Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Information
Commercially run tour-booking companies are strung along Williams Esplanade; the
Cairns & Tropical North Visitor Information Centre (
Click here
) in Cairns can help with
bookings.
Paradise Village Shopping Centre
(113 Williams Esplanade)
has a post office (with internet access,
$4 per hour), small supermarket and newsagent.
Ellis Beach
Ellis Beach is the last (and possibly best) of the northern beaches and the closest to the
highway, which runs right past it. The long sheltered bay is a stunner, with a palm-fringed,
patrolled swimming beach and stinger net in summer.
Daily events at
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
(
07-4055 3576;
www.crocodileadventures.com
; adult/
child $33/17.50; 8.30am-5pm daily)
include tours of this croc farm, along with feedings,
'crocodile attack' shows, and boat cruises on its lagoon. The park is just up the highway
in Wangetti Beach.
Ellis Beach Oceanfront Bungalows
( 1800 637 036, 07-4055 3538;
www.ellisbeach.com
; Captain Cook Hwy;
unpowered sites $32, powered sites $35-41, cabins without bathroom $95-115, bungalows $155-190; )
is a
beachfront slice of paradise, with camping, cabins and contemporary bungalows, all of
which enjoy widescreen ocean views.
8am-8pm daily)
has good food, great
Ellis Beach Bar 'n' Grill
(Captain Cook Hwy; mains $15-28;
views, live music Sundays from 1pm and pinball.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Islands off Cairns
Green Island
This beautiful coral cay is only 45 minutes from Cairns and has a rainforest interior with
interpretive walks, a fringing white-sand beach and snorkelling just offshore. You can
walk around the island in about 30 minutes.
The island and its surrounding waters are protected by their national- and marine-park
status.
Marineland Melanesia
(
07-4051 4032;
www.marinelandgreenisland.com.au
;
adult/child $18/8)
has an
