The last supper? New years in Cairns and Palm Cove (again)

[bPeteb]

We've been to FNQ for new years for three years in a row now - Port Douglas, Port Douglas and Palm Cove and this year Cairns and Palm Cove. This year, not that I am the slightest bit religious, but we looked at this as the last supper due to my uc refusing to go away no matter what drugs have been tried. Surgery is next option. We were going to enjoy ourselves!

Booked in March with a couple of other domestic trips to take advantage of a dsc offer although I'm still waiting for the dscs. Last flights only took a couple of days. Will be following up if they don't land by the end of next week.

Decided on four nights in Cairns and two in Palm Cove. I wanted ocean view rooms this time. Found a crazy price with Qantas hotels at the Cairns Plaza Hotel for an ocean front 'suite' - $185 per night, then an equally good price for an ocean spa suite at Paradise on the Beach at Palm Cove $265 p/n. More on the latter later.

We also decided we needed a car this time and booked a small SUV with Avis for three days to pick up in the city and drop off at the airport. I have a really old corp code and the car was an even sillier price then the hotel rooms!

Finally a couple of weeks before we were due to travel we booked dinners for nye and nyd as Palm Cove is difficult to get reservations over this time - Kushi for nye and Temple of Taste at Sea Temple for the degustation with paired wines on nyd.

Not quite drron and mrsdrron's wonderful end of year jaunt to Asia but nevertheless, off we go.

 

[bPeteb]

When we originally booked the flights we were heading to Cairns at midday, with a mid-afternoon arrival into Cairns. The departure time changed a number of times before we left and we ended up leaving at just after 9, meaning we'd arrive too early for check in.

Our housesitter dropped us off at the airport and after a panic that I'd left my phone at home (I'd put it in the secret pocket of my bag!) we went through a very quiet premium entry and up into the j lounge. The rain was pouring as we boarded so no tarmac/back steps for us. Back steps? Yep, I'd booked us into row 29 so that I could access the loo easily.

The flight left on time and after getting up through the cloud it was a clear and smooth run up to Cairns.

The snack was, interesting. No suggested chutney and I'm sure mine was still a bit uncooked in the middle. Sometimes the box meals aren't great.



We got a cab straight to the Cairns Plaza Hotel — and to our surprise our room was ready and it was waaaaaaaaaay better than I expected. bAl had done a lot more research than me so wasn't surprised. We had a room on the fourth floor of six. Three wouldn't have been anywhere near as good. The view was excellent, if a little grey



The space was excellent too. It is an older building that has been refurbished pretty well. Living room with kitchenette, separate bedroom with huge joined balcony, nice bathroom.









We wandered into town and got breakfast food, cheese and crackers and alcohol supplies.

 

[kookaburra75]

Sorry to miss you and Al on the NYE just gone at Palm Cove. We really enjoyed catching up last year, despite the down pour on New Years Eve itself.

We did our Birthday Run in October to the RBH at Palm Cove and The Peninsula at Port Douglas (note to self to do Trip Report). We're repeating the run this Oct for my sort of major birthday. Let us know if you're around.

 

[NSun]

I love Cairns and I always stay at the Plaza Hotel - it does the job well.

 

[bPeteb]

Sorry to miss you and Al on the NYE just gone at Palm Cove. We really enjoyed catching up last year, despite the down pour on New Years Eve itself.

We did our Birthday Run in October to the RBH at Palm Cove and The Peninsula at Port Douglas (note to self to do Trip Report). We're repeating the run this Oct for my sort of major birthday. Let us know if you're around.

Hi J&M, hope you're both well and yes, it was fun. Another downpour this year as soon as the fireworks finished! Must be a Palm Cove thing. Yes, trip report please. My majorish ending in zero birthday will be spent at sea in a couple of months.

 

[bPeteb]

Clearly my brain is quite addled. For lunch on the first day we went to Crave Cairns - Vibrant Healthy Breakfast and Lunch before we went to Woolies.

bAl had the breakfast burrito and a bloody mary



and I had what looks like eggs bennie and a smoothie. Both delicious..



View out across the inlet into the rain. Crystalbrook Riley to the right. Their oceanfront rooms >$500 although their pool a tad bigger, and nicer.



we sat on on the verandah after got back and watched one of the world's highest rated ships, Europa 2, sail out into the gloom Hapag-Lloyd Europa 2 Cruise - Ship Review - Photos & Departure Ports on Cruise Critic







Dinner was at the Double Tree Hilton. Argentinian tapas at The Vine Room.



The coughtails were excellent, this one like a dessert in a glass

 

[craven morehead]

We've been to FNQ for new years for three years in a row now - Port Douglas, Port Douglas and Palm Cove and this year Cairns and Palm Cove. This year, not that I am the slightest bit religious, but we looked at this as the last supper due to my uc refusing to go away no matter what drugs have been tried. Surgery is next option. We were going to enjoy ourselves!

Booked in March with a couple of other domestic trips to take advantage of a dsc offer although I'm still waiting for the dscs. Last flights only took a couple of days. Will be following up if they don't land by the end of next week.

Decided on four nights in Cairns and two in Palm Cove. I wanted ocean view rooms this time. Found a crazy price with Qantas hotels at the Cairns Plaza Hotel for an ocean front 'suite' - $185 per night, then an equally good price for an ocean spa suite at Paradise on the Beach at Palm Cove $265 p/n. More on the latter later.

We also decided we needed a car this time and booked a small SUV with Avis for three days to pick up in the city and drop off at the airport. I have a really old corp code and the car was an even sillier price then the hotel rooms!

Finally a couple of weeks before we were due to travel we booked dinners for nye and nyd as Palm Cove is difficult to get reservations over this time - Kushi for nye and Temple of Taste at Sea Temple for the degustation with paired wines on nyd.

Not quite drron and mrsdrron's wonderful end of year jaunt to Asia but nevertheless, off we go.

Ring Ring, I'm in

 

[craven morehead]

When we originally booked the flights we were heading to Cairns at midday, with a mid-afternoon arrival into Cairns. The departure time changed a number of times before we left and we ended up leaving at just after 9, meaning we'd arrive too early for check in.

Our housesitter dropped us off at the airport and after a panic that I'd left my phone at home (I'd put it in the secret pocket of my bag!) we went through a very quiet premium entry and up into the j lounge. The rain was pouring as we boarded so no tarmac/back steps for us. Back steps? Yep, I'd booked us into row 29 so that I could access the loo easily.

The flight left on time and after getting up through the cloud it was a clear and smooth run up to Cairns.

The snack was, interesting. No suggested chutney and I'm sure mine was still a bit uncooked in the middle. Sometimes the box meals aren't great.

View attachment 313805

We got a cab straight to the Cairns Plaza Hotel — and to our surprise our room was ready and it was waaaaaaaaaay better than I expected. bAl had done a lot more research than me so wasn't surprised. We had a room on the fourth floor of six. Three wouldn't have been anywhere near as good. The view was excellent, if a little grey

View attachment 313806

The space was excellent too. It is an older building that has been refurbished pretty well. Living room with kitchenette, separate bedroom with huge joined balcony, nice bathroom.

View attachment 313809

View attachment 313808

View attachment 313810

View attachment 313807

We wandered into town and got breakfast, snack and alcohol supplies.

Dinner was at The Vine Room at the Double Tree Hilton, only a couple of hundred metres away towards town. Argentinian, delicious and for some reason no photos.

I had to look twice when I read "Back Steps"

Definitely scored a great room!

 

[bPeteb]

Just realised I had taken photos of dinner the night before. Previous post has been updated.

Early morning low cloud across the inlet



I wasn't up to much other than sitting on the verandah. We wandered across the road in the rain to LUNCH/DINNER | muddyscafe where we shared fish tacos and a piggy smalls. Again delicious but no photos.

The gloomy but atmospheric view



My photograhy was a little lacking this trip. Forgot to take aphot of our hotel from the front but luckily got one from the side. Our room is on level four behind the artwork



Late in the afternoon it cleared. First we stopped at the Crystalbrook Bailey CC’S Bar & Grill | Cairns Steakhouse | Crystalbrook Bailey and had a beautiful French rose.



I had a friends of Crystalbrook card that gives you 10% off anything and everything. For some reason I got even more off the wine.

We'd planned to go to Cairns Greek Restaurant - Yaya’s Cairns - Bringing Love To The Table but it was booked for a private function. We ended up just up the road at rendezvous – RENDEZVOUS-DU-VIETNAM MARCHE and it was ghe best Vietnamese food we've had outside of Vietnam

 

[bPeteb]

Day three and another lazy day. It even fined up! After a quick visit to the bank (we'd been sent a check by St George that needed deposting) we kept wandering and came across Cairns Location — Sauce Brewing Co. We had a platter, then some beers, and maybe a cheeky cider then went into their bottlo and found bAl's favourite gin Greenhouse Gin for 30% off so bought two bottles, then I thought I'd better support the local industry and bought a bottle of Dog Days Gin | Narrow Tracks Distilling



and then of course I had to also buy a t-shirt!

We went for a walk along the waterfront

some turtles near Hemingways



and by bizarre coincidence some local friends saw us wander by where they were having lunch. We didn't hear their shouts so they called us and we wandered back to say hello.

They called in for a visit and a few drinks and after they left we went downstairs and next door to Bali Bagus Cafe for a simple but tasty dinner. Then we walked up the boardwalk to take some pics of the ferris wheel

 

[bPeteb]

Such an odd trip. No way was I game to walk further than town and back. I was much braver in NZ and started taking longer walks but things had gone downhill since we came home. I'd recently begun 'topical treatment' with something called tacrolimus and had not long come off yet another round of high dose pred. I'd seen the surgeon mid December and was due to speek again the week after we get back to make the final decision. I knew what it would be.

Luckily today was car pick up day so less walking required.

Many years ago my company had Avis as their preferred supplier and we had a corporate code that always gave a decent discount. I've hung onto the corp code and Avis is usually who we rent through unless someone is cheaper. In the last while the code seems to be providing rates way way less than anyone else and so it was we found ourselves at the Avis desk in Lake St to pick up what was supposed to be a small SUV (KIA Stonic or similar).

They had very few cars in the lot, mainly large SUVs, def nothing small. As the rental was being finalised I could see a Skoda key on the desk and asked are we getting a Skoda and the rep said yes. I told her that was excellent and we wouldn't need to learn anything new because that's what we had at home. About a five times upgrade to a Kodiaq, our Karoq's big sibling.





love the warning. Sadly some people clearly don't check



We drove up a very narrow and winding road to Copperlode Falls Dam where we intended to go for a short walk but we couldn't find where they were.



I used to collect these by the thousand when I was a kid



a wrightia near the information centre



It would have been nice to do some sort of walk but it wasn't to be.

We drove back to the hotel, had a nice long swim and then returned to our balcony to watch the world go by and the reef trips return.

Dinner was across the road at Asian Fusion Restaurant on Cairns Esplanade | Paper Crane. Our reservation was for 7:15 and told straight away that the kitchen closed at 8:30. After our first drinks, service was sloooooooooooow. For some reason the 'feed me' options weren't available and neither were some other meals. Nevertheless the food was quite nice and the service while slow was very personable. Best of all the 10% discount made the final bill reasonable.

After a couple of good coughtails we settled on a sparkling Rose from Coal River. We were well into our emal when I decided I needed to remind them about it. Excellent wine.





For meals it's a share thing and we had an assortment. When prawn and squid dumplings arrived I was very confused as I knew that bAl had said no to them and we'd ordered the green chicken curry dumplings. I thought I must have been mistaken but not long after the chicken dumplings arrived with an applogy that the kitchen had sent out the prawn dumplings in error. I was happy, as I thought the green curry dumplings were stodgy and the prawn and squid much better.

We foolishly ordered desserts. We seem to eat because we can. It explains my protruding belly but if this was to be my 'last supper' or two I was going out with a bang.

My sago cheesecake was delicious



but bAl's forbidden rice pudding was just too big, even if it was also delicious



a nice meal in a nice venue and we'd consider going back next time we travel up to Cairns, although we might try other Crystalbrook restaurants first.

 

[bPeteb]

New year's eve and Palm Cove beckoned but first the floor plan at Cairns Plaza. We were in the room at the far right under 'Esplanade'. It was set up so that you could also book the room next door and use as interconnecting with a card lock door off the main hallway. Excellent room. You would want to be on level four or above to get sea views. I think we were in 408.




We stopped at Yorkey's and had some lunch sat out on the beach then drove up to Palm Cove. I'd originally thought we were going to do a loop via Malanda but that must have been a plan three or four ago.

Got to Palm Cove and it was heaving. Crazy compared to the last couple of years. Way too early to check in so parked right up the end in the public carpark near the jetty. bAl though we should go for a swim but we had no swimmers on and had forgotten to bring our travel towels. Not sure how he thought we were going to dry.

For some reason we hadn't been to the surf club in any of our previous visits so lunch it was. Great squid and a very acceptable antipasti.

Today was supposed to be miserable! New year's day even worse, bad enough for us to cancel dinner at Sea Temple. The walk there wasn't worth the risk from either a weather or gut perspective.

The terrible view from our table







Best of all $20 in the pokies saw us walk out with lunch paid

2 oclock arrived so we walked down and checked in. Parking was a first come best dressed kind a thing. There was one very awkward park left in the carpark that was full of folded up boxes. We asked reception if we could move them and was told of course. Left them there, raced up and got the car and maneurvered it into the spot.

To our room at Paradise on the Beach Dreamtime Resorts | Premier Australian Resorts & Apartments

bAl had pre-warned me about the location of the room. Right across the road was a kid's playground and under our room was Rattle and Hum. It was New Year's Eve! I clearly should have been listening more closely because I just wasn't prepared for either.

The room itself was nice, but odd. It was also huge. Instead of glass louvres it had timber louvres that provided no privace if open and darkness if closed. I hate king beds at the best of times but this one had a very noticable join in the middle so a good night's sleep was difficult. The bed in Cairns had been way better. I'll say straight up we would not book this room again and would not recommend it.

 

[bPeteb]

and the floor plan of level 2 of the resort. We like the resort and if we go back we'll request either 214 or 215



our room circeld and as you can see Rattle N Hum is right under it. Unwise choice for nye.




dinner was at the terrific Kushi. Kushi-Yakitori Bar & Japanese Restaurant (weird facebook address!)



We ate here last nyd and hoped to this year as well but they were closed Sundays and they offered nye instead. Offer accepted.
Long line to get in and very happy to find ourselves on the outside verandah. Made our own gold and tans with draught Asahi and can's of Asahi black. Food was excellent



staff great and excellent sake to finish off the night




We couldn't see the firworks and didn't care. We did see everyone scattering as the fireworks ended and the rain poured down

The rain had stopped by the time we went back to our hotel but omg, the noise coming out of Rattle N Hum was just crazy. We turned up my iPad as loud as it would go and we could just about hear it over the noise (music?). Cracked open some beers, then some ciders and settle in. Thankfully they finished at 1am.

 

[bPeteb]

New year's day was a day of nothing. Sat out on the verandah and tried to ignore the squeaking swing and screaming kids. More booze helped although this wasn't great.



Had a swim in the hotel pool instead of the sea. Nice pool, pretty big, good temperature.



Had dinner downstairs at Rattle N Hum and it was ordinary but staff really nice. It rained on and off all evening so lucky we didn't make the trek down to Sea Temple. So love the teatrees at Palm Cove but also fully cognizant of the danger they represent



Jan 2 and time to go home. Lazed around until 10 then went for a walk along the esplanade before heading back to the airport. Car was due back at 11:15 and flight was at 12:15.

Lounge was super busy and filled with families. A couple of them with many, many small kids that ran riot. The toilet was like a war zone with toilet paper and tissue seat protectors strewn everywhere. I heard who I guess to be a grandmother apologise to one of the staff. Glad when the Melbourne flight was called.

We'd chosen seats at the back of the bus again so that I was near the loos but had also put in an upgrade request for me. It came through very late nyd night. Poor bAl was on his own down there with the families (he was flying on points, like we usually book).

bAl wandering across the tarmac on his lonesome



J was full. The two behind clearly hadn't ever done it before. The couple in 1A and B horribly entitled and rude and had no problem filling as much of the limited locker space as they could with way too many bags. The guy beside me on his way to LAX.

Lunch was quite decent even if it didn't look great. Brisket and sweet potato mash. The Christmas pudding thing is still in the fridge



The couple infront on their way home from three months away. Hubby was given a barely touched bottle of red (I think at least one had already been consumed) by the CSM as we started our decent.

bAl met me on the aerobridge as he came up the stairs. Hlo so after a loo visit out to the very short cab queue and off home. A super restful trip and the cooler weather suited us fine. Unless we find something lese we'll most likely be back in 12 months.

My health did impact the trip but it is what it is. I've had a video chat with my gastro since we got home and decided to give my latest treatment - topical tacromilus - one more month. If there's no big improvement, it's time for my surgeon to do his thing.

Despite all of this I'm looking forward to spending four nights on Quantum of the Seas in early March to celebrate my next zero birthday in this, my Chinese horoscope year, the year of Peter the Rabbit

 

[VPS]

New year's day was a day of nothing. Sat out on the verandah and tried to ignore the squeaking swing and screaming kids. More booze helped although this wasn't great.

View attachment 313992

Had a swim in the hotel pool instead of the sea. Nice pool, pretty big, good temperature.

View attachment 313994

Had dinner downstairs at Rattle N Hum and it was ordinary but staff really nice. It rained on and off all evening so lucky we didn't make the trek down to Sea Temple. So love the teatrees at Palm Cove but also fully cognizant of the danger they represent

View attachment 313993

Jan 2 and time to go home. Lazed around until 10 then went for a walk along the esplanade before heading back to the airport. Car was due back at 11:15 and flight was at 12:15.

Lounge was super busy and filled with families. A couple of them with many, many small kids that ran riot. The toilet was like a war zone with toilet paper and tissue seat protectors strewn everywhere. I heard who I guess to be a grandmother apologise to one of the staff. Glad when the Melbourne flight was called.

We'd chosen seats at the back of the bus again so that I was near the loos but had also put in an upgrade request for me. It came through very late nyd night. Poor bAl was on his own down there with the families (he was flying on points, like we usually book).

bAl wandering across the tarmac on his lonesome

View attachment 313996

J was full. The two behind clearly hadn't ever done it before. The couple in 1A and B horribly entitled and rude and had no problem filling as much of the limited locker space as they could with way too many bags. The guy beside me on his way to LAX.

Lunch was quite decent even if it didn't look great. Brisket and sweet potato mash. The Christmas pudding thing is still in the fridge

View attachment 313997

The couple infront on their way home from three months away. Hubby was given a barely touched bottle of red (I think at least one had already been consumed) by the CSM as we started our decent.

bAl met me on the aerobridge as he came up the stairs. Hlo so after a loo visit out to the very short cab queue and off home. A super restful trip and the cooler weather suited us fine. Unless we find something lese we'll most likely be back in 12 months.

My health did impact the trip but it is what it is. I've had a video chat with my gastro since we got home and decided to give my latest treatment - topical tacromilus - one more month. If there's no big improvement, it's time for my surgeon to do his thing.

Despite all of this I'm looking forward to spending four nights on Quantum of the Seas in early March to celebrate my next zero birthday in this, my Chinese horoscope year, the year of Peter the Rabbit

Good luck with your health issues

 

[drron]

All the best @bpeteb . Another nice report. We will have to look at FNQ again but basically has to wait until our cruise scedule gets less.

 

[OZDUCK]

Hope things work out for the best bpeted. Another enjoyable TR.

 

[Stewey]

Excellent TR @bpeteb and all the best with your health issues

I'm off to Cairns on the 20 Jan for a few days staying at the Abbott Hotel in Abbot Street

it was formerly known as The Great Northern Hotel; Lee Marvin's famous watering hole (The Marlin Bar) was in the hotel and rumour has it that it is where the Queen stayed on her Royal Tour in 1970 for 1 night

 

[Flyfrequently]

Very late to this party @bPeteb as we are heading to FNQ tomorrow.
Have stayed at Cairns Plaza Hotel and agree those rooms are pretty good - we were 4th floor left end room.
Funny, we seem to source out the same spots, Bali Bagus and of course Peppers on Magnetic Island comes to mind 2023! Staying in Palm Cove, this time at Mantra as we have our teen grandson joining us.
Will check out a few of the places you have mentioned

 

[Saab34]

The Paradise would be a great facility if it had a full referb, it often can be the best priced in the whole region at times, even in peak for a last minute trip we have managed to saved considerable. It really is a bit shabby in parts sadly.

There is a new inland resort which opened last year just down the road at Trinity Beach, the Trinity collective, I highly recommend also, brand new gated like resort.