Cairns?

[ivonavich]

I'm heading to Cairns for the next few days (much needed break)
What is there to see Herp wise? even Wildlife wise? I've heard bout Venom zoo and am prob going there on Monday...

Can anyone give me some ideas and recommendations?

[Jonno]

G'day mate,

I'd avoid the Venom Zoo like the plague. I have never heard a good thing about it, or it's owner.

[urodacus_au]

Ill second that, i walked out of that place stupider than when i walked in. Cowboys with no intelligence to back it up....

Jordan

[ivonavich]

ok so that's a no to Venom Zoo.... Any suggestions?

[urodacus_au]

Cairns is the sort of place where you just have a to find a patch of rainforest and go for a walk. Crystal Cascades is alright for a wander and a swim, plenty of Carlia, Dendrelaphis and turtles in the river. Night driving almost anywhere that isnt in the middle of town will turn up Scrubbies, Slatey Greys, Brown Trees, Crapets and ****e loads of frogs. Lots of Cassowaries at Etty Bay and Cape Tribs not bad for a wander down the boardwalks.

Jordan

[yommy]

We had a really good day at 'Hartleys Crocodile Adventures' and would thougherly recommend it also the river cruise for wild crocs on the daintree was excellent as well.

Most of the parks/zoo offer a 1-2 day pass with your original ticket so dependanding on how busy you are you can come back the next day for free......

Beautiful part of the world but yes i watsed my money at that venom zoo.......

[ivonavich]

Was thinking a croc tour.... what's the other wildlife park up there like

[python119]

cairns night zoo is a good way to unwind after a day.
they feed you and have some drinks too,also have a dance.

[pythonmum]

Daughter insisted on the Venom Zoo - what a train wreck! They didn't even know what kind of snakes they had. Couldn't tell the difference between a Darwin and a jungle, didn't know they had night tigers on display, etc.

Cairns Zoo was okay. Here's my favourite shot from there:


Head north and do a croc tour on the Daintree river.

Lots of croc and tree snakes, too. Had lunch at the Daintree Cafe (no idea where exactly) and watched a green tree snake tour around the garden at the edge of the outdoor eating area. A waitress had photos of monitors and frogs that frequent the place, too.

[Jay84]

Oh i am also planning a holiday to Port Douglas for end of October! I have been trawling the net for different things to do. On my list is Hartleys Crocodile park, crocodile river tour on the Daintree River. I think my spare time will be devoted to bushwalking and conducting my own 'eco tour' lol.

[pythonmum]

We loved Port Douglas. Got a flat on the beach - just walk to restaurants and bars. Did our own eco tour of Cape Trib. Plenty of places where you can pay to see the rainforest, but state and national parks have nice trails with boardwalks, too. The dense rainforest was truly amazing. I offered the kids a $10 prize if they could spot a Boyd's dragon, but I was the only one to find one (2m from the carpark!). Highlights included a cranky brush turkey who gave us the evil eye for disturbing the leaves he was raking across the road. Never saw a wild cassowary

Walking around Mosman Gorge is well worth it. (Close to Port Douglas) There are trails of different lengths and some nice swimming spots.

It's still well worth doing a day on the reef. Saw it in 89 and again in 09 - really noticed the difference. It's still stunning, but not like it was. Very sad. Have a look while it's still good!

Around Kuranda there are some nice little trails and you can also go white water rafting when they release water from the dam. Husband and teenage sun had a blast, except when the guy in front of my husband hit him in the throat with the paddle - lifted him right out of his seat. Best part is that this was when they passed the photo spot and they gave us a photo of the incident!

I'd go back in an instant. Great holiday.

[Jay84]

Thanks for that info Pythonmum!

I am getting a little excited now!

[ivonavich]

Just had a quick visit of the wildlife dome thingy on top of the Casino - nothing great but I'm off to Hartleys tomorrow and then got a day tour to Cape trib on Monday

[ivonavich]

Couple of pics from Hartley's today

[yommy]

what did you think of hartleys?? not a bad set up hey..........

Great pics

[ivonavich]

Hartley's was really enjoyable... the Lagoon setup was awesome!!!!!