I am headed to Oz in June for my first visit there. I am just ecstatic and am trying to do as much research as possible, so I feel good about all the decisions I make. There is so much to see and do, and I only have 3 weeks, so I need to act wisely.

The current plan is (would love your feedback):
- four days in Melbourne(family there)
- fly to Sydney for a three day visit
- fly Sydney to Townsville to get down to the Whitsundays
- Sail around the Whitsundays for three days (any advice on which boats to charter? - have seen lots of postings, but not sure how to choose from among all of them. I am looking for a medium-sized boat which will take us around the islands and allow for some good sights of the GBR. Would like to find something reasonably priced, but nothing TOO basic.)
- bus to Cairns (anywhere to spend a night or two between Airlie Beach and Cairns??)
- rent a car in Cairns and head north toward Cape Trib (would like to find a small town on the way to stop and check stuff out - any recs? reasonably priced hotels/b&bs?)
- two nights in Cape Trib (worth two nights? if so, hotel advice? I've been looking into the Ferntree, but read someone's report that it needs a refurb; Cape Trib Sanctuary?; Daintree Cape Trib Heritage Lodge? Something reasonable - can't afford Daintree Ecolodge sadly!)
- Drive south to Palm Cove (Anyone know anything about Paradise on the Beach Resort? I haven't read a single thing about it on anyone's postings. Also, read about Marae - http://www.marae.com.au/marae.html - on someone's posting - with a 3 night minimum, is that a good choice? It certainly looks nice and a great value. Could it replace Cape Trib?)

I've got a couple extra days to work with, but not sure what to do/where to go. I can't get a sense of the Port Douglas vs. Palm Cove debate. I would prefer the less touristy option - I get the sense this is Palm Cove. Is that accurate?

Please help. I am eager to see and do the best, so I need advice.

Thanks a million!!

Hi olivedz
Go to Google and search "101 things to do in Daintree" that should go a fair way towards answering your north Queensland part.

For bareboating in the Whitsundays, I've found the following sources on the web. Some are nicer and/or more expensive than others and some require a 5 night minimum. We're looking at doing this for our honeymoon in August, but not sure yet...

http://www.yachtcharters.com.au/
http://www.whitsunday-bareboat-charter.com/
http://www.rentayacht.com.au/
http://www.cya.com.au/
http://www.moorings.com/

I was looking at maybe renting a car in Airlie Beach and driving up, stopping at Mission Beach along the way. What bus were you planning on taking? That could work for us too.

Hi Olivdz,
Palm Cove is a great choice.
It is quite a peaceful place with some shops restaurant and some gorgeous accomodation.
try www.palmcove.net

We stayed at the Oasis at Palm Cove which were beautiful apartments just 100yds or so from the beach.

But it appears that all the accomodation there is of great standard.

Have fun

Muck

Thanks for all of your responses.

Ozwild, I have not gotten to buses yet, but will definitely post when I do.

Any info on the hotels listed?
- Pardise on the Beach Resort (Palm Cove)?
- Marae? (worth a two night minimum based on location?)
- Ferntree?
- Cape Trib Sanctuary?
- Daintree Cape Trib Heritage Lodge?

Also, I read about David Armbrust tours - are they worth the extra money compared with some of the others?

Thanks!!

Hi olivedz - Marae is lovely, have stayed there many times as it belonged to a friend who sold it recently. I haven't met the new owners yet who are continuing to run it as a B&B. Beautiful home with extensive use of silky oak timber- lovely bush views over the Shannonvale Valley behind Mossman with not another building in sight - birds everywhere. Has been listed in Frommers for years as one of the best 14 B&B's in Australia. Easy drive to PD or Silky Oaks for dinner.