[Where is it? How to get there?] [What can I do at Cairns?] [Kuranda] [Great Keppel Island] [Airlie Beach / Whitsundays] [Other Websites] [Photo]
Travellers' notes welcomed here
Where else to dive but at one of the world's natural marvels - The Great Barrier Reef? Stretching for more than 2,000 km along the coast of Queensland, Cairns is arguably its 'capital' but there are several towns along the coast that may well prove to be a better bargain than Cairns. 2 alternatives that I highly recommend are Whitsundays and the Great Keppel Island.
By public transport, Cairns is easily reached by bus or train. A Greyhound bus from Brisbane (Queensland's city) takes approximately 28 hours; not discounting the fact that delays for up to 6 hours are extremely likely. A slightly costlier choice (though more reliable) is the Queensland Rail. It takes about 32 hours but you have a choice of sleeping berths or reclining seats, shower compartments and restaurant cars. The Rail makes a pretty cosy and comfortable ride, if you ask me.
Nearly everything that you can do there is sea-related: snorkelling, scuba diving, white water rafting, surfing, taking a cruise ... However, if you are not a "sea person", you may contemplate sun-bathing (it's cheap, anyhow), visit nearby town Kuranda, bungee jumping or skydiving.
There are several cruise operators at Cairns offering different packages to suit every budget. Check out the numerous brochures at your hotel lobby or tourist center and your friendly receptionist may just help you to make the bookings.
At Cairns, I took a full day cruise to Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef that included a smorgasbord lunch, snorkel, banana boat rides and a glass bottom boat for only A$45. For an extra A$45, you get an "introductory" dive of 25 min thrown in.
Michaelmas Cay (an island of dead corals) provides a spectacular scene of thousands of birds nesting and swooping everywhere. The calm, sheltered waters at the beach also provides for rewarding snorkelling in its crystal clear waters. After the 'starter' course at Michaelmas Cay, Hastings Reef offer a real delicious 'main' with colourful exotic reef fish, reef sharks, dolphins and whales during their migration.
If you are not merely contented with hand-holding introductory dives, have 4 days to a week to spare and about A$350-500, you may want to become a licensed PADI diver. Dive shops abound, so shop around for a package that suits your timing and budget. Another destination for the course is Whitsundays.
There are basic requirements to fulfill: a clean slate of health (i.e. medical examination) and the ability to swim.
What better souvenir to bring back home than a nice bronze tan. But chances are, besides that tan, you have probably brought back higher chances of skin cancer. So, if you MUST indulge in this melanin-charring activity, slather on a waterproof sunblock that's at least SPF 15.
Mind you, these activities do not come cheap. Besides the fact that Cairns is such a touristy place, the sea view at 10,000' is definitely something to behold. And for that, you pay a premium compared to an inland jump say at Gatton (mid Queensland) where I did mine. Read about my Skydiving experience.
For those trill seekers who actually Did It, there is usually an enticing array of merchandise to remember your foolhardiness by: certificates, photos, videos and T-shirts that scream "I Survived!" Therefore, be prepared to dig deeper into your pocket.
Sorry, if you say that after you have gotten onto the cruise: it's too late. Take the pills an hour before the cruise if you have been a land lumber for the better part of your life. However, in the event that you overestimated your ability to conquer the rough seas, ask your cruise operator for some sea sick pills. They usually stock up for pathetic situations like yours.
There is however a 'whimsical' psychological method to be proven. Tell yourself that you are riding the choppy seas and expect to bob up and down. You see, the theory goes that the reason why you throw up your breakfast is because your mind isn't used to that up-down motion of being on sea.
Lean over the rail, if all measures fail.
A day trip up north from Cairns will allow you to cover this touristy town pretty well. Trains leave daily from Cairns from 9 a.m. Some notable attractions are the Kuranda Rail and the Aborigine Cultural dance. Handicrafts made by the locals are also good buys.
To get to the island, you will have to take a catamaran from Rockhampton - Australia's largest town on the Tropic of Capricorn. There are several types of accommodation on the island but I find the Youth Hostel a good bet. It is clean, well kept and best of all, you get to meet travellers of other nationalities in the pantry or in your dormitory. On my visit there, I shared the dormitory and my hot chocolate with an Australian family of 4 and best of all, I met a 6' 6" (whoa!) Canadian backpacker with whom I'm still in contact with today.
The main attraction is of course the beach! Stretches of fine white sands fringe by coconut trees make strolling on the beach great fun even in winter. In my opinion, sitting by the lapping waves under a canopy of stars at night is ten times more memorable than jamming with the pubbing crowd.
Water sports such as jet skiing and banana boat rides are especially popular during summer. Cruises to scenic spots for snorkelling and scuba diving are available throughout the year.
Airlie Beach is the name of the town closest to 'Whitsundays', the collective name of 74 islands along the Great Barrier Reef.
This town unlike Rockhampton has a genial and friendly feel to it. There is a pulsating rhythm probably due to the many young tourists who surf or dive in the day and swarm the pubs at night. The main street is lined both sides with ice-cream parlours, cafes, souvenir shops and dive/cruise organisers so window shopping is a breeze with outside cafes providing shade and cool drinks.
Most of the islands are national parks and 7 have resorts to suit a wide range of tastes and budgets. Some of the islands that I visited on a cruise are Hook Is., South Molle Is. and Daydream Is. If sea sports or roaming around is what you are looking for, it is advisable to stay put at one island for at least a day: moving around different islands take up too much time.
On Cairns
Cruise packages for Black
Marlin fishing
Disclaimer: all prices and details of tours are subject to change by the vendor(s). The author shall not be held liable for any inaccuracies in information provided herewith.
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