mary

Planning a trip to Australia for 2 weeks in June. Plan to stay 1 week in Cairns/Great Barrier Reef area. We would like a good intro to the rainforest and diving. Any recommendations? Any oponions on Daintree Eco Lodge? Siljy Oaks? Lizard Island? Thanks!

Peg

Mary, use Port Douglas as your base, it is just north of Cairns and is where the raintree forests meet the reef. No matter where else we travel all over the world, whenever we have a week and the money to spare we head there. You can get an apartment there, hire a car, for a fraction of the costs of the other places you mentioned and still have the same experiences. There isn't even a McDonalds there and the locals are trying darn hard to keep it that way. Just imagine yourselves sitting at sunset, eating prawns, sipping your wine or cold beer and watching the fishing boats come in. All for about $6. I think it is time I went and booked ourselves another holiday there (grin)

peg

Mary, I have found a great site for you to check out. www.great-barrier-reef.com hope you can get it. Peg

Andree

Mary, I agree with Peg in that you should use Port Douglas as your base. We were there last July. There are many hotels to choose from and lots of day cruises for diving, exploring the rain forest. We recommend Gary`s Safari to explore the rainforest. It was very personalized (only the 4 of us and the driver in the vehicule) and you get to see things that you wouldn't if you were on one of those big tour buses. The driver was very knowledgeable of the rainforest. We got to go to Cape Tribulation, then cruising on a small electric boat looking for "salties" on the Daintree River and explore the rain forest, even having tea right in the middle of it !

I also recommend this site: www.greatbarrierreef.aus.net

That how I found accomodations and activities. Let me know if I can be of further help!

mary

Just wanted to say thanks- the Web site you mentioned is great! Thanks so much for the tip!

suzanne dobosz

My family and I have stayed at Daintree and it was wonderful. Yes Port Douglas has more activity but is that what you are looking for? Daintree has a gourmet restaurant and breakfast is served in a treehouse like pavillon where the tv is and games ect. The beach is wonderful for horseback riding and there is plenty of rainforest hiking. The accomodations are unique and exceptional. Cabins sitting on stilts in the trees with full bathrooms and ceiling fans. Also the rooms come with your own wildlife. Small furry creatures that eat your soap and shampoo-really no bother just add to the excitement and the fact that you really are in the wild. If you have more questions feel free to email me as I am a travel agent and will tell you the truth.