Australia - Alice Springs and Cairns?

Question

So I'm heading back to Australia in May. Last year I went to Sydney, Melbourne and Tasminia, this year it's Alice Springs, Carins, Melbourne and Sydney.

Besides the obvious, what places, events, things of interest are there to do in The Alice and Cairns? I'll be there with a friend of mine spending about 3/4 days in each (I know that's not alot)

We're going to head to Uluru and The Olgas from Alice Springs and perhaps do a bit of hiking in the McDonnell range area. I'm assuming though there are other areas of interest.

As for Cairns we really only have seeing the Great Barrier Reef on the agenda.

We know it'll be cool in Melbourne and Sydney, but can expect summer weather in the above 2 (24C-28C range?)

This might sound silly, but should we really be on the lookout for crocs in the outback, esp near water holes. We've no plans to wander off the beaten path too much, but if there are some "dangerous" critters about, it'd be nice to know beforehand.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Gee, i hope you're not driving around - done that and it takes along time. Firstly, if you are going in summer in melbourne, it's going to be hot (we have been above 30 all of this week) and it's going to stay hot for a bit longer.

Alice Springs - Definatley do Uluru climb (it's steep to start) I have done it 3 times, it's different everytime and great fun. The Olgas are good too - just near Uluru. I went to the McDonnell Ranges too - you should visit Kings Canyon and all the gorges and chasms. But apart from that i can't think of much else to do in Alice Springs.

Crocs and critters - if the sign stays there could be crocs in the water - you don't go in the water (easy). You will need a fly net or a lot of fly spray.

I have never been to Cairns so i can't help you there.

Have a good trip!

Answer 2

If you're going to Cairns, Kuranda is a must do.

Below are two websites about Kuranda.

Have a great holiday.

The picturesque mountain retreat of Kuranda Village is just 25km northwest of Cairns in Far North Queensland, Australia and is surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest. Visitors can travel to Kuranda on Kuranda’s Historic Scenic Railway or by car or bus, via the spectacular Kuranda Range Road or over the rainforest on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

http://www.kuranda.org/

Second only to the Great Barrier Reef as chosen by visitors from all over the world, Kuranda is the best place to go to experience our tropical rainforest & world-class eco-tours.

Skyrail, Tjapukai, Scenic Railway, wildlife, Rainforest and more.

http://www.kuranda.au.com/

Answer 3

Okkies i really don't know much about alice springs but have heard that if you go to uluru to take a tour on camel back. It's meant to be pretty fun (but i've neer done this).

In Carins you definitly want to go scuba or snorkeling on the reef. Theres a place up there call airlie beach near cairns that you gotta check out as its the backpackers lace tohang out. A few pubs and lots of internatioonal people with great stories . Oh and you should check out the daintree rain forest if your into rainforest walks. It's absolutly gorgeous and it's australias best.

And you'll be arrive here just heading into winter so the temps will be a little cooler than that in syd and melb. More like 10-25C.

Oh and with the crocs if you do go on bush walks and find lakes, ponds, ect just be weary of them as thats where they live. But you can still go for swims. They ussually have signs up too, so just don't temp fate too much ;P

HAVE FUN