Help! We are trying to decide on a resort in the great barrier reef to stay at in August. We are a couple in our mid-twenties in a middle price range budget. We'd like somewhere with lots of activities, a nice pool, and good snorkling. We have been considering Brampton, Club Med, Dunk, Daydream, and Hamilton. Any ideas? Thanks

As one tidbit that may help you choose, when I was researching Australia for our visit last August, I did learn that Dunk Island does NOT have good snorkeling. It has many other nice features, but not that. Sorry I can't be of more help though.

My brother and sister-in-law spent a week on Daydream Island with their then 18 month old son. They loved the place because it had so many kiddie-oriented activities and helped their son to stay meaningfully occupied. Also, there were babysitting services so that my brother and SIL could have some time to do adult activities. My brother did say, however, that the place was SWARMING with little kids, if that makes any difference to you.

Punky, in another current thread, Pat Woolford (a long time resident of Cairns) has highly recommended Hinchinbrook Island, a couple of hours' drive south of Cairns.

It depends if you like nightlife or not. My partner and I stayed on South Molle island which was fine because we went to bed early, got up reasonably early and got on with the day (usually taking a boat trip out somewhere to go snorkelling etc). Other friends of mine didn't like it, and prefer Hamilton Island as it has shops and discos etc (and is much bigger).

I see a plug there for Hinchinbrook Island which is indeed a wonderful place for the nature lovers and people wanting to get away from it all. Punky is in "mid-twenties" looking for "lots of activities" they might find it there.

Oops.....Last line in previous post should read: may NOT find it there. Sorry (old timers disease)

Thanks for the advice. We are leaning towards Dunk since we are going in August and it father North. Lizard is just too expensive for us.

Do you think we will find enough to occupy ourselves with on Dunk for five nights? We are also planning on spending five nights in Port Douglas at an apartment, but wanted a resort experience.

Thanks for your input!

Punky - if you get bored at Dunk you can hop over to Mission Beach on the mainland where one of the white water rafting trips will pick you up for the best rafting on the nearby Tully River. R&R and Raging Thunder are both good operators.

Hi Punky,
Dunk does have a fair bit of activities to do and you can also pay for extra things. check out www.poresorts.com.au and look at Dunk in particular.

The evenings there are very low key. They usually have a local band playing some good old music, but that's it. you can play some pool (which you have to pay for) but again, that's about the nightly entertainment. One other night they had Toad races, which was fun, but of course didn't last that long.

Other than that, Dunk is worth a visit, but just depends on what kind of holiday your after.

Cheers