Hiya
Young mum and dad with a two year old and three year old and we are thinking of moving to Cairns, Queensland. So we are trying to locate a house in Cairns (near the beach), with pool, two or three bedroom, too rent over the 2010 xmas period. Not quite sure where to start looking, but we were hoping to get a taste of the Aussie,Cairn life, and what better way to do so.
Does anybody know, or can please direct me in the right place.
Best wishes
MummyJez

Can't help with that, sorry, but unless things have changed since I was last there you can't actually get a house near the beach in Cairns itself, as there isn't a beach. You need to go some way out of town, e.g. Palm Cove.

Hi Neil_OZ... thanks so much for the reply.. sorry we are so newbie on Australia.. but anywhere in Queensland thats not so far in the country (if that makes sense). we would hire a car, so it doesn't have to be on or very near the beach. Will google Palm Cove for info.
Many many thanks
x

MummyJez, no sorries needed - and what you wnat to do is definitely doable but as you recognise needs a lot more homework. Be careful when you say "anywhere in Queensland thats not so far in the country" - it's a huge state encompassing a number of climate zones, and the driving distance from the state capital of Brisbane to Cairns is about 1,700 km or 1,050 miles.

Definitely get a guidebook - I should suggest Fodors but I think for what you have in mind Lonely Planet might be more appropriate. Plus a nice big map. Plus this forum of course.

hee hee.. I can see the problem.. might end up in the middle of nowhere.

I think you are right.. back to the map and alot more research.
(might take a tent with me just in case

mummyjez, I live in Cairns or at least about 8km north of the city. The northern beaches of Cairns string from Machans in the south which is a little north of the city to Palm Cove in the north, you might want to look at Holloways, Yorkeys, Trinity , Kewarra, Clifton just before Palm Cove. Palm Cove is the priciest usually, but it depends on the house. There's no actual beachfront in Cairns city as its a harbour. However there is a large stinger free all-season safe swimming lagoon on the Esplanade, used and appreciated by many a local and tourist. And little kids just love it and Muddies playground, nearby.

But not many of the northern slightly inland suburbs of Cairns are far from the beaches, some, such as Redlynch, Freshwater, Stratford, Caravonica, Whitfield, Edge Hill (part of it probably the premium rated suburb of Cairns) with rainforest areas which may appeal more. Just my opinion, but as a local I find the rainforest areas far more attractive and intersting than those of the beaches, unless you can afford absolute beachfront. Check for holiday and longer rentals, www.accomcairns.com.au, been around for years.

Hi Pat_woolford.

WOW.. thank you for that. this is perfect. My eyes are abit square from all the searching, and I think a few people in Australia might be receiving very strange emails indeed.

I can see how silly my first questions was.. or should i say how random. I love the idea of not just being on the beach, as we want to make it abit more Suburb 'type' so we can get a more 'realistic' experience.

With two little ones, I just can't wait for them to be outside... (including myself and my hubby) - we live for our bbq (if you can call the small little circle sitting in the rain and snow).

thanks alot of your help
x

That's OK, mummujez, but looking at your other post have to agree with ivenot......... - far more likely to find scaffolding work in Brisbane or Gold Coast than Cairns. Cairns and area has suffered severely from global financial crisis in terms of tourism, many tradesmen have left town.