Its nearly 3 years since I was in that area, but as an ex-patriate Melburnian I can recommend your choice. You may wish to consider an alternative to the Britz thing -- renting a car and staying at cheaper accommodation like backpackers (there are restrictions on where you can drive in rental cars, basically your insurance won't cover you if you go off the blacktop (bitumen), check Britz on this also). Port Douglas is nicer than Cairns, smaller and more scenic. Cairns is your starting point only because that is where the airport is. I can recommend the Crocodylus Resort at Cow Bay, in the Daintree area. It is a backpacker place with a difference, quite unique, set in the rainforest. If you don't want to go to the reef from Pt Douglas, you can go from Cape Tribulation (or you could) on a sailboat catarmaran (sp?) that can carry about 20-25 folks + crew. Cape Tribulation is the end of the sealed road in the Daintree National Park. We did an introductory scuba dive on that reef trip -- real neat (as well as snorkel). The QuickSilver reef experience (Quicksilver is a major reef operator) from Pt Douglas is quite good, but you are on a large cat that can carry up to about 300 people, a good smorgasbord lunch is provided, there is a pontoon pier at the reef where the boat ties up while you eat and snorkel. Just a bit more sophisticated and in my opinion, a bit less exciting. But if you have tendencies to be seasick, it is a better bet.
If you are going to Perth, leave it as late as you can because the wildflowers come out in mid September, but it sounds as if you would be there earlier. Perth is a great place. I have lived there for 2 stretches of time. If you go there in July be prepared for rainshowers, but it doesn't get very cold. Perth has a winter maximum rainfall and mediterranean climate. The good thing is you can see the squalls coming, and once they're done you have a few hours of fine weather. Remember you are on the edge of the roaring 40s there on the west coast.
Originally Posted by
shogun
After many years I convinced my dear wife to make holday in Aussie. Best might be a rental from Britz.
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Plan: arrive at Cairns (7 - 8 hours from Tokyo), then go where no people are.
I do not want to see a city and crowds, that we have enough here.
Duration: 2 weeks.
Do you think Cairns is a good starting point?
Had 2 trips to Perth and Cairns to see Daintree Forest abt. 2-3 hours from Cairns to the north (?).
Diving was also included at the great barrier rieff. You have some nice places there to make holidays.
Well, probably it will be July or August this year, which means winter time in your country.
Thanks for any advice to visit your country.
1995 E34 540i Manual Limited Edition -- #50 out of 70 Australian RHD. Have owned 3 x E34 535i 5 speeds and E36 328i 5 speed (in the US), and a 1982 E28 528i, RHD Australian Euro-type 5 Speed.
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