AFF Gathering #9 at CNS on 16 - 18 October

[Bundy Bear]

1 X $165 paid.

Entree:
1 X Smoked Salmon
Main:
1 X Lamb Rump
Dessert:
1 X Lemon Meringue

[TABLE="class: table-base table-datagrid"]
[TR]
[TH]Description[/TH]
[TD] BUNDY BEAR[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Payment details

[TABLE="class: table-base table-datagrid"]
[TR]
[TH]Amount[/TH]
[TD]$165.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Date[/TH]
[TD]9 Sep 2015[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Flights likely QF782 the 11:55am arrival; (not booked as I am waiting for a new credit card statement month.)

 

[kevrosmith]

Just a small suggestion re the day trip on Saturday: I often recommend to friends visiting Cairns to take the train ride up and the Skyrail down. Rising slowly up on the train is rather interesting and slowly provides a birds-eye-view over the Barron valley, and then heading east back over the mountain on the Skyrail gondolas, you suddenly "pop over" the mountain and out of the rainforand Cairns and the coast is spread out below you. Not sure if there's flexibility in the itinerary you've proposed and there may be other factors you're having to consider. Just a few thoughts in case you were interested.

 

[JessicaTam]

Just a small suggestion re the day trip on Saturday: I often recommend to friends visiting Cairns to take the train ride up and the Skyrail down. Rising slowly up on the train is rather interesting and slowly provides a birds-eye-view over the Barron valley, and then heading east back over the mountain on the Skyrail gondolas, you suddenly "pop over" the mountain and out of the rainforand Cairns and the coast is spread out below you. Not sure if there's flexibility in the itinerary you've proposed and there may be other factors you're having to consider. Just a few thoughts in case you were interested.

Thanks for the suggestion, however in order to keep the group together for the bus at the end it is easier if we all come down on the train. Going up on the SkyRail gives people the flexibility to get off at the interim stops if they choose.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Any locals care to comment of Great Adventures - Green Island cruise?

We are keen to do this as well....

I might consider the same,

Just some feedback on Green Island for you guys! We went out there on Sunday and found the island to be a pretty little, quaint island with a small resort on it. Nice enough for a quick trip, but I wouldn't want to stay there any longer than about a 1/2 day. If you are wanting to visit Green Island for the snorkelling, than I have to be honest and say I think you'll be bitterly disappointed. Snorkelling at Green Island may have been nice once, but decades of tourist destruction has wiped out anything decent under water. All that's left is some rock and sea grass. Don't believe the videos they play as I doubt those reefs are anywhere within cooee of Green Island. We also went at a low(ish) tide. That meant there were only 2 beaches available to swim off as the rest was sand/mud flats. High tide may provide some better snorkelling, but I doubt it. It seemed the only coral was just off the jetty and out from shore a fair way.

Sorry all. I didn't want to put a damper on it for you, but I also didn't want you to take a day out of your activities and be disappointed either, with me just sitting here saying nothing. If anyone wants to do a good snorkelling trip and have a spare day, Michaelmas Cay is my recommendation over Green. The benefit of Green is that it's close to Cairns. Big Cat has a smaller fast ferry that does Green in 45 minutes.

Have fun, whichever you decide!

 

[kpc]

Thanks swanning_it...we have the whole Sunday free and are keen snorkelers so will checkout Michaelmas Cay...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Thanks swanning_it...we have the whole Sunday free and are keen snorkelers so will checkout Michaelmas Cay...

Ah, thanks kpc. I was worried that posting a negative about Green may have been a bit insensitive. We're back up there for a function at the end of November and we'll be trying Opel Reef with this crowd out of Pt Douglas. I liked the fact they don't cater to divers, only snorkelers so they choose the best spots for snorkelling. We've never been to Opel Reef but apparently the visibility is excellent. For Michaelmas Cay out of Cairns, we went with this lot, which we were more than happy with (in fact it was a lot better than many other reef trips we've done). Enjoy, I wish we could join you!

 

[kevrosmith]

Here are a few photos from Green Island last September. The dark patches just out from the beach are mostly just dead coral. Agree with swanning_it's comments. I swam out about 80-100 metres out (near where the sailing boats are in the pictures) and there are a few bommies, but agree that they are not spectacular. And while the water is not particularly deep even that far out, I'd only suggest it for regular swimmers.






This is from the jetty. You can see there's a bit more around there.


Here's a comparison to the Outer reef:

 

[Awesom Andy]

I suppose there isn't anywhere else to go to apart from Green Island (in terms of reef) that can be done in half a day? But no matter, I'm happy enough with a dip and a drink (or 5).

 

[kevrosmith]

But don't despair or let it put you off. It is beautiful out there...



And there's lots of other enjoyable activities to participate in...

 

[JessicaTam]

The boat to Green Island leaves at 8.30 and 10.30am, and 1pm, with the returns leaving the island at noon, 2.30 and 4.30pm. So there is plenty of scope for people to get out onto the reef before afternoon flights. The trip is about 45 minutes so heading out at 10.30 and back at 2.30 will give about 3 hours on the island, for example.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I suppose there isn't anywhere else to go to apart from Green Island (in terms of reef) that can be done in half a day? But no matter, I'm happy enough with a dip and a drink (or 5).

Fitzroy does half day trips but you have to book with the island, not through the reef terminal (they only do full day trips). I've never been to Fitzroy so I can't comment about it.

I do agree with kevrosmith, that Green Island is still beautiful, but if you are avid snorkelers of the reef, you would be disappointed. If you want to just swim around for a bit, laze in the sun and get a tan (burn?) it'd be perfect! Please don't let my comments put you off. I did enjoy the 1/2 day.

 

[Bindibuys]

We talked about it tonight, and decided that we did not want to get up and gone by the 8:30 sailing, going at 10am was fine, but leaving at 2:30 is cutting it fine for us to be back at the airport by 4pm. (prob do-able but clock watching)
So.... we are going to have a lazy day Sunday, and look now for a full/half day excursion on the Friday (we arrive Thursday night)

 

[Awesom Andy]

If you want to just swim around for a bit, laze in the sun and get a tan (burn?) it'd be perfect!

That sounds like exactly what I want to do. As long as there's a sizable AFF contingent and alcohol available, that's all I'll need.

 

[serfty]

Having been to Green Island, (swanning_it described it nicely), I'll likely opt for a casual morning in town with perhaps a light lunch before heading out to the airport to inspect the lounges before my 4:35pm flight to BNE.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Having been to Green Island, (swanning_it described it nicely), I'll likely opt for a casual morning in town with perhaps a light lunch before heading out to the airport to inspect the lounges before my 4:35pm flight to BNE.

I can recommend the barramundi spring rolls and a glass of Squealing Pig at Mondos!

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Schedule

I have added the details for the day trip on Saturday to post #2.

The bus will collect people from the Hilton at 9.35am and from the DoubleTree at 9.40am sharp! This will give at least two hours to see the sights of Kuranda. On the way back we will catch the 2pm train down the mountain to Freshwater station where we will get on the bus back to the hotels.

Edit: Can those members not staying at the HH or DT will need to make there way to one of those hotels for the pickup. Please let me know which hotel suits, so I can advise of numbers for the busses.

 

[CaviAck]

Re: Schedule

I have added the details for the day trip on Saturday to post #2.



Edit: Can those members not staying at the HH or DT will need to make there way to one of those hotels for the pickup. Please let me know which hotel suits, so I can advise of numbers for the busses.

I shall amble my way to the HH.

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Schedule

I shall amble my way to the HH.

Thanks.

At this stage I have booked the busses as 20 from each hotel, but will need to firm it up closer to the date.

 

[Polarmolar]

Re: Schedule

I shall amble my way to the HH.

I'll also make my way to HH then, thanks JessicaTam!
As for my travel details, I'm local, so nothing specific for me.

 

[gwilli1]

Re: Schedule

$165 paid.

Entree:
Salmon

Main:
Lamb Rump

Dessert:
Chocolate Fudge Cake


Fri - Drinks & Dinner - yes
Sun - TBA