Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 6 . QUEENSLAND & THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Captain Cook Hwy., Ellis Beach, QLD 4879. & 1800/637 036 in Australia, or 07/4055 3538. Fax 07/4055
3077. www.ellisbeachbungalows.com.au. 15 units (all with shower only).A$68 (US$44) double cabins;A$155
(US$101) double bungalows. Extra person A$15 (US$9.75) in cabins, A$24 (US$16) in bungalows. AE, MC, V.
Amenities: Restaurant; 2 pools; golf course nearby; tour desk; car-rental desk; coin-op laundry. In room: A/C
and ceiling fans, TV, kitchen, iron.
The Reef Retreat Tucked back one row of buildings from the beach is
this little gem—a low-rise collection of contemporary studios and suites built
around a pool in a peaceful grove of palms and silver paperbarks. All the rooms
in the newer or extensively renovated wings have cool tile floors and smart teak
and cane furniture. The studios are a terrific value and much larger than the
average hotel room. In the oceanview suites, you can even lie in bed and see the
sea. The extra-private honeymoon suites (and some oceanview suites) have a
Jacuzzi and a kitchenette outside on the balcony. There’s a barbecue on the
grounds and a Jacuzzi. There’s no elevator. For long-stay guests, rooms are serviced
twice weekly; stays of 4 days or less do not include cleaning service. Extra
services A$20 (US$13).
10–14 Harpa St., Palm Cove, Cairns, QLD 4879. & 07/4059 1744. Fax 07/4059 1745. www.reefretreat.
com.au. 36 units (16 with shower only, 20 with shower and Jacuzzi). A$140 (US$91) studio double; A$150
(US$98) suite and spa suite; A$160 (US$104) oceanview suite; A$260 (US$169) 2-bedroom apt (sleeps 4).
Extra person A$25 (US$16). Children under 3 stay free in parent’s room with existing bedding; crib A$25
(US$16). AE, MC, V. Free parking. Bus: 1, 1B 1X, 2X, or N. Airport shuttle A$15 (US$9.75) per person one-way.
Amenities: Pool; nearby golf course; tennis courts; Jacuzzi; tour desk; car-rental desk; coin-op laundry and
laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV, dataport, kitchenette, fridge, coffeemakers, hair dryer, iron.
Tropical Holiday Units You’re a block from Trinity Beach at these roomy,
well-equipped apartments with friendly managers. The furnishings are rather
dated, but each has everything a family or couple could want for a penny-wise
vacation—a kitchen, comfy living and dining area, large bedrooms, laundry, balcony,
and a poolside barbecue. Servicing is weekly, and there is access to Internet
and fax facilities. A general store, a pub, and inexpensive eateries are just
down the road.
63–73 Moore St. (at Trinity Beach Rd.), Trinity Beach, Cairns, QLD 4879. & 07/4057 6699. Fax 07/4057
6565. www.ozemail.com.au/~trophol/. 43 units (with shower only). A$96–A$128 (US$62–US$83) 1-bedroom
apt, A$120–A$160 (US$78–US$104) 2-bedroom apt. Extra person A$18 (US$12). Children under 4 stay free.
Weekly rates available. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. Bus: 1, 1A, 3X, or N. Airport shuttle. Free airport transfers
for guests staying 5 nights or more. Amenities: 3 saltwater pools; 3 Jacuzzis; tour desk; car-rental desk;
babysitting. In room: A/C, TV, kitchen, laundry.
IN KURANDA
A 30-minute winding mountain drive, a 90-minute train trip, or a 40-minute
Skyrail gondola ride over the treetops brings you to this pretty village in the hills
behind Cairns. A local bus travels from two to five times a day from Cairns city
for A$7 (US$4.55) one-way. Kuranda is cool, rain-foresty, and blissfully peaceful,
despite the daily influx of tourists from the city. There are a handful of good
restaurants and quite a lot to see and do. One drawback is that not many tours
pick up here.
Kuranda Rainforest Park The rainforest and exotic, colorful park-like gardens
are the setting for this combination of cabins, budget rooms, and campsites.
Annette and Hans Christensen have established their getaway on 10 acres
just 10 minutes’ walk from Kuranda’s amenities, including Internet access. You
can take a canoe on the nearby Barron River or go spotlighting on the grounds
at night to see some of the local wildlife. There’s also a public phone/fax and a
store.