Hi,
I need to find accomodations in or around Cairns. we're willing to spend around $250AUD. We like small unique places.

Should we stay in Cairns, Port Douglas, or?

don't think we'll rent a car.

KSC

Hi KSC,

I've just seen this post having just posted a reply to your Great Barrier Reef question!

So, if you were to consider my Quicksilver suggestion, I would stay in the Port Douglas area, especially as you don't want to hire a car.

For smaller accommodation options have a look at the website of the B&B & Farmstay Assoc. of Far North Queensland at www.bnbnq.com.au and click on the "North" tab - however many of the "small unique places" (and we are one of them!) are fairly out-of-the-way and public transport is very limited so you may have to weigh up the options regarding either renting a car or staying somewhere more central in Port Douglas where you can virtually walk, or take a shuttle bus, to most places.

Hi Daff,
Thanks for your reply. Do you have a suggestion in Port Douglas?

Thanks,
KSC

Pat Woolford's B&B would be a great start. There you could get all the information you need about a wonderful area of Australia and also information on those out of the way places but little gems that are sometimes forgotten.

>>>>>>Pat Woolford's B&B would be a great start.<<<<<<

Pat Woolford's place, Lilybank Bed & Breakfast, is in Cairns rather than Port Douglas, but her website certainly does provide a wealth of information, as Liz says:

http://www.lilybank.com.au/

Great, Liz - really look forward to meeting you. Cheers

Hi again KSC,

The only B&B I know of actually in Port Douglas is Paradise Villa and their website is http://www.bnbnq.com.au/paradise/default.htm. They are quite close to the beach but are a little way out of the centre of town.

There are of course many other places to stay in Port Douglas and you will find many recommendations elsewhere on this forum.

If you decided to stay elsewhere and still wanted to go out with Quicksilver they have coaches which pick up from Cairns - and also a boat which takes you from Cairns to Port Douglas to catch the main cruise boat.

Happy planning!

Hi KSC2003,
Another option to consider is Palm Cove very quiet and tranquil, some say too small but I love it.
Transport links are ok too, some trips go from the jetty.
Try www.oasis-palmcove.com.au
www.palmcove.net

Muck

I want to second the recommendation for Lilybank B&B. Pat and Mike are wonderful hosts, the rooms are nice, and it's just generally a great place to stay. I could run for most of the day on the breakfast they serve! It comes is FAR under that $250AUD price range too, so you have more money for tours. (Try the "Play Postie for a Day" trip run by York Air. It will be something that will have your friends staring open mouthed when you get back.)

Hi, I found some helpful websites for a stay in Port Douglas.
http://www.portdouglasaccom.com.au/
and

http://www.portdouglasgetaways.com.au/

hope that helps!

Slee

Thanks Kim - In 10 years, Kim is the only American I've booked on Play Postie for a Day although loads of Aussies from "down south" make it a priority when the come to North Qld. www.capeyorkair.com.au Their experienced bush pilots fly to five outback airmail services on different days of the week and whilst their priority is given to mail and freight going to outback stations (ranches) From May-November in the "dry" season they fly over the GBR, all the way from Cairns to the tip of Cape York and include Thursday Island(Saturdays only).

This is another high, high recommendation for Pat's B&B Lilybank. Each morning's breakfast was a highlight, the food delicious and the setting idyllic. Pat has a huge knowledge of available tours etc. and arranged for us to be picked up and dropped off at Lilybank's door.