are in business and to ask them to answer your e-mail.

alternatively, the tourist office might have an up to date listing.

Phone is (+61)74032 2732
Or if you are already in Australia. 07 4032 2732

Thanks. I was away (got back late last night) and am sure our hosts would not have appreciated a call to Australia from their home in TX . As we are now home, and it is morning there, I will give them a try.

No answer

Mmm I just called them and had the same result. Just rang out - no message bank.

So, I called Cairns Tourist centre & they said Whitfield House is definitely still there & in business. Possibly just not there at the moment & perhaps their message bank is full. May be worth trying again later. It's 11:30 am here now..

Asked for other recommendations in the area you want, they suggested Lakes Resort.

That was very kind of you and definitely above the call! I wil keep trying. I may just book Mercure as backup and cancel if necessary. I think I checked out Lakes Resort before, I will look again.

4 mins of my time, Toucan. My pleasure, hope you can sort it out

Argggh. Finally reached them tonight and they are booked. On to the Mercure.

hard cheese, toucan2 - how irritating. good luck with the Mercure!

we have changed our booking in Port Douglas to a hotel closer to the centre rather than the one further down the beach that we were holding. Also we probably not going to hire a car, but use an airport transfer instead one way, with Alan picking us up the other end of our stay.

Now, onto NZ!

Are either / both of you coming to Sydney? Would be great to meet you & I'm sure there are a few others who would be up for an impromptu GTG/ drink/ meal.

Ann is doing her best to avoid me by transferring to other geographic locations as soon as I approach

I will be down in Sydney New Years week. I am not sure of our schedule there yet, but would love to meet you and other Fodorites. I think we will be up at the farm in Nabiac until Monday, then back to Sydney until we leave January 4.

I reserved a room at the Mercure. Ann I am glad you got the transportation sorted out.

Small world, Toucan. Friends of ours had a farmlette out of Nabiac. Sold it a few years ago & moved to the coast.

I'm sure a few of us will be around for New Year, so let's see what we can sort out closer to the date. If we do a spontaneous " who's around in the next day or 2" then, it will be easy for everyone.

Ann is doing her best to avoid me by transferring to other geographic locations as soon as I approach>>

don't be naughty - you know that's not true. it is weird how we are going to many of the same places though, but at slightly different times, though the co-incidence of our being in the same place at the same time would i think be greater!

Bokara - sadly we'll be home by Christmas, so no New year in Sydney for us.

. It is fun to tease you Ann

Yes B that sounds best. Hope to see a few of you then.

I'll be around and would love to have a catch up meal/drink!

That would be great!

Ann's doing her best to avoid me, too - not arriving in Sydney until I leave!

sorry Margo_oz- it's not deliberate.

anyway I could just as easily say that you are doing your best to avoid me!

Toucan2, can you nominate a day that suits and we can start organising a gtg? Lunch or dinner is fine for me, but given that it's a busy time of year I'd like to put something in my diary soon. As a suggestion, how about lunch at Fort Denison which has a nice, casual restaurant and I think will be a memorable location for you.

http://www.fortdenison.com.au/

Alternatively if you were planning a trip to Manly or Bondi, we could meet there too.