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

CAIRNS 283
Kuranda Heights Rd., Kuranda, QLD 4872. &/fax 07/4093 7316. www.kurandatouristpark.com. 11 units,
with private bathroom (shower only); 8 veranda rooms, with shared bathrooms. A$110 (US$57) double family
cottages; A$85 (US$43) double cottages for couples or poolside cabins; A$80 (US$52) double park units;
A$45 (US$29) double for budget rooms (sleeps 4). Extra adult A$12 (US$7.80), extra child A$6 (US$3.90).
A$17 (US$11) double for unpowered campsites and A$20 (US$13) for powered sites. MC, V. Amenities:
Large saltwater pool; tour desk. In room: TV.
ON AN ISLAND
Of several island resorts off Cairns, the Fitzroy Island Resort is the most affordable.
It is idyllic, but every time you want to join a tour or go shopping on the
mainland, you must pay for a transfer—about A$35 (US$23) round-trip.
Fitzroy Island Resort This is probably the most affordable island resort on
the Great Barrier Reef. It’s targeted at a young crowd looking for action and ecofun
in a pristine, beautiful location. It’s no glamour-puss palace, but was
revamped in 2000 to sport a new Hard Rock Cafe–style restaurant, spruced-up
interiors, and a makeover around the pool. Fitzroy is a continental island offering
little in the way of fringing coral and only a few narrow strips of coral sand.
What it does have are catamarans, outrigger canoes, and surf skis; glass-bottomboat
rides; and hiking trails through dense national park forest to a lighthouse.
Divers can make drift dives over the reefs dotted around the island to see manta
rays, reef sharks, turtles, and plenty of coral. There is good snorkeling at two
points around the island that you can reach twice a day on the dive boat, at an
extra fee. You can also catch the Sunlover Cruises day trip to the outer Great Barrier
Reef. The dive shop runs introductory and certified dives and certification
courses. Each of the modestly comfortable beach cabins has a queen-size bed
and two bunks in the back, and the rooms have ceiling fans and a large balcony
with views through the trees to the sea. The bunkhouse accommodations are
basic fan-cooled carpeted rooms with bunks and/or beds. Bunkhouse guests can
use the communal kitchen if they BYO supplies from the mainland.
The restaurant is moderately priced, a kiosk sells takeout food, and the poolside
grill and bar does casual meals. The Raging Thunder Beach Bar, billed as
“the only nightclub on the Reef,” gets going on Saturday nights.
35km (22 miles) southeast of Cairns. P.O. Box 1109, Cairns, QLD 4870.& 07/4051 9588. Fax 07/4052 1335.
www.fitzroyislandresort.com.au. 52 cabins (all with shower only); 32 bunkhouses, none with private bathroom.
Cabins A$220 (US$143) double. Extra person A$35 (US$23). Bunkhouses A$31 (US$20) per person per
bed (sharing with up to 3 other people); A$116 (US$76) double (sole use); A$124 (US$81) family bunkhouse
(sleeps 4). AE, DC, MC, V. Round-trip transfers 3 times daily from Cairns (approx. 45 min.) cost A$36 (US$23)
adults, A$18 (US$12) children 4–14. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; outdoor pool; watersports equipment; dive
shop; tour desk. In room (cabins only): TV, minifridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
WHERE TO DINE
IN CAIRNS
The Esplanade along the seafront is always good for a cost-conscious feed, as it’s
packed with cafes, pizzerias, fish and chips places, and ice-cream parlors. The
Pier Marketplace on the waterfront has a food court with water views, or you
can try the food court in the Cairns Central Mall over the railway station on
McLeod Street. All but a few food outlets in the mall close at night.
Perrotta’s MODERN AUSTRALIAN The locals flock here for brunch and
lunch, particularly at the weekends, and you can team it with a visit to the
Cairns Regional Art Gallery, as the cafe is just outside. Breakfast differs from the
usual bacon and eggs or pancakes fare, offering delights such as smoked salmon
and Klimera hash browns with roasted Roma tomatoes, sour cream, and
avocado. Sweet-tooths may go for the French toast with star anise–scented