Details about Queensland

FYI -- This isn't worth reading, unless you're actually planning a trip.

Golf --  If you're planning to play golf, pick up a Queensland Golf Guide at the first golf course you go to.  It costs A$25 and the discounts pay for the Guide almost right away.  It shows where all the courses are and provides other useful info.  Golf is very inexpensive in Australia, though most courses are not especially well-groomed.   We played twice, but it was HOT.

Townsville -- We rented our car through Thrifty; save the 15% airport tax by taking a taxi to their shop rather than picking up the car at the airport. 

    The Reef HQ, an aquarium, is an excellent introduction to what's out there, there are regular guided tours.  The reef is 92 K out, so we waited till we got further north before taking a reef trip.

    Jupiter Casino has 4-star rooms with good views and a huge buffet breakfast included for A$ 157.  There are several restaurants and bars nearby. 

Jourama Falls -- It's a 2-3K hike to the falls and overlook.  The climb to the overlook will surely get you ready for the hike down to the pools and the reward: swimming, which is just what's needed.   Recommended.

Wallaman Falls -- It's supposed to be the best of the falls, the longest drop in Australia, but it was too hot for me to get excited about the 50K drive, mostly on unpaved road, and the long trek to see it.

Lucinda -- Stay at the Hinchinbrook Marine Resort.  Two nights in these self-contained units and a reef trip for two on the Mikado runs A$ 314.  (At 2A$ for each US$, that's an excellent deal.)  And the boat moors right outside your door!  It's a nice introductory snorkeling trip out to a couple of reef islands.  There were only 7 people the day we went.

Mission Beach -- We stayed at the Castaways on the Beach, which is one of the nicest spots in town.  (Our "walk-in" room rate was 10% below the regular A$110/night.)   From there you can walk to several restaurants and a supermarket in the "town" center.  The hotel will reserve your raft trip down the Tully, as well as your trip to the reef on the Quick Cat, which may be on a 40% off special, if it's Sunday or Wednesday and the right season.  Of our 3 snorkeling trips, this was the best.  The water was calm, and the fish and coral were great!

Babinda -- This is Australia's wettest city.  Swimming at The Boulders was delightful -- a short drive out of town, a fine walk through the rainforest to check out the overlooks, followed by a swim in the sandy-bottomed creek.    

Cains -- There are info centers everywhere, which usually have some good deals on lodging.   For diving and snorkeling, try to find out which boats have the best lease locations on the reef.  Each company has it's own areas, and I expect the coral quality varies quite a bit.  The sail boats looked intriguing, but they take a while to get to the Outer Reef.