Advice On Trip To Cairns

s0805 on 14/02/2016 - 14:40
Last edited 14/02/2016 - 16:00 by 1 other user

Hi there,

Planning a trip to Cairns in a week. Spending a few days in Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas. Accommodation and car rental sorted, finalizing activities now. Need you assistance/feedback on below items please. Reviewed bookme.com.au but can't seem to have many deals on what we plan to do.

• Need to arrange a transport from Cairns Airport to CBD. Cheapest I could find was $13.50 pp using RACV. Any other options ?
  I guess distance is quite long so walking is out of question? Can't seem to get pricing for Cairns public transport, if any?
• Thinking of buying combo price for Hartley's & Cairns Tropical Zoo? Cheapest found is $57.60 using RACV. Any other ideas?
• We are both non-swimmers, and were reviewing a few reef options and based on some strong recommendation, we looking at heading to Michaelmas Cay. We cannot decide between oceanspirit.com.au or seastarcruises.com.au. Any of you have experienced using these guys or reef in question
• We are thinking of driving to Atherton Tablelands from Palm Cove, and Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation. Is that the best idea or
  booking a tour is recommended? Anything to look out for when self drive? Are roads to both locations ok for a rental car?
  especially to Cape Tribulation.

Any advice/recommendation on any activities welcome.

Cheers !

• 

  captobvious on 14/02/2016 - 15:08

  1. Get a rental car at the airport, best way to get around cairns is to drive. Free parking on the road in CBD Overnight.
  2. thats a good price for the zoo/crocs
  3. Are you asian? No point going to the reef if you are not going to swim. Must as well go to the aquarium instead.
  4. Cairns is drive-able, people have kangaroos as pets and tell the time using the palm of their hands, roads are sealed. Bring a GPS.
  • 

    spackbace on 14/02/2016 - 15:14

    Get a rental car at the airport

    I'm assuming OP is trying to avoid the exorbitant fees they charge by picking up at airport vs picking up elsewhere

    OP have you tried an Uber quote? Especially with a referral bonus or discount code

    • 

      captobvious on 14/02/2016 - 15:22

      Depending on the car. based on a 5 day trip which is the average for cairns. Picking up the car from the airport or the city is a difference of $30

      HYundai I20 5door from Europcar - 5 day rental $162.34 pick up from City or $190 from airport, that's $28. Taxi will cost you that alone, uber, maybe $15.

      If they stay even shorter then there is savings already and convenience, also means your return trip to the airport to depart is also covered, so some savings there too.

      • 

        spackbace on 14/02/2016 - 15:23

        Yeah fair point, it's annoying but it's convenient.

        Also, on further research, Uber isn't really in Cairns :/

      • 

        s0805 on 14/02/2016 - 15:35

        @Spackbace:

        thanks guys. We are spending first few days in Cairns CBD so not hiring car for those days. Saving everything we can. plan is to attend reef during this time. Actually Uber is good idea, I'll look into it.

        This is the second time we are going and last time we spend a day @ Green Island. Did helmet diving and all possible non-swimmer things. Advise we've got is michaelmas cay is much much better than any reef given most of the coral life is not far away. getting confsued with selection of Oceanspirit and Seastar both seems to provide floating vests and one has glass bottom and another has sub marine tour….

        keen to know anyone had exp using these guys or the reef location…

      • 

        s0805 on 14/02/2016 - 15:40

        @Spackbace:

        just read your comment again…no Uber in cairns. too bad

• 

  DeadlySaber on 15/02/2016 - 18:08

  I'm in a similar situation and quite interested in this thread. We're going there mid March for 4 days in a gang of 6, 2 able bodies, 2 near seniors and 2 kids. I'm the only swimmer out of 6. $350 Airbnb house for 4 nights and $272 people mover rental car rental for the whole period are sorted.

  It's giving me headache try to sort out places, activities, restaurants…to satisfy everyone especially for the 2 near seniors and 2 kids. We all want to experience the Great Barrier Reef but I'm the only one willing to get wet. Rental car with unlimited km so we can travel pretty far. Really appreciate your suggestions for places to see, to eat, activities and itinerary for 4 days to maximize our stay.

  Sorry for hijacking your thread S0805, I just don't want to create another similar topic/question.

  • 

    s0805 on 16/02/2016 - 13:07

    +2

    Lang, I've been @ Cairns before with family all 4 adults non swimmers…I recommend following based on my exp.. and 4 days i think should be enough.

    I suggest trip to Green Island for all of you….Non swimmers can do Helmet diving (Expensive but recommended), glass bottom tour, submarine tour. swimmers can do snorkelling and seniors can relax in water or at beach. buy the tour with Lunch. for helmet diving kids have to be at least 12 yr old i think…check there website. Once u decide what you want to do go to www.cairnsdiscounttours.com.au and they should be able to give you 10% off on your total expense….Note green Island could be bit busy….

    Suggest day trip to Kurunda, prefer going one way to skyrail and back by train. Check out www.bookme.com.au they may have some offers going on. If you are part any motoring group e.g. RACV you should be able to get 10% discount….Lunch in Kurunda and butterfly sanctuary is ok….

    Drive to Cape Tribulation via Port douglas….I've not been to CT. But leave early if you can….

    Last day, relaxing spend some time in CBD, botanic gardens, consider Rusty market, Cairns Night market, Saint Monicas Cathedral OR

    If you don't want to relax, Drive to Atherton tableland….

    Hope that helps & have a good holiday..

• 

  JayEmmGee on 17/02/2016 - 13:39

  Honest question here, I am curious of the appeal of beach holidays if you are a non swimmer?