colinmorgan

Hi All,

Can anyone recommend any reasonably priced holiday accommodation suitable for children (nice pool etc.) in Cairns/Port Douglas?

Any recommended day trips?

Thanks

Colin

mlbonner

I did this day trip a couple of years ago. Can't recommend it enough, had an absolutely fabulous day - I was by myself when I boarded and had a heap of friends when I got off.

Bix da Boss

Hi Colin

We live in CAIRNS which is about 2hrs drive away from PORT DOUGLAS.

It will probably be cheaper to stay in Cairns and travel up to Port Douglas for a day trip or stay one night - looked at different hotels at P.D. only this week, most were quite expensive for a family. Cairns has numerous accom on offer - cheap to very expensive - just go to GOOGLE put in Cairns Australia and it will bring up all sorts of links for your to browse through.

There is a lot to see and do if you did base yourself in Cairns and do day trips,Great Barrier Reef, Skyrail, Esplanade (kids love it there) Tablelands,Aboriginal Culture Centre, The Dome (wildlife of OZ), Wild Life Sactuary, Botanic Gardens, numerous walks, beaches etc etc.

If you want any other info just send us a PM

Hope this helps and if you do get here maybe you could look us up - if you're brave that is!!!!!!! As the LION might not like it!!!!!!!! (BIX)

Lunnons

We stayed at The Lakes Cairns Resort & Spa - quite expensive but the apartments were fantastic with fully fitted kitchens two bathrooms, balcony etc - and there are about three swimming pools to choose from. We also went on a quick silver tour to the Low Isles which was brillant and great value for money - and a really great day!!!

Have a great time!

Helen

melibeam

Two years ago we stayed in Trinity Bay, which is between Cairns and Port Douglas. The apartment we stayed in was in the Coral Sands resort and it was fantastic, lovely pool, just across road from beach and had nice bar/restaurant. It was just a short bus or taxi ride into Cairns and even nearer to Port Douglas. Our kids loved the pool there and still talk about it.

rob&lucy

We stayed in the YHA in Port Douglas which has been re-done since i was there earlier. They do have family rooms which have a queen size bed and bunkbeds. It's about 5 min to walk into town and they have a pool. Much cheaper too.

Shelley29

We stayed here as well last year in a two bedroom apartment, absolutely fabulous. We have two kids (5 and 17 months at the time) and they loved it. Fabulous pools, restaurant etc. The lagoon in Cairns and also the Skyrail were our kids fave. We drove up to Port Douglas but it was torrential rain that day and we don't think we saw the best of it. Will make the effort to get back there when we finally make it over at the end of the year.

Siren & Brian

When I was in Cairns stayed at the Big 4 Caravan Park. You can tent, caravan or use there cabins but the facilities are fantasic and probably the best i stayed in when driving around Australia.

steandleigh

We've stayed at 'The Lakes' a couple of times ( here in Cairns permanently, now ) and it's fantastic value. 4 and 1/2 star, you get a 3 bed apartment for $500 ( 250 quid ) a week, spas, pools, restaurant, bar, kids club, hairdressers, beauty place, have a barbie by the pool, Centenary lakes close by, close to the CBD.

Worth the extra spends for a luxury stay, close to the centre of town, recommend it x10.

Bix

Colin,

Try this one Colin.....http://www.cairns-australia.com/

or maybe this one.....http://www.cairnsconnect.com.au/

or even this one.....http://www.cairnsweb.com.au/directory/default.html

igual

just returned from cairns, stayed at Gilligans backpackers resort in a deluxe room for 68 dollars anight for 3 people. This is a brand new multi million place, (more like a very nice hotel than a backpackers!), the pool is fantastic, I saw kids there as well. Only downside is it can get a bit noisey, if you get a room near the bar.
have fun!

Aus4us

Hi!!
We would definitely recommend the quicksilver tours, there were 2 different ones we went on - The outer reef trip & the low isles. Both were fantastic and the staff were wonderful!! We got a discount for booking both trips too!!

This was possibly two of the best days out of our aussie trip!!!

There is a web site www.quicksilver-cruises.com

Roni

Lunnons

I have to agree the low isles was great - i can't remember how much it was but included in our day was the bus to get the taxi boat (to port douglas) then we got onto a Catamaran to the Low Isles - we were ferried to the island by glass bottom bottom boat as often as we wanted during the day - also included was a smargasboard lunch and entertainment on the trip back -
best experience ever - although the wet suits did make us look a little ridiculous!!! I would definately recommend this trip and will definately be doing it when we get back -
we would love to also buy an apartment in the Lakes complex as they were great!!!!1

Aus4us

We looked like the smurfs......Without the white hats

Sherie

I would go to THE RYDGES HOTEL AT PORT DOUGLAS, great for families with kids, has kids club, pools, bikes for hire, etc. PD is smaller, and more upmarket than Cairns and the well known Quiksilver trips go from PD so its very convenient staying there.

We had to shop around to get best room rates in PD but eventually got best price through Trailfinders in Cairns, whilst we were out there. ( you can also get in touch with their London/other UK offices). Sorry can't remember the rates but our kids loved it for a few days and it was worth a little bit more to us than a cheaper place in Cairns.

I am sure the Rydges has a website as its part of the bigger Rydges group of hotels in Australia but you can sometimes get cheaper walk-in rates, or try the many travel agents in Cairns.