Cairns - Great Barrier Reef in April

Posted by Foolonahill (625 days ago)

Looking for a family holiday in April. Thinking Port Douglas, Great Barrier Reef.

Any comments/thoughts on April up there??

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Find what you are after in our Taipei A-Z Directory

Posted by 190k (625 days ago)

Great time of the year, no Irikanji. I stayed in a self catering apartment called Reflections. Bit pricy but very well worth it. A chopper trip over the reef is a must as well as snorkling/diving. Enjoy

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Twotails32 (625 days ago)

I would suggest staying in Cairns, there is alot more to do,trips tot he reef, snorling, beaches, shopping, Cinema, wakeboard park, scenic train etc etc. PD is nice but Cairns has more to do for the family.

You can always hire a car and drive the 1 hour to PD if you feel like it.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Ed (625 days ago)

Moved to travel

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ABCGG (625 days ago)

I can recommend Port Douglas, we were there for a family holiday two Easters ago, with children aged 5 and 2 at the time. There was plenty for us to do, such as the Rainforest Habitat (where our children could see loads of animals, many of which roamed freely, including the wallabies and kangaroos which they could feed) and cruises to the reef. I agree with 190k about the chopper flight over the reef, we did it with a company called Quicksilver - you take a boat from Port Douglas to the outer reef, swim/snorkel at the reef (or take children in 'submarine'), after which you can fly home, over both the reef and rainforest. The spectacular views make this money very well spent.

From Port Douglas, we drove about 45 minutes towards Cairns to the Skyrail, a great (if slightly sanitised) way for a family to experience the rainforest.

If you do find yourself in Port Douglas, try the On the Inlet restaurant. It is a bit hidden away, but has good food and lovely views when the sun goes down.

Only negative at this time of year - 4-mile beach looks beautiful, but you can't use it, due to sandflies and stingers. We stayed at the Rydges Reef Resort - I would recommend spending a bit more money for something of better quality.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by 190k (623 days ago)

A lot of the reef charters go from PD anyway. I have been to PD three times and always go with Quicksilver they do a great trip to the Lows Isles which are very pretty. Great fishing on the Daintree river as well lots of charters available even reef fishing. Last time we saw someones coral trout turn into a medium sized cod which then became a big tiger shark so we had to move to another reef. Heaps to do and the kids will love it.

(I am based in Hong Kong)