Holiday reviews for Cairns

Great place to visit for young backpackers and gap year students, great social atmosphere, beautiful surroundings and loads of things to do, especially the scuba diving trips in the great barrier reef are amazing. I'd recommend to anyone as a must-see for anyone travelling to australia.

Having arrived in Cairns a day early, we had to look for somewhere to stay the night as we had booked an apartment further up the coast on the road to Port Douglas at the end of our three weeks in Oz.

After some driving around we happened across the Tradewinds, which is situated right on the main promenade, to the north of the marina. Checking in was easy, and the car was taken to their own underground car-park on our behalf .

The room was spacious and clean, with a grand view of the harbour, and out to sea. A pleasant surprise was a set of french doors, leading to a balcony which was just the place to sit drinking the contents of the mini bar.

As we only stayed for one night, we chose not to eat in the hotel, but chose to dine in town. Reception were kind enough to help us look for something to do the next morning and suggested (and indeed booked); a trip out in a 4WD with a local guy called 'Peachie', who turned out to be a rieal character and seemed to be a 65 year old version of Crocodile Dundee!

As i said, we only stayed for one evening but can say that although expensive, this hotel is very good, and within easy walking distance of the main part of Cairns and the port.