Are we there yet?

[Pamdiv]

Our trip is planned, everything is confirmed, and we practically on our way! I can't wait. We will be in Cairns for a week, a 5 day liveaboard with Taka, a camping trip to Ayers Rock, and topping it off with 3 days in Sydney. Cairns has a few days that are unplanned, as well as a couple of days in Sydney. Anyone have any suggestions of some cool things to do topside in Cairns and in Sydney?
Pam

 

[ChrisM]

Sydney, no, but there's plenty on that.

Cairns - you will do yourself a great disservice if you do not go up and spend some time in the Daintree, a couple hours' drive north of Cairns and Port Douglas. Lots of places to stay, but a unique and very very cheap one is Crocodylus Hostel http://www.crocodyluscapetrib.com/

Yeah, it's a hostel, but it's not really a hostel, cabins set up in the trees, integrated with the rainforest. It's awesome, been there twice and would go back in a second. Also go visit the flying foxes at the Bat House, up at Cape Tribulation.

I also have a trip report at http://www.underwaterplanet.com/Oz Report 2.htm

We also camped from Alice Spings to Ayers. Amazing part of the country

Have a blast!!
Chris

 

[caymaniac]

What kind of things do you like to do? If you would like to see some local art (aboriginal) , there is plenty downtown Cairns plus if you were thinking of taking the "Sky/Rail" you could take a ride above the rainforest and Kurunda is at the top. Kurunda has a small tourist area village as well as a park where wallabies and kangaroos are running around. Also in the village is a bird aviary and a small reptile barn. At the bottom of the rainforest there is a tourist area called "Japuqai"sp?, where there are some aboriginal dances.
One of the most interesting things that we did was take a tour called "wait-a-while" tour. It took us on some walks in the rainforest in the afternoon pointing out different species of plants/birds. Then the tour did a tea at a mountain lake where we again diod a walk. We then went on a private property area where you could see the duck-billed platypus in the wild. Then we did dinner at a mountain cabin and then we took spotlights back into the rainforest to spot tree kangaroos, and a number of other marsupials and reptiles. On the end of the tour we stopped at some large 6ft. termite mounds. It was sort of like diving being able to see the different types of wildlife in the TableLands.
There are some good restaurants in Cairns, we had to try an appetizer of Kangaroo and Croc.
We took a liveaboard out of Port Douglas and went by boat (ferry) from Cairns to Port Douglas. We also spent a day riding the public transportation and going to relax at Palm Cove on the beach.

 

[almitywife]

Sydney:
do the Sydney Harbour bridge walk - even the locals do this as its so cool.
http://www.bridgeclimb.com/

Go to Taronga Zoo - not so much for the animals (which are great) but because they sit on the best real estate in Sydney with fantastic views

for something silly - the Aussie Duck tour. Go to see koalas and then a tour of sydney harour in one of those silly trucks that goes into the water.
http://www.sydneydaytours.com.au/myweb2/kpad1_copy(1).htm

or just go to Circular Quay at the Rocks and grab a ferry for a few dollars and see the harbour yourself-take a picnic lunch to eat at Manly.

Darling harbour for Sydney Acquarium or Maritime Museum.

otherwise a small dive and nothing too challenging?? Magic Point at Marubra if the grey nurse sharks are in, sea horses at Balmoral nets (10ft dive) or weddy sea dragons at Kurnell

http://www.allsydneytours.com/?gclid=CMvu3r64j4UCFU9bIgodHH6tFA for some more ideas

i see that you sing opera - you can do a tour of the place or catch a concert
http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/

hope this helps and pm me if you have any questions i could help you with

cheers

 

[Pamdiv]

Those are some great ideas, Caymaniac. Thanks. The rainforest trip sounds interesting, and I would love to see platpi (?) in the wild. How about Sydney? Anyone? We do have tix to see an opera at the opera house. Is there other 'must see's in Sydney?
Pam

 

[Pamdiv]

Sydney:
do the Sydney Harbour bridge walk - even the locals do this as its so cool.
http://www.bridgeclimb.com/

Go to Taronga Zoo - not so much for the animals (which are great) but because they sit on the best real estate in Sydney with fantastic views

for something silly - the Aussie Duck tour. Go to see koalas and then a tour of sydney harour in one of those silly trucks that goes into the water.
http://www.sydneydaytours.com.au/myweb2/kpad1_copy(1).htm

or just go to Circular Quay at the Rocks and grab a ferry for a few dollars and see the harbour yourself-take a picnic lunch to eat at Manly.

Darling harbour for Sydney Acquarium or Maritime Museum.

otherwise a small dive and nothing too challenging?? Magic Point at Marubra if the grey nurse sharks are in, sea horses at Balmoral nets (10ft dive) or weddy sea dragons at Kurnell

http://www.allsydneytours.com/?gclid=CMvu3r64j4UCFU9bIgodHH6tFA for some more ideas

i see that you sing opera - you can do a tour of the place or catch a concert
http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/

hope this helps and pm me if you have any questions i could help you with

cheers

Wonderful suggestions, Amitywife. We are doing a luncheon cruise of the harbour during our layover before Cairns. The bridge climb would be great if I wasn't so deathly afraid of heights. I check out the websites and see. Thanks for the information.
Pam

 

[Skeeter1097]

I am sure you well have a grate time. I wish that I was a diver when I was there.

 

[almitywife]

ok, afraid of heights and already doing the Opera house.....

what about a day trip to the hunter valley wine region??? http://www.allsydneytours.com/Body.asp?Page=TourDetails&tour=SYD-B0008

when are you arrriving as the whales are due to migrate thru next month (a mum and calf already went past last week) and up at Nelson Bay (2hr drive north) you can do a whale or dolphin cruise also

or a night ghost walk tour around Quarantine Station at Manly; http://manlyquarantine.com/QSmain.htm

oh - and for a totally girly thing to do... High Tea at the QVB Tea Room! http://www.thetearoom.com.au/ easy to fit in among the shopping and walking around

oh - just another thought, Sydney Olympic Park always has something going on; http://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/visiting/whats_on/events_by_month even if to check out the aquatic centre and go for a swim or do some archery. they also do Trapize training workshops a few days a week to get over that heights thing

Museum of Contempory Art at the Rocks, or our Art Gallery followed by a walk down to go to Harry's Cafe de'Wheels at Woolloomooloo and get a pie with peas and mash (go at night-yum).

Markets - Paddington Markets on Saturday and the Rocks Markets all weekend

 

[Darnold9999]

Afraid of hights - might not work, but a sunrise balloon ride over the tablelands was very nice.

The rail up to Kuranda and the tram back down and then pop in to Tjapukai for a meal and the evening show was a good day. Probably the best selection of aboriginal art you will find. Not inexpensive, but lots of variety and good quality as far as I could tell.

Palm Cove is a very nice beach - we stayed for almost two weeks as a base to see Queensland (or at least as much as you can see in day trips from there).