CSloan

Hi we have just sailed from Cairns on Sun Princess. We arrived about 7.30 am from another Australian port and people were leaving the ship by 8am but be careful, if there are ships tours, they can get priority leaving the ship. We hired a car in Cairns, Cruising Car Rental, which I would happily recommend. They picked us up at the terminal and took us to their rental office. Paperwork completed and we enjoyed two days touring this lovely area. Small car cost $65.00 per day. Unlimited mileage and we were dropped back at the terminal next day at the end of our rental. I would recommend booking in advance to secure a car if you go this way.

Where did you go in the car?

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Great info, thanks!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

According to the Taxi Fare Calculator found here;

 

https://www.taxifare.com.au/

 

 

 

The fare from Fisherman's Island to Lone Pine Sanctuary on a week day leaving at 9:30am is from AU$95.79 to AU$134.11. That's a maximum of AU$22.35 pp for 6 people. Be sure to ask for a Maxi-Taxi when booking.

Thanks for finding that. Do taxis hang around the area where we get off the ship, or do we need to book ahead?

Sent from my iPad using Forums

If you want the easier alternative you may well find that Princess offer a shore excursion to Lone Pine Sanctuary that will take you directly from the Grain Terminal. Please be aware there is absolutely nothing to do at the Grain Terminal and not a lot of taxis either. It is an industrial working port and you can't even go for a walk anywhere. Those not on shore excursions normally use the shuttle bus to the City where it is easy to fill your day from there.

Thanks. Unfortunately, Princess does not offer an excursion to Lone Pine Sanctuary. They offer one to the zoo, which was my first thought. But, most of the time would be spent on a bus to/from the zoo, and only a couple of hours total at the zoo.

Hi Cathy,

Yes there is a shuttle from Fisherman's Is into the city. I understand it stops at the City Hall and costs $29 pp. From there you can get a taxi or take a river cruise to Lone Pine sanctuary. It's a medium distance walk from City Hall to the Southbank's Cultural centre, where you board the 'Mirimar' to Lone Pine. You'll need to be there at 10 :00am, although I'd be concerned with a 3.30 pm return time, depending when your ship sails. The maxi-taxi (for 6 + persons) from City Hall would be a better alternative in that case. .

I hope you will enjoy your time "downunder".

 

Here is the link to the website that will help

 

http://www.mirimar.com/site/daily-cruises/

Thanks. I'm worried we won't have the time to do the Mirimar. So, taxi sounds like a plan. But, if the shuttle to town is $29pp, and 6 of us are sharing a taxi, I wonder if a taxi from the dock would cost less pp.

In October we'll be on Golden Princess. She will dock at Fishermans Grain Terminal. I have heard something about a ship shuttle from there to Brisbane. Does anyone know if there is a shuttle?

Thinking of the best way to get to Lone Pine Sanctuary. 6 of us want to share a taxi, but wondering if we should do it from the dock or from the city.

We are doing almost the same thing except we have a rental car and we are staying 2 nights at the 3 Sisters motel.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Our original plan was to rent a car, then we thought the train may be better. Where did you rent your car?

Thanks for sharing!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

It sounds like there would be no room for a couple of suitcases on the train. Is that right?

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I'm interested in replies too! We are also planning on taking the train to Katoomba after disembarking in October. At first, we were going to rent a car, but the train sounds better [emoji16] we have reservations for 2 nights in Katoomba, but are flexible and may stay 3.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

My husband and young teenage daughter did the snorkelling/scuba trip from Airlie Beach from Celebrity (we did the Kurandra train from Yorkey's and didn't go to Port Douglas). It was off a reef platform but they loved it. My son and I did the crocodile trip on the Proserpine river which I expected to be tackorama but was surprisingly informative and genuine.

We were looking at the crocodile trip, wondering if it would be a real touristy thing. Sounds like it wasn't bad? Would you recommend that or do it again?

Trying to decide if one snorkeling trip will be enough. The one out of Port Douglas also goes out to a reef platform for the day.

Has anyone experienced a little tour with Just Tuk'n Around in Arlie Beach? They get good reviews on Trip Advisor; https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g261596-d8661728-Reviews-Just_Tuk_n_Around-Airlie_Beach_Queensland.html

Thanks!

We'll be doing round trip Sydney, via Golden Princess. Stops include Brisbane, Port a Douglas, Yorkey's Knob, and Arlie Beach in October.

A highlight of the trip for me will be snorkeling the outer Reef, definitely on my bucket list! We have booked the ship snorkel excursion out of Port Douglas.

We are Considering also doing the ship snorkeling tour at Arlie Beach. (Actually, my husband doesn't snorkel, he would just be going along:-) However, since we're traveling such a long way to get a taste of Australia, I'm re-thinking Arlie Beach snorkeling. I guess my question is, would the experience out of Arlie Beach be pretty much a repeat of Port Douglas? If so, what would be a good option for seeing sights - and what sights are worth seeing in Arlie Beach?

We're planning on going to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, and doing a helicopter tour in Yorkey's Knob.

We will have a couple of nights in Sydney before the cruise. Post cruise we have a couple nights in the Blue Mountains, then a couple more in Sydney again before flying home.

We enjoy exploring, especially the outdoors.

I look forward to your opinions, especially about Arlie Beach.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Now that I've said that... how would we go about getting info on the train? That actually could be an option.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We'll have to look into Avis. We'll be driving to the Blue Mountains for a couple of days. We would consider the train, but I like the option of being able to stop along the way, and have a car to get around in once we arrive on Katoomba (where we're staying).

Thanks do much for the ideas! I feel like such a novice.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

When we get off the ship at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, we'd like to hire a car. We'll make arrangements ahead of time, but I'm trying to figure out the best location to rent from. I've been on the website for Vroom. I'm not sure how it works there, though. Do the car places have shuttles at the terminal to take passengers to their office to pick up the car, like in other ports?

Thanks!

I might be wrong, but doesn't Princess offer the Koala Sanctuary as a tour? I know the young crew love to go there and the ship puts on a couple of subsidised buses for them.

Unfortunately, this cruise does not offer an excursion to the Koala Sanctuary.

We did a week in the Blue Mountains last fall after circumnavigating Australia on the Maasdam. While it's technically possible to visit the Blue Mountains in a day, multiple days are far better. Chose lodging at Katoomba or near the Sisters and use the Hop On Hop Off bus to get around with. Your ticket can be valid for up to 7 days.

 

If you want lots of detail, my blog is found at www.timmer2016downunder.blogspot.com.

 

The animal park is wonderful and we visited it on a separate trip.

 

Let me know if you have other questions.

 

Tim

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks for sharing your blog. Sounds like you really took advantage of the beautiful scenery. After our cruise in Oct, RT Sydney, we plan on hiring a car and driving to Katoomba for a couple of days. So, your blog was interesting. Didn't see much mention of wildlife, though. Did you encounter any?

After reading your blog, I'm wondering if we need to hire a car. How did you get from the cruise terminal to the Central station and how was it on the train with your luggage?

We'll be on Golden Princess, in October. So, it looks like port of Brisbane. The Koala Sanctuary looks interesting. We would only be allowed 2 hours at the zoo, and probably more bus time than zoo time. So, that may be a better idea. What would be a good way to get there?

Sent from my iPad using Forums

G

Thanks![emoji3]

Sent from my iPad using Forums

When our ship stops in Brisbane in Oct, we'd like to go to the Australia Zoo. We'll be in port from about 8am - 6pm. Wondering if we're better off doing the ship excursion, or if there is a better alternative?

Thanks!

Are Americans required to have an International Driving Permit to drive in Australia?

Now I really know I'm going to a different country, I have no idea what ya'll are talking about - LOL! Can't wait to give it all (well, some of it) a try!

If you are only staying for a short period, my favourite accommodation is Wardorf Leura Resort, set on 4.1/2 acres of landscaped gardens, opposite the Leura Golf Club. You can do a tour of Lady Fairfax historic gardens established in 1933.

 

If you are staying longer, you have a selection of beautiful holiday houses to choose from.

Looks very nice, but a bit over our budget. I think we've narrowed it down to Blue Mountains Heritage Hotel in Katoomba or High Mountains Motor Inn in Blackheath

Marion, any recommendation on accommodations in Leura?