I am planning a trip for 9 days to Cairns and Pt. Douglas. I would like any information on sights to see and things to do at either place. I would also like to know how to get to Kangaroo Island. Any info would be great!

From Cairns you can go to Kuranda on the skyrail and take the train back and also go to the Atherton Tablelands. From Port Douglas you can go to the Daintree and Scuba Diving is always an obvious option. If you wanted to see some animals (Koala, Kangaroo, etc.) Port Douglas has a Habitat.

rather than Cairns, stay in Palm Cove or Pt Douglas. Not commercial and nicer beaches. To Do, Train to Kuranda Skyrail back is a must. One day trip to the Daintree rainforest may be the best, including Mossman Gorge. Do 1 day at the great barrier reef on Quicksilver . They take you out of Cairns Palm Cove or thier hdqtrs at port Douglas. just back and can tell you these are the must see's. Good Luck

Amy, I have just got back from Cairns (Palm Cove) and was really surprised that Cairns has no beach and just a mud flat. Cairns itself is not very nice but Palm Cove is lovely. However, this time of year you can not swim in the sea because of the box jellyfish which is a shame. We went to Michaelmas Cay on Ocean Spirit cruises which was wonderful but a lot of people. The snorkelling/scuba diving is great. Lots of people have said not to bother going at this time of year because of the humidity(unbelievable), heat, and jellyfish. I would not go again at this time. Lots of people also said don't bother with Cairns, go straight to the Whitsundays. We stayed in the Allamanda in Palm Cove - amazing hotel and cheaper because of the off season. We went with a Quantas package but you would probably do better off going on your own a doing a deal with the hotel. We stayed an extra night and they gave us the room for 1/2 the normal price and we were upgraded as it wasn't full. But, if it was me going again, I would wait till the wet season was over. We would have dinner at night and walk home because the water was up to our knees!! Hope all this helps! Emma

When going to Kuranda and doing sky rail and train, is that on a tour or can you do it independently? The same question for the Daintree and Mossman Gorge area. We will have a car. If we want to daytrip to an island which one is "best" Have read a lot about Green Island. Prefer less than than more people. We are going in July <BR>Thanks

Susie, <BR>The station for the Kuranda Skyrail is about 10 mins north of Cairns, just off the main highway. You can also visit Kuranda by road and combine it with a day tour around the Atherton Tableland. <BR>As previous posts have said, your best off staying north of Cairns. Port Douglas (1 hr north is your best option). Much nicer town, great beach and closer to the Daintree/Cape Tribulation area (must see). Also, Outer Reef trips leave directly from the Port Douglas Marina. <BR>July will be perfect in Far North Qld, but try and avoid the first 2 weeks of July which are school holidays.

Susie.. <BR> <BR>It's easy to do the Kuranda Skyrail and train on your own...and cheaper than going on a tour. YOu can make resrvations online at their website..I understand that the train cna fill up during peak time. You will park at the skyrail and as part of your ticket..you will be bussed from the train station back to your car. Make sure you go on a day that the Kuranda Market is open...and it's worth taking the short guided "ranger" tour about halfway to Kuranda. <BR> <BR>You can easily drive to Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation. We planned on taking a tour but drove ourselves. The environmental centre, as you enter the rainforest is also worth seeing. <BR> <BR>If you take a trip you should know that some of the tours have about 12 tourists and some are full size buses. The tours kept the people on a tigh schedule....get off.....short naration ( than anyone can listen to)..and then "it's time to get back back on the bus". <BR>We were happy to have our own car...and see things at our our pace and nopt be rushed. <BR> <BR>You will love the area...I wish we were going back.

Dick <BR>What is the ranger tour half way to Kuranda that you mentioned in your post? Is that on the way when on the skyrail? Are there stops on the way? <BR>Did you go to Tjapukai? Do you have to get a special ticket to stop off there? <BR>It appears on the website that you need to select the mode of transport and what you want to do en route. <BR>At Cape Trib/ Daintree can you just walk around and do your own thing or are there special things to do which can only be done on a tour. <BR>We will be in Pt Douglas 4+days and will go to the outer reef one day and Kuranda one day and then go up to Cape Trib one day. Should we consider daypacking to Green Island? <BR>Thanks

Susie... <BR> <BR>The guided tour is at one of the skyrail stops. There are 2 stops, I think, and at least one change of gondola. <BR> <BR>The tour is only about 20 mins through a boardwalk in the rainforest...but is very informative. ( All this is included in your ticket price) <BR> <BR>We did not go to Tjapukai..so I can'e be of help there. <BR> <BR>Which website did you check,,,the official site is <BR>http://www.skyrail.com.au <BR>and offers a virtual tour. <BR> <BR>We were really impressed with the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Trib...its not at all commercial and and really gives you an appreciation of the power of nature. You can walk..hike..stop at points of interest as you wish. We bouth a map of the area in Mossman Gorge that was very helpful. You do not need a tour guide( we eavesdropped on some of the guides info) found it more enjoyable when the tour moved on and we had the place more to oursleves. We did notice that to spreead out the tour groups...and to keep on schedule...they all seemed to stop at different points. <BR> <BR>It's personal choice as to whether you want a tour...but certainly not required. I'm, sure some of the people that signed up for a 4 wheel drive vehicle tour expected a jeep....and got a large van (like car rentals use) that was 4 wheeel drive. <BR> <BR>If you go..leave very early in the am...allowing you more time in the rainforest. <BR> <BR>About you day trip to an island...I dont know how many choices there are. But we stayed on Green Island....it is very pretty....but so many "day trippers" come each day thats its more like a mini theme park.....but certainly might be fun for a day....just don't expect to have the place to yourselves. <BR> <BR>

The information here is great. It is clear that Port Douglas is a better choice than Cairns for a home base. One question - can we get to the train to Kurunda and the sky rail return from Port Douglas, or should we stay in Cairns for a nite or so to be able to do that? Thanks!

Neita, <BR> <BR>It's an easy drive from Port douglas to the SKyrail..and definitely not necessary to stay overnight. <BR> <BR> Dick

Thank you everyone for your great responses! I leave tonight for my trip and will post a reply on what I enjoyed and disliked. Thanks again! Amy