Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Book early, as game boats are reserved months in advance. Game fishers can also
battle Pacific sailfish, dogtooth and yellow-fin tuna, Spanish mackerel, wahoo,
dolphinfish, barracuda, and tiger shark. Reef anglers can expect to land coral
trout, red emperor (sea perch), and sweetlip. Mangrove jack, barramundi, and
tarpon lurk in the estuaries. Check out www.fishingcairns.com.au or contact
Destination Cairns Marketing,
36 Aplin St. (at Sheridan St.;
&
1800/807
730
in Australia, or 07/4051 4066), to book a charter. Expect to pay around
A$400 (US$260) per person or about A$1,900 (US$1,235) per day for a sole
charter for heavy-tackle game fishing, A$295 (US$192) per person for light
tackle stuff, from A$145 (US$94) for reef fishing, and A$130 (US$85) for a day
or A$75 (US$49) for a half day in the Cairns Inlet estuary.
WHITE-WATER RAFTING
Several companies offer exciting white-water-
rafting trips from Cairns on the Class III to IV
Tully River
, 90 minutes
south of Cairns near Mission Beach; the Class III Barron River in the hills
behind the city; and the Class IV to V rapids of the inland Johnstone River. One
of the best is
RnR Rafting
(
&
07/4051 7777
).
One-day trips on the Tully are the most popular (see “Mission Beach: The
Cassowary Coast,” later in this chapter). The trip costs A$145 (US$94) from
Cairns, or A$160 (US$104) from Port Douglas, including transfers.
Closer to Cairns, the gentler
Barron River
is a good choice for the timid. The
half-day trip with RnR Rafting costs about A$83 (US$54) from Cairns or A$94
(US$61) from Port Douglas, including pickup from your accommodations and
2-hours' rafting. There is also a A$6 (US$3.90) National Park fee.
WHERE TO STAY
High season in Cairns includes 2 weeks at Easter, the period from early July to
early October, and the Christmas holiday through January. Book ahead in those
periods, and in low season (Nov-June) many hotels offer discount rates or are
willing to negotiate.
Cairns has a good supply of affordable accommodations, both in the heart of
the city and along the northern beaches. Or you can choose to stay in the peace-
ful village of Kuranda, or get away from it all at an island resort.
Don't think you have to stay in Cairns city if you don't have a car. Most tour
and cruise operators will pick you up and drop you off in Cairns, on the north-
ern beaches, or even in Port Douglas (see section 3, later in this chapter).
IN CAIRNS
Unless noted otherwise, all accommodations below are within walking distance
of shops, restaurants, cinemas, the casino, the tourist office, bus terminals, the
train station, and the departure terminals for Great Barrier Reef cruises.
Very Expensive
Hotel Sofitel Reef Casino
Arguably the most stylish property in Cairns,
this six-story hotel is 1 block from the water, with partial water views from some
rooms, and nice city/hinterland outlooks from others. All the rooms, which have
lots of light and high-quality amenities, come with Jacuzzis, bathrobes, and
small balconies with smart timber furniture. The Cairns casino is attached to the
hotel (see “Cairns After Dark,” later in this chapter).
35-41 Wharf St., Cairns, QLD 4870.
&
1800/808 883
in Australia, 800/221-4542 in the U.S. and Canada,
020/8283 4500 in the U.K., 0800/44 4422 in New Zealand, or 07/4030 8888. Fax 07/4030 8777. www.accor
hotels.com. 128 units. A$325-A$600 (US$211-US$390) double; A$710-A$2,000 (US$462-US$1,300) suite.
Extra person A$33 (US$21). Children under 15 stay free in parent's room with existing bedding. AE, DC, MC, V.
