U were brave to say Oz is expensive....the Aussies will jump you on this post...didnt want to post a full trip report cause of this...dont blame them for defending their cost of living but to us Americans, it is expensive...2 to 3 times the cost in the states.... so let the flames begin as you see here....we observe not complain that the cost of items are more expensive than in the states...cokes, 7 dollars for a 10 pack..3 for a 12 in the states....so what...what this poster and I try to say is this, be aware, Oz is not ripping you off, it is what it is....even thought the dollar is worth more, you get less bang for you US dollar....who cares....all the money I spent in Oz was well
worth ever cent ...flame on

Lisa,
We stayed at Marae for 3 days last June 2006. The location, house, hosts are 1st rate and charming. However we had a problem with the bathroom - bedroom combination( same room). The first floor room, with the pool, has a partial view of the breakfast terrace from the loo! We moved upstairs and had the use of the bathroom nextdoor also, in addition to the one in an alcove of the room. The rooms are beautiful, linen and toiletries great so it's a matter of choice. By the way, we did the same Kangaroo Island trip and it was one of the best B&B and tour operater we encounter. Day trip to Lizard Island with Daintree Air takes first place, with K.I. a close second. Definately worth the splurge if you don't count on returning soon.

Daria -- I want to make sure I understand... Their website says they have a private cabana-style King Room, close to the pool, or there is a King Room and a Double Room within the house. Was it the separate King room by the pool where you felt the bathroom lacked privacy? So would you recommend the king room within the house?

Lisa, the "cabana style" king room is the only one downstairs.There are 3 rooms, but they decided to rent only 2. We had the "cabana" one night, and the upstair king room 2 nights. Also, if you plan to book any trips from there, do it directly with the tour operator, since Marae charges a "fee" to them. Well worth the money was the day trip 4WD with Peter Baxendell. If by chance you are planning to go to Cape Tribulation, I highly recommend The Exotic Fruit Farm B&B(http://www.capetrib.com.au/)

I would find it extremely unlikely that Marae would charge a fee for tour bookings. I've stayed there 4 or 5 times and not seen this happen. What the operators of the B&B will do is give you the very best advice, after all they're locals and are aware of pitfalls of many a trip which you won't find on websites, and make sure you're picked up for tours if this is necessary. And change a booking at last minute for the best possible weather in your time frame - this is of particular importance for a reef trip.

Yes, they will be paid a small commission from the tour operator - this makes absolutely no difference to the price paid by the guest - large resort operators can afford to pay the tour operator full amount for a guest tour at time of booking, this amount will appear on guest invoice - resort will claim their commission later. A small 2-3 bedroom B&B such as Marae can't afford to outlay these costs. So a guest is ticketed for price of tour LESS commission which would be shown on booking ticket, the balance is to paid to tour operator by guest. This is common practice with all tours in FNQ. And Pete Baxendell's trip, deservedly so, is one of Marae's recommended tours.

Marae is a tropical home, well designed for the climate and have never had a "privacy issue" in the 3 rooms have stayed in. Yes, every loo has a view looking outwards, and they're not enclosed in boxy little cubicles. It has a RACQ (official rating body) rating of 4 and a half stars, not easy to achieve these days in a B&B.

Have stayed at Marae many times and have never seen operators charge booking fee for tours. These are local people with a reputation to uphold, what they do have is a sound local knowledge of tours in area. Yes, the tour operator will pay them a small commission, this in no way affects the guest who will be billed total amount for tour LESS commission. Balance to be paid by guest on day of tour to operator. A large resort will bill the guest for full price of tour and collect commission from operator later, but a small 2-3room B&B can't afford this outlay. Pete Baxendell's trip, deservedly so is one on Marae's recommended list.

Marae is a tropical home, well designed for the climate - living areas are open plan but have never had a "privacy issue" in any of their rooms. In fact every loo has a view - outwards, not inwards - there's virtually no other buildings in sight. Also has an offical RACQ rating of 4 and a half stars, not easy to achieve in a B&B these days.

Sorry, don't know how that post happened twice.

probably too many laps around the swimming pool

Hi Pat and Mike

AndrewDavid

re: The fireworks - what you saw was the early childrens version - it is on early so that parents can get the children home and to bed at a decent time. The BIG fireworks at midnight are at the Harbour Bridge and I am very surprised you did not see them from your hotel or get caught up in the crowd of over a million people on your way through. It is truly a spectacular show which goes for about a half to three quarters of an hour.
Anyway, never mind - I am glad you had a lovely trip to Oz. and hope you can make it back again another time.
Cheers.

Do they have 2 lots of Fireworks on Australia Day? I thought that was only on New Year and the Australia Day show is at Darling Harbour itself.

Hi Dave

I did a search on the forum and came across your post. My friends and I are planning a trip to Australia for the last week in January and cannot decide between spending some time in the Great Barrier Reef (worried about the weather) or in Kangaroo island. I was curious to see how your trip turned out? Thanks

Dave, I know this is now almost 7 years since you posted, but your itinerary looks a lot like the one I've been planning and this post has been wonderful for planning. Thank you seven years later!