Best recommended activities and day trips to do on a budget in Cairns
Apr 13th, 2011, 03:50 AM
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Best recommended activities and day trips to do on a budget in Cairns
Hello, I have already posted a query on a reef trip, however am also wanting to know what other things can be done on a reasonable budget. My husband and I are flying to Cairns this June and hiring a car so will be wanting to explore Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas. We are interested in nature, such as the raintree forests, the reef of course and anything else of beauty or interest. Tropical North Qld, being the showcase of Australia, my research tells me most activities are quite expensive and by the time you pay for airfares, accomodation and car hire I want to try to do one or two day trips incorporating some fun activities. We will be staying in Palm Cove for 5 nights.
Apr 15th, 2011, 03:54 PM
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On our visits to Cairns we have taken guided day tours to Cape Tribulation, the Atherton Tablelands, the Undarra Lava Tubes. They were not terribly expensive and very worthwhile for the local informative commentary. During our second trip we hired a car and revisited some parts of the Tablelands, Mareeba, Lake Morris in the west ranges of Cairns - pretty drive, very tranquil, also known as Copperlode Dam - and for general looking around.
I have copied /pasted the following ideas from other people's posts some time ago if you feel guided tours are too expensive.
"To take in some of the most scenic parts of Tableland enroute to Mission Beach, turn right off Bruce Hwy at Gillies Highway, Gordonvale, south of Cairns. A long, winding, steep road with amazing views. Lake Barrine, crater lake is not far from top of Gillies; nice teahouse there and boat trip around rainforest surrounded lake. Nearby Lake Eacham is also worth a stop. See the giant curtain fig tree near Yungaburra, and have a look around the town - some nice old heritage buildings. Then take road to Malanda and on to Milla Milla for waterfalls (very lush, green dairy country), then take the Palmerston Hwy down to rather quaint Innisfail on river near coast, then on to Mission Beach where it would be nice to spend at least one night. Mission Beach is not far from grade 5 whitewater rafting on Tully River, and you could take a day trip over to Dunk Island.
Return to Cairns on Bruce Hwy, stopping off at Josephine Falls, Babinda Boulders, Paronella Park; all this area is also world heritage rainforest.
The Atherton trip is very manageable in one day although I don't know about the feasibility of going to Mission Beach and back in one day.
Cape Trib is a great trip, best to do with a guide so you get the benefit of the local knowledge. Also a very worthwhile-trip."
Whenever we plan a trip I spend many hours researching things to do, both guided and independently. We build into our cost some guided tours especially those to areas where the mileage is likely to be high, or access to some sights is only able with tours. When planning for Cairns both times we have been I found the Visitors Information Centre staff were extremely helpful, and responded quickly to emails.
I have copied /pasted the following ideas from other people's posts some time ago if you feel guided tours are too expensive.
"To take in some of the most scenic parts of Tableland enroute to Mission Beach, turn right off Bruce Hwy at Gillies Highway, Gordonvale, south of Cairns. A long, winding, steep road with amazing views. Lake Barrine, crater lake is not far from top of Gillies; nice teahouse there and boat trip around rainforest surrounded lake. Nearby Lake Eacham is also worth a stop. See the giant curtain fig tree near Yungaburra, and have a look around the town - some nice old heritage buildings. Then take road to Malanda and on to Milla Milla for waterfalls (very lush, green dairy country), then take the Palmerston Hwy down to rather quaint Innisfail on river near coast, then on to Mission Beach where it would be nice to spend at least one night. Mission Beach is not far from grade 5 whitewater rafting on Tully River, and you could take a day trip over to Dunk Island.
Return to Cairns on Bruce Hwy, stopping off at Josephine Falls, Babinda Boulders, Paronella Park; all this area is also world heritage rainforest.
The Atherton trip is very manageable in one day although I don't know about the feasibility of going to Mission Beach and back in one day.
Cape Trib is a great trip, best to do with a guide so you get the benefit of the local knowledge. Also a very worthwhile-trip."
Whenever we plan a trip I spend many hours researching things to do, both guided and independently. We build into our cost some guided tours especially those to areas where the mileage is likely to be high, or access to some sights is only able with tours. When planning for Cairns both times we have been I found the Visitors Information Centre staff were extremely helpful, and responded quickly to emails.
Apr 17th, 2011, 01:41 AM
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Thankyou Dotty, you have given me many ideas, I shall go and research now, covering most things we wish to do. I particularly like your idea of Yungaburra which I had not heard about and yes I am after day trips from Cairns or Palm Cove where we will actually be staying and will do a reef cruise on one of the days which are quite pricy when you add car hire on top, so will be looking at cheaper options for the rest of the trip.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Apr 17th, 2011, 06:56 PM
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NOT HEARD OF YUNGABURRA!
Just joking. It is my home village and has a great range of accommodation offerings. A great naturalist guide is based there and you would be surprised how much he could add to your experience of the area.
Have a look at http://www.yungaburra.com/ for accommodation, activities, attractions and guides.
Suggest that you plan to use the transfer bus to your accommodation and then to the reef trip departure and only hire your car after that. Then you can move your base to Yungaburra to explore the rainforests, waterfalls and lakes.
Just joking. It is my home village and has a great range of accommodation offerings. A great naturalist guide is based there and you would be surprised how much he could add to your experience of the area.
Have a look at http://www.yungaburra.com/ for accommodation, activities, attractions and guides.
Suggest that you plan to use the transfer bus to your accommodation and then to the reef trip departure and only hire your car after that. Then you can move your base to Yungaburra to explore the rainforests, waterfalls and lakes.
Apr 20th, 2011, 07:29 PM
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LOL AlanJG! That is showing my limited knowledge of the area isnt it? Thanks for your suggestion however I have already purchased accomodation in Palm Cove but will think on your suggestion to book a car maybe for the last 3 or 4 days of the week as we are going out on a reef tour and perhaps a tour of the rainforests. I will look at the link you have provided.
Apr 20th, 2011, 07:29 PM
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LOL AlanJG! That is showing my limited knowledge of the area isnt it? Thanks for your suggestion however I have already purchased accomodation in Palm Cove but will think on your suggestion to book a car maybe for the last 3 or 4 days of the week as we are going out on a reef tour and perhaps a tour of the rainforests. I will look at the link you have provided.
Apr 21st, 2011, 09:02 PM
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Hi, Dreams64, good idea to get a car for the last few days. That's what we did - we had our tours first and then picked up a rental.
If you do go to Yungaburra and are looking for a guide I'd look for a person who organises personalised tours for you. Look at the tours link on the Home page of the Yungaburra site Alan gave you.
If you get to Yungaburra you might be lucky enough to see a platypus, something I am still hoping to see!
Have a great trip.
If you do go to Yungaburra and are looking for a guide I'd look for a person who organises personalised tours for you. Look at the tours link on the Home page of the Yungaburra site Alan gave you.
If you get to Yungaburra you might be lucky enough to see a platypus, something I am still hoping to see!
Have a great trip.
Apr 21st, 2011, 10:04 PM
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Thanks. I have had a look at Yurrabunga and it does look lovely. My main issue at the moment is trying to decide which reef tour to go on, there are just so many options, its confusing. I want one which caters for beginners in scuba diving and also has the option of a glass bottom boat. Can anyone recommend one that they know of is really good or that they would recommend?
Apr 22nd, 2011, 06:25 AM
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Beginners in scuba diving? Does this mean you're a certified diver with not much experience, or are just after an introductory dive (also known as a "resort" dive, there are different criteria for each)
Apr 26th, 2011, 02:00 AM
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I would recommend "Billy Tea Tours" http://www.billytea.com.au/index you might enjoy the Daintree 1 day safari including river cruise (you will see crocodiles up close in their natural habitat). I really enjoyed the tour but it does take the whole day.
Apr 26th, 2011, 01:05 PM
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Hi, Alan. Thanks. I will be there within the next 4 years! DH wants to visit Perth before we return to Cairns.
Didn't realise Billy Tea Tours is still around. We did the Cape Trib day tour with them, and found it an enjoyable and informative day. Only saw a couple of crocodiles but quite a lot of birdlife.
Didn't realise Billy Tea Tours is still around. We did the Cape Trib day tour with them, and found it an enjoyable and informative day. Only saw a couple of crocodiles but quite a lot of birdlife.
