Tropical North Queensland Holiday

[Steptoe Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steptoe]

I would like some advice from those that have spent some or alot of time around Tropical NQ in December/January. I am currently planning a 3 week holiday starting from Rocky on the 27th December and planing to go up to Cape Tribulation and back to brisbane sometime around the 18th January. We have 4 kids (the youngest being only 13months) and in an atempt to cut costs are considiring hiring a camper trailer instead of staying in Cabins.

My question is- What will the weather be like? Is Camping going to be a possibility or do you think that it will be too hot, to humid, raining too much or just have too many bugs to make camping with 4 kids a reasonable possibility without going insane?

I would appreciate your opinions!!

[plucker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close plucker]

That time of the year will be really hot and humid especially around Cairns north. The good thing is all the falls should start to run and the swimming holes will be clear and great for a swim to cool down.

Townsville in the last 5 or 6 years have struggled to get any decent rain until the end of January, however that could all change. Cairns is wetter.

If you do tow a camper it will be bitumen all the way and there is quite a few free camping spots with a few amenities around. The grey nomads seem to know where they all are. There are also many caravan parks around with pools and entertainment for the billy lids amusement.

Depending on how close to mangroves depends on the sandfly numbers, particularly bad on sunrise and sunset, just camp away from the groves and you will have no worries. Mossies are starting thier full on breed cycle too. A good can of insect repellant is a necessity. If you are in a tent style arangement spray some surface spray on the tent and things will be cool.
Citronella is another good peaceful deterent.
If you have lights just wrap them in yellow cellophone paper and voilla no insects in the dinner.

It will rain in Innisfail/tully and quite possibly most rainforest areas but it will not be cold, so it's bearable. Just use raincoats/towels or wait out the passing showers if it happens.

Make sure your tent/camper is water resistant for a happy camp.
In my opinion if you can handle the heat it is the best time of the year to be up here because everything is growing, breeding, green and the creeks are flowing. The place is alive!!!

[clifton Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close clifton]

Hi Steptoe,

I think Plucker has covered all the main points, I can speak about Mission Beach north no problems camping at Mission beach, a few spots north between Mission and Innisfail eg. Kurramine, Bramston Beach and a little spot at Fishery Falls.

Cairns south on the main road there is a big 4**** spot with great facilities for children and good amenities also, there are a few camping spots in town but can't remember all the names so you should check with RACQ.

North of Cairns is about stuffed for camping facilitiesI live there, Developers have taken over many of the really nice van parks to build units etc. The only camping ground left (For How Long?) is Palm Cove it is right on the water front with upmarket shops and eating places a stones through away$$$.

The next spot is Port Douglas (read Chippies travel comments they are spot on!!! you won't find a dirty Prado there Aye ) but it still is a nice spot to visit for day trips.

If the Financial Director likes shopping then She is well catered for in Cairns Central and Earlville Malls. (sorry I swore)

To wrap up I will repeat this! it is HOT, HUMMID, VERY WET and absolute paradise.

PM me if you want some details.

[plucker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close plucker]

Just spent a bit of time in the tablelands which could be considered on a trip like this. The Prado said it was only 16 degrees on the outside at 1 PM on Monday and it was raining. I think Brisbane was about 30 ish. The coast was also about that temp. But the tablelands are normally about 10 degrees cooler than the coast.
Some of the waterfalls up that way were spectacular. Milla Milla falls on the 15km round ciruit of 3 falls was the pick.
Most of the falls you can swim in and all the kids would be happy if not cold.
I think even the Vics would have felt it.
Just another option for your camping anyway.

[Steptoe Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steptoe]

Thanks for all the info guys!!! Unfortunately it looks like there are going to problems with my extended family that are going to prevent the trip from happening this year. Oh well I guess that means I have alot more time to plan the trip and get it "just right" I allways think the opinions of people that either live there or have "been there, done that" are 10 times more valuable than anything you can read in a tourism brochure. Will keep you posted if the trip goes ahead.

[djolsen4wdtours Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close djolsen4wdtours]

Probably for the best. Now you can plan to be here in July to Sept period when you will think it is heaven and won't want to leave.

[tri_in_oz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tri_in_oz]

A lovely spot to stay is Haleys at Ayton, just near the mouth of the Bloomfield River. No connection etc