Songdoc

I've gotten some incredible, very generous info on this forum and finally decided on which of the GBR islands ...

BUT ... DP (who leaves the travel research to me -- but retains veto power) has decided that staying on a GBR island for four or five days would be boring since we don't enjoy laying on the beach or at a pool, snorkeling or diving. Our preferences are long nature walks (as opposed to strenuous hikes), lots of beautiful scenery, and wildlife spotting.

With only 4 or 5 nights total in the Queensland area, we've decided not to split our time between an island and the mainland -- because we prefer having a base to constantly packing and traveling and getting used to a new place.

So ... the latest thought is to stay somewhere around Port Douglas -- possibly the Lychee Tree; Thala Beach Lodge; Pink Flamingo, or someplace similar. We're leaning toward an apartment where we can prepare some of our own meals -- but Thala Beach Lodge looks soooo nice.) We'll take a day cruise to one or more of the islands. Given what we enjoy, does this seem like a good plan?

First question: we'll be arriving June 11 ... is this a peak time? Meaning ... do I need to book my lodging far in advance -- or would I be safe waiting until a couple of weeks out and hopefully getting lower rates on wotif.com?

The sites that seem most interesting to us are: the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sancturary; Cape Tribulation Park; Daintree National Park (and River Cruise); and Kuranda Skyrail Cable Way.

Should we rent a car in Cairns and drive to self-tour these locations? Or would it be difficult to drive to these locations?

We prefer going at our own pace -- but have had instances where we were very grateful to have taken a guided tour because the areas would have been terribly confusing or treacherous to drive.

Thanks so much for your continued help.

Saltuarius

Songdoc,
I have not stayed at any of those accommodations so will not comment on that. Though I too like to be able to self cater some of the time.

Those areas are not difficult to drive to and having your own transport allows for flexibility. June is the beginning of the high season in north Queensland and as such you may not get your first choice acommodation if you leave booking until late. However you will get something for sure.

For long nature walks and actually seeing the wildlife in the wild it is hard to beat the Atherton Tablelands but I think that might be your next trip. it is usually the experienced traveller who bases himself on the Tablelands and even does reef tripsfrom there. It does make it a tiring day however to drive down the range, spend a day on the water and then drive back. Not that far just requires plenty of concentration.

Bushranger

June is a popular time for NQ but not as popular as later months for Australians when the winter blues may have set in down south and some are looking for a warming break.
Aussies have all their taxation issues to start working on about the end of June and there's no school holidays scheduled until late June or July.

Couple that with less Aussie holiday takers and Overseas visitors because of the GEC and I reckon if you have a range of places to consider you'll not have too great a problem getting accommodation and there's a massive ammount of it about Cairns and heading up the northern beaches way from *** to *****.

Personally I was more impressed with sweating out a few litres doing a climb to up near the top of Mt Sorrow at Cape Tribulation than the Kuranda train/skrail but certainly some lovely scenery and waterfalls ought to be still flowing well in early June, a lot better than when I went and so that contributed to my disappointment.

The Daintree and Cape Tribulation areas have a reasonable number of walks other than the more strenuous Cape Sorrow [aptly named].

Whilst you coulf find self driving handy for a couple of days, you will be able to book a tour for the Kuranda deal and many other places and as a general rule pick ups are done from Lodgings.
If you want to have included a good ammount of walking do be selective for some are a lot of mini bussing/4WD with minimal walking.

Without staying on an island, I'd recommend taking a ferry out to Fitzroy Island as some quite good walking there, probably sufficient for a day as well as an around island kayak that did include stopping off at the channel between Little and Main Fitz., some superb fish snorkelling to be had there.

www.fitzroyisland.com.au takes you to the resort redevelopers site but go to www.ragingthunder.com.au and there's an online chat facility and if interested you could ask whether the kayak trips are still a go with the redevelopment.
Along with Pat they should be able to advise on what tours provide the maximum ammount of walking.

Know you do not want to split but a couple of nights up at www.capetribbeach.com.au in a rainforest cottage and you really feel it, and plenty of like B&Bs and resorts about the Daintree.

If you stay northern beaches way you'll be able to get a bus down to CairnsCBD/Wharves.

afterall

I would most definitely allow time for a guided tour on one day and would suggest the Daintree/Cape Trib area. Why? You won't "see" what there is to see if you don't! You are talking a whole new flora and fauna and you really do get the most out of it when you're accompanied by a local who knows what they are looking at - plus can let you in on tales of what plants might be used for, or the interesting habits of some animals.

Much more fun!! And something else I wouldn't dream of missing is a "night safari". Does that appeal at all?

Cheers.

RalphR

songdoc: One suggestion for long walks with wildlife spotting is Undara. Not only does Undara have its famous and incredibly interesting lava tubes, it also has an excellent system of trails through the surrounding gulf savannah. Easier to see animals there than in the rainforest. Definitely worth a full day, two nights stay!

Personally, I would pick Cape Trib over Port Douglas and Kuranda as a place for walks. Much less commercialized, too.

I was last up in North Queensland last July. Check out my trip report (and pictures)for more ideas...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35147730

Songdoc

Again, many thanks to all for such great info. FYI, Pt. Douglas will simply be a convenient base from which to explore the area.

Ralph -- your trip report and photos were terrific and very helpful. I made lots of notes.

We're not typically a fan of guided tours, but I can see why in this instance it might be helpful. And a night safari definitely appeals.

Taking the ferry to Fitzroy Island looks like exactly the kind of thing we have in mind.

I'm getting excited!!!

BarbaraS

We stayed in Port Douglas on our recent trip and I thought it was a great place to use as a base. Here's a link to my trip report http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35171627

Songdoc

Hi Barbara --

Loved your report. Really glad to hear that Port Douglas worked so well as a base -- and that you were able to drive everywhere (as opposed to needing guided tours).

By the way ... I don't know about anybody else, but having had the Forum closed for update yesterday made me realize I'M ADDICTED. The changes look good!

pat_woolford

Songdoc - a great day tour of rainforests around Daintree and Cape Tribulation is run by Pete Baxendell - www.nqhit.com.au Pete will get you well off the beaten track into areas where tours don't go and his local knowledge is remarkable. Do book early though, he fills up quickly and numbers are limited. He'll pick you up (and drop you off) at Port Douglas, if that is where you decide to stay.