Great Barrier Reef Golf and Leisure holidays, vacations, tours, packages

CAIRNS GOLF

The Premier Golf Course in Tropical North Queensland
Paradise Palms is an 18 hole (6464m, Par 72 ACR 76) Championship layout that has continually ranked among Australia’s best and most challenging courses since opening in 1990.
Paradise Palms officially opened in January 1990 with a Skins Tournament played between golfing greats Greg Norman, Curtis Strange, Berhard Langer and Isao Aoki, and although several changes were made to the course after this event, it still earns it’s ACR of 76 with relative ease. Go to the Cairns Golf Page

CAIRNS Tours/Cruises

Big Cat Reef Cruises
Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises specialises in discovering the Great Barrier Reef. Visitors are encouraged to view the wonderful underwater world of marine life and corals by participating in snorkelling, glass bottom boat or semi-submarine tours. Big Cat also provides many optional tours on board the vessels offering passengers certified and introductory diving, Seawalker helmet diving and boat snorkel trips to the outer edge of Green Island Reef.
Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises operates year round from Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns offering full day and half day Green Island Reef Cruises.

Coral Princess Cruises: Discover Australia's most picturesque coastline and the world's largest Marine Park, the Great Barrier Reef, on a 4 night Coral Princess Reef and Island Adventure Cruise. Take advantage of our modern facilities and the attentive service of our friendly and informative crew. Enjoy the finest North Queensland seafoods and tropical fruits. Relax and be pampered.
Their award-winning 35 metre expedition style cruise ships, Coral Princess and Coral Princess II, are large enough to provide all the comforts and facilities you would expect from larger cruise ships, yet small enough to enable us to access reef and island sites inaccessible to other vessels. With our open bridge policy and a maximum of just 50 passengers, your environmental experience will be both personal and memorable.

Kuranda Scenic Railway
The Kuranda world famous scenic railway experience is a must-do when visiting Cairns and Tropical North Queensland, Australia. You will discover the pioneering history of the tropical north from way back in the late 1800's, be astounded by a magnificent engineering feat and explore some of the great characters involved in the construction of this great railway.

Cairns Reef Charter Services
Light Tackle - Big Game
The options are endless - Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Pacific Sailfish, Narrow Barred Mackerel, Barracuda, Wahoo, Dogtooth Tuna, Dolphin Fish, Giant Trevally, the list goes on. So if you are looking for your first billfish, an elusive line class world record or just a great fishing trip with non-stop fishing action -Cairns is the place to be!
Cairns is always in the thick of things when world records are being mentioned and the past few seasons have been no exception, with record Black Marlin, Narrow Barred Mackerel, Giant Trevally just to name a few. With "tag & release" gaining momentum very few billfish are weighed these days and this conservation ethic is responsible for continuing world class light tackle action. With the constant evolution of boats, equipment and crews there are some top class young Captains and crews coming through the ranks to challenge the established masters, some of whom are recognised as amongst the best in the world. We have boats that specialise in trolling lures & baits or fishing live baits, casting lures and even saltwater fly for the impressive array of speedsters that haunt the warm turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Casting surface popper lures adds an exciting visual dimension to fishing for the "never say die" Giant Trevally. The sight of these brutes jostling each other out of the way to eat a piece of painted wood is guaranteed to give even the most hardened angler an adrenalin rush. This very specialised form of fishing has been perfected by our leading guides into a real art form and comes into the category of "not to be missed" while in Cairns The options are endless - Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Pacific Sailfish, Narrow Barred Mackerel, Barracuda, Wahoo, Dogtooth Tuna, Dolphin Fish, Giant Trevally, the list goes on. So if you are looking for your first billfish, an elusive line class world record or just a great fishing trip with non-stop fishing action - Cairns is the place to be!

Cairns Tours
Atherton & the Outback Bus Tour: Tropical weather is gently tempered as you climb onto the elevated plateau of the Atherton Tableland.
Weathered volcanic peaks and cones, crater lakes surrounded by rainforest, vines and fan palms, tropical Aussie rural towns, brightly colored birds and butterflies in rainforest wilderness lead to outback cattle stations on the Savannah plains.

Cairns Tours
Sunlover Outer Barrier Reef Cruise to Moore Reef on the Sunlover pontoon a 330 passenger catamaran.
Explore the wonders of the reef at your leisure by swimming or snorkelling or view the coral reef and prolific fish life from semi - submersibles and glass bottom boats.
You will also enjoy a sumptuous tropical hot and cold lunch on board.

Cairns Tours
Kuranda Rainforest Tour from Northern Beaches:
Tropical North Queensland rainforest is to experience nature at its finest!
Rail, gondolas and amphibious army ducks all come together to enable you to appreciate the compelling enchantment of the rainforest.
The rainforest village of Kuranda, Aboriginal dancing, Dreamtime and native animals complete a special day.

Cairns Tours
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park; day and/or night admission: Join us for dinner and a show at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, and journey into dreamtime legend and discover the magic of the Tjapukai people.
Tjapukai by Night is an evening of entertainment and indulgence with a sumptuous dinner buffet. Immerse yourself in the traditions of the Aboriginal people through traditional dances, music and the telling of dreamtime legends providing a powerful and personal insight into ancient Australian culture.
Tjapukai by Night is suitable for all ages, couples, families and groups - and is a unique, memorable experience that should not be missed!

The Undara Experience:
A short flight, historic train ride or scenic half-day coach transfer or drive from Cairns, Undara is the experience that defines Australia’s Outback.
Located on the eastern edge of the ruggedly beautiful Gulf Savannah region of northern Australia, the multi-award winning Undara Experience captures the essence of the real Australian Outback.
Undara Experience is located in pristine tropical savannah woodlands, within easy reach of the Great Barrier Reef areas of Cairns and Townsville in Tropical North Queensland.
See the Undara Lava Tubes is part of the longest lava flow from a single volcanic crater on Earth. In the Microbat breeding season you can witness the unique spectacle of the Microbats and the Night Tigers. You can choose camping or stay in a luxuriously restored railway carriages (some with ensuite bathrooms), nestled in the Queensland bush.

HIGHLIGHT TOURS
Cairns and environs
Inner & Outer reef cruises
Green Island snorkelling
Reef by glass bottom boat
Atherton Tablelands
Kuranda Rainforest
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Butterfly Sanctuary
Undara Lava Tubes

Vacation Australia's Kangaroo Kelly will include any tour of your choice in your custom planned itinerary!

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Vacation Australia provides self drive or driver guide luxury coach tours to independent groups.
Ask about our Preferred Partner Aussie Tour Operators for those who wish to join a group

Cairns

Cairns is a popular gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the vast wilderness of Cape York Peninsula. With its tree-lined streets, this tropical city offers excellent shopping, restaurants and a variety of quality accommodation. The city is fringed by lush rainforests and, to the north and south, miles of white sandy beaches and turquoise oceans teeming with marine life. Cairns population 123,000.

The Northern Reef

From Cairns, daily cruise boats and sail boats, helicopters and seaplanes travel to Green Island, Fitzroy Island and the Outer Reef where boats are anchored or moored to floating pontoons just offshore. You have many 1 day or more dive options if you wish to snorkel the reef close-up. Go to Islands and Beaches to see most of the Great Barrier Reef Islands including the fabulous Lizard Island where you can charter Great Black Marlin deep sea fishing tours.

Beaches

There are no beaches at Cairns. If you wish to spend a day on the beach, Green Island is a short ferry ride away and there are 6 beaches on the Marlin Coast nearby and north of the city. Watch out for the stinging jellyfish through October to early May. Protective swimming enclosures are provided and warning signs are posted on beaches.

Nightlife & accommodation: The Reef Hotel Casino

Cairns Resort Golf:

FEATURED HOTELS

5 star Casino

Reef Hotel 5*

Five star: Cairns International The Shangri-La on the Marina
Boutique: Il Palazzo Boutique Apartment Hotel
Golf Resort: Paradise Palms Resort & Country Club Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas

Getting about

Public Transport; the Marlin Coast Sun Bus operates regular, daily bus services that link Cairns beaches such as Trinity Beach and Palm Cove further afield. The Cairns Red Explorer Bus departs from the Transit Centre on tours of Cairns, which passengers can leave and rejoin as they wish. Trip and Day tickets available.

Budget Rental Car - Used and recommended by Vacation Australia. Vacation Australia provides rental car, 4wd Toyota Landcruiser (4 persons) and 4wd Troopcarrier (8 persons) vehicles and luxury limo if that tickles your fancy.

Climate: Warm to hot tropical climate all year round. Tropical rains June to August.

Beyond Cairns

From Smithfield, an outer suburb, take the Skyrail, a gondola cableway over the rainforest to Kuranda, a picturesque village on the edge of the Atherton Tablelands. Also departing Cairns is the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway. This commentary train provides spectacular views of tropical scenery and waterfalls. If the sight of Aboriginal ceremonial dancers is your "cup 'o tea", don't miss seeing Kuranda's Tjapukai Aboriginal Dance Theatre and the Pamagirri dance at the Rainforestation. Learn how to throw a boomerang, take a tour in an Army Duck; see ancient palms and fern trees and visit the free artisan markets while at Kuranda. Birdworld, go for a cruise on the river or shop for local art and crafts. Board the Kuranda Scenic Railway back to Cairns.

62 miles/100 km west of Cairns is the Atherton Tablelands. Explore by car along the waterfall circuit over this tableland of rolling hills, lush rainforests, waterfalls and crater lakes.

One of the closest towns to the Reef is the resort of Port Douglas, 44 miles/70 km north of Cairns. Here you can stay at modern hotels, backpacker hostels and sample "fair dinkum Aussie tucker" at old style pubs and tropical restaurants where sophisticated fare is offered. Attractions and activities include the Rainforest Habitat, Ben Cropp's Shipwreck Museum, the colorful Sunday Markets and tours to the outer reef and rainforest - the largest tract of virgin rainforest in Australia - is the World Heritage-listed Daintree and Cape Tribulation National Parks, beginning in Mossman, a sugar-milling town and gateway to Mossman River Gorge. This is an area of clear, running streams, walking tracks and towering forests. While there, visit the Butterfly Sanctuary. Further north is Cooktown, an historic town on the banks of the Endeavor River, which served as a port for the nearby goldfields during the nineteenth century. Rare and abundant native flora flourish in the area.

If you want to return to today's real west, take the trip to Queensland's oldest outback working cattle property, Weatherby Station, 60 miles/99 km northwest of Cairns. Have you ever wanted to know what "aussie tucker", "billy tea" and "damper" is?. Being an experienced "bushie", Kangaroo Kelly knows this lingo. Aussie tucker is food, billy tea is tea served from a tin can with a wire handle that hangs the "billy" over the campfire and Damper is a dough-like bread cooked in a campoven on the campfire.

Cape York Peninsula

The Cape is the most northerly point and the wildest, least populated region of Australia, about 100 miles/160 km north-west of Cairns. For those who are independent and adventurous, Kangaroo Kelly suggests a Cape York Safari; rent a 4wd and make the trek via Cooktown to Cape York via a rugged dirt road crossed by several rivers. At the Cape, flights to Thursday Island are available and you will encounter the Thursday Island Aboriginal people and their culture. For those less adventurous, overland tours, fly/cruise options and a daily airborne mail run to different places of the Cape York Peninsula are available.

A truly unique rail experience While at the Cape, take the 95 mile/152 km Gulflander motor rail ride. You'll cross the Norman River, pass an endless stream of wildlife and finally terminate your trip at the old gold town of Croydon. The Gulflander was the Heritage winner in the Queensland Tourism Awards, 1994. Until then it had been one of the State's best secrets.

Gulf Savannah Region

This region stretches as far west as the Northern Territory border. Attractions include Mt Surprise, a centre for gem fossicking. Want more adventure? Keep the 4wd and make the Safari trek inland to the Undara Lava Tubes. Its a 155 mile/250 km outback bush trip to see the Tallaroo Hot Springs and the lava tubes that are over 100 miles long, dotted with rainforest and are big enough to drive a train through. Stay overnight at the Lava Lodge. For others, air, rail, or bus tours are available from Cairns.

The Southern Reef Islands

This group includes Lady Elliot, Heron, Great Keppel, Brampton and the fabulous Whitsundays; Lindeman, South Molle, Daydream, Hayman, Hook, Hamilton and Long. Mackay, 600 miles/965 km north of Brisbane, has cruises to the Whitsundays.

KANGAROO KELLY says that you should use Cairns or Port Douglas as your base when touring the Great Barrier Reef. Tour buses & cruise boats depart daily from your hotel to the "Reef" and other highlights of the region. Vacation Australia can and will custom plan and competitively package "add-on" tours to your Aussie Itinerary including your Great Barrier Reef experience

Vacation Australia provides custom planned golf & leisure vacations

Vacation Australia's "Kangaroo Kelly" has comprehensively golf and travelled all States in Australia. He not only knows the popular tourist regions but also knows the favourite places of the crafty locals.

Go to Enquiries & Quotation to request your custom planned itinerary

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