Lorraine & Ned Leavitt

We are thinking of going to Cairns, Australia in July. My husband dives and I shop! Are there lots to do? Thank you

Garry Thompson

The shopping is good, but the diving is all on the Barrier Reef. The best (closest access) is from Port Douglas -- about an hour's drive to the North. Port Douglas is a small town with a "four mile beach." <BR> <BR>Cairns does not have a beach, just a mud flats. Remember, July is the middle of Winter. We were there in late April and the weather was perfect, mid 80s. <BR> <BR>Don't remember the season for the Box Jellyfish, but beware. <BR> <BR>

Peg

Lorraine and Ned, Cairns is a township worth visiting for a day but Port Douglas is by far the better place to base yourself. Port is full of charm and there is as much or as little to do as you want. It is the closest place to the Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Check details for yourself on http://www.ozemail.com.au/~portdoug/pdvb.html we love holidaying there. <BR>There are a lot of very nice apartments close to the township and only a 5 minute walk to the township, marina and beaches. We usually stay at Marina Terraces which is only about one third the price of some of the bigger resorts.Peg.

ghare

<BR>I am canadian.stayed in cairns for 6 weeks.lovely place.its a smallish city.has a casino.buses take you everywhere.cheao.car rentals about $45 a day.You must visit KURANDA and PALM COVE BEAUTIFUL places.ALL close by.Tropical Rainforest Kuranda

ghare

<BR>My brother got his dive license in cairns.Cairns exists for divers and barrier reef tours.About @55 ea for ALL DAY dive or snorkelling <BR>Includes gear and food

Denise

Don't forget Heron Island for diving. No shopping I am afraid. Heron Island hosts dive weeks late each year - people from all over the world. This is about as far south as the reef goes, but is wonderful. For the shopper, a great island to rest. Stingers gather along the coast during the hot season. Don't seem to bother the reef areas. <BR>Denise <BR>