Majjsu

Hi
Visiting Australia in November and reading as much as I can on the various places. I am looking to visit Cairns but am also considering Daintree. Is 5 days ok for this area and is Daintree worth going?

Would like to visit Ayers Rock, is 3 nights too long? Its my birthday when I am away and am planning the Sounds of Silence meal. I have read some mixed reviews and read about alot of flies.

Would really appreciate your feedback. Thanks

Bushranger

Longer is always better for most places but five days in Cairns region will allow you to see a bit, and spending a couple of days up in the Daintree area is well worthwhile to get some idea of the rainforest.

And with three days for Ayers Rock or Uluru as it is called now is reasonable but if I was you, I'd consider flying into Alice Springs and then doing a tour Alice Springs to Uluru, www.waywardbus.com.au for a cheaper but good camping style trip or www.aptouring.com.au will give you options for a bit more comfort.

And yes, there'll be flies about and so have a broadbrim hat, a fly net and some good repellant.
Australian Geographic stores stock a collapsible mesh type hat that fits in a pocket size pouch and weighs about 4 oz., and ideal travellers hat and suitable for a fly mesh that if not available from the AG shop, a camping/disposals store will have one.
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/shop/stores.htm

RalphR

Far North Queensland offers a LOT to see and do - one could easily spend a couple of weeks up there and still not have exhausted the possibilities. So 5 days is definitely not too much time.

As for Ayers Rock, depends on how much you like to hike and explore. On my last trip, we spent 3 nights there. We devoted one whole day to hiking around the rock, etc, and another day hiking in the Olgas, an equally, if not more, fascinating rock formation 40 miles to the west.

Flies are not a problem in the cooler "winter" months June-Aug. We went in August and the weather was lovely, though chilly at night. Beautiful night sky!!!!

Orlando_Vic

My take on Uluru is that three days and two nights will work for most people and save you an extra hotel night which can be expen$$$ive, to say the least.

Ditto what Bushranger says about a fly/mosquito net. It's very important!

The Sounds of Silence Dinner is a wonderful experience. Yes, it's expensive and the food is merely good (not great), but the overall experience is memorable.

ivenotbeeneverywhere

I would not be going to Ayers Rock in November as it will be very, very hot and the flies will be out in force then. If its an aboriginal experience you want then you can get that in various places around Cairns and Daintree. Someone wrote in recently on a trip report of going with an Aboriginal up or near Cooktown and having a fantastic experience, very one on one and most informative. Perhaps the person who wrote that will remind us of where that is now and who the Aboriginal was - apparently he is listed in the best experiences lists etc.

pat_woolford

Daintree isn't better than Cairns or Ayers Rock, its totally different and its definitely worth a couple of days at least, in rainforest accommodation - see www.bnbnq.com.au under the heading "North of Cairns".

If you give an idea of your particular interests will be able to make some specific recommendations about what to see and do in the incredibly diverse areas of Far North Queensland.

Saltuarius

As Pat says, better for what?

Majjsu

Hi

Hey thanks to everyone for taking the tme to reply to my questions, I really appreciate it. Daintree & Cairns here I come and I have always wanted to see Ayers Rock.

Bushranger & Pat those websites are really good so special thanks for that.

I am interested in history, culture & walks, whereas my other half is more of an action man.

pat_woolford

Majjsu, for Aboriginal culture and walks check out the Kuku Yalangi's Dreamtime walk - www.yalanji.com.au,just down the road from Mossman Gorge, there's a nice little B&B just nearby which you'll find under the site I posted, Mossman Gorge B&B. For Action Man there's jungle "surfing" at Cape Tribulation, a bungee jump closer to Cairns at AJ Hackett's, skydiving around Cairns, and hangliding off the Rex Lookout on main highway between Cairns and Port Douglas. White water rafting on Tully River south of Cairns, would be easier to do this from Cairns as is closer.