Cairns

[Deleted]

I have been to Cairns twice. The first time, in the early 1980's, it was still a slightly wild, somewhat undeveloped place with rows of 'hotels' (bars) on the main street and not really much else, except for some agencies specialized in tours to the Great Barrier Reef. I liked the way it was crushed under the tropical heat and everything was very calm.

I was really looking forward to returning, but when I did so in 2000, I recognized not one single thing from my first trip. It was a modern busy city with a big shopping mall sprawled right in the center of town, there was a lot of traffic, car dealerships baking in the sun, and I sort of regretted having made the effort to drive up the coast all the way from Sydney (2730 km).

However, I was looking at the Cairns website today and became even more dismayed.

Carins Australia

Cairns is lain up north on the east coast and it plays both a tourism and business key role in Australia. In 2003 Cairns was given enough cosmetic surgery to rival the population of Hollywood.

In just one misspelled title and two sentences, I cannot imagine this sort of opening line appealing to any potential visitors. I am also mystified by the questionable grammar of "Cairns is lain up north on the east coast" -- does the verb sound correct to anybody here? Any of you Australians? Is that a common thing to say?

If so, kindly explain.

[spindrift]

Oh no! I've never been to Cairns and I won't go now. I hate shopping malls and lots of traffic.

[Kimby]

So does Cairns have any redeeming qualities in 2009? Who has been there recently? Can one rent or return an RV there? Would it need to be a 4WD camper, to go along the coastal road toward Cooktown?

[Deleted]

I know that anybody can drive as far as Port Douglas, because the road is totally normal. Driving to Cooktown used to take special equipment, but perhaps they have upgraded since I was there....? (I never made it as far as Cooktown.)

[Kimby]

Having done more research, it appears that there is an inland highway for non4WD vehicles, but on the coastal route, it deteriorates to 4WD track just as you reach Port Tribulation, where you can continue on foot or by excursion...

[mockchoc]

kerouac, I've never in my life heard the word lain here.

Kimby, there shouldn't be a problem with getting a campervan there as it's one of the most touristy towns in Australia. Most people go there for the Reef and the beautiful rainforest. The town is ok but it's just a smallish town used mostly as a base.

Cooktown does now have a bitumen road so no problem for regual cars. We did the 4WD track on the way there, crossing a couple of rivers and then back on the tar road. It's a quaint small town. I'm glad I did it.

Port Douglas is nice if you want to go where the richer tourist go. I enjoyed my one week stay there, it was very laid back and so relaxing. The beach is nice and there are tons of restaurants.

[Kimby]

Thanks for that input. With all there is to do in the area, I wonder if a week is enough time. We haven't made reservations for the flight to Darwin yet, so could modify our time frame.

Anyone have advice on getting cheap oneway (or open jaw) domestic flights?