South Pacific vs Far North Queensland

bj999923:40 UTC12 Apr 2011

Hi all

I'm planning a trip up to Cairns for later this year - I've been twice and loved it. My housemates are doing the same except going to Vanuatu and it got me thinking about the differences between the 2 regions and I would love to get some feedback from those who have been to the various South Pacific Islands (Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands).

I live in Melbourne so what I love about FNQ is that you can grab a cheap ($100 - $150) direct flight and leave the bitterly cold Melbourne winters to be in tropical Cairns by lunch-time. Fiji is the only south pacific island you can fly to directly from Melbourne and I hate wasting time stuffing around with transfers. I think accomodation in the Cairns Beaches (i.e. Trinity Beach) is very reasonable compared with Gold Coast, Brisbane etc, car hire is cheap and food is fairly reasonable although I think the Reef activities are very expensive. The beaches and weather are stunning (it looks exactly like it does on the postcards) and the people are relaxed and friendly (provided you get away from the overpriced honeymoon hell of Port Douglas).

Would you choose a South Pacific Island over FNQ? If you want to experience culture of another country I understand wanting to go to another country (FNQ has zero culture lol!) but if you just want to lie on the beach/pool and sip cocktails for a week wouldn't you rather do it somewhere that is quicker and cheaper to get to? Interestingly I have been to the islands of Thailand and the beach towns of central Vietnam and though they take agggges to get to and the facilities can be a bit limited, once you get there everything is ridiculously cheap and easy.

I'm especially interested to know what people would choose - FNQ vs South Pacific (specifically which island) for:

getting there, back and around once you are there (i.e. flights, boat transfers etc)
good value accomodation
good value interesting activities
food and drink (is it more expensive than Aus?)
getting 'away from the tourists/off the beaten track'

Interested to know your thoughts

Thanks

ozziegiraffe14:28 UTC13 Apr 2011

If you are interested in another culture in the developing world, and definitely getting off the beaten track then go to a Pacific Islands country (there are many more than the 4 you mention).
Otherwise, if all you plan is beach and watersports, don't bother.
You will find some things are much cheaper than home, and others (specially if it has to be imported) far more expensive.

silvanocat15:04 UTC13 Apr 2011

Can you actually swim there on your FNQ beaches or is there danger of poisonous jellyfish and such?

ozziegiraffe15:11 UTC13 Apr 2011

From about April to October, it is safe to swim.

calumet18:36 UTC13 Apr 2011

If you do settle on the South Pacific this blog should make your experience much more enjoyable; especially since you mention learning about a new culture.

http://amsamoa-busycorner.blogspot.com/

The podcasts are free and downloadable.

Enjoy your trip.

From Pago,

South Pacific vs Far North Queensland Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
bj999923:40 UTC12 Apr 2011	Hi all I'm planning a trip up to Cairns for later this year - I've been twice and loved it. My housemates are doing the same except going to Vanuatu and it got me thinking about the differences between the 2 regions and I would love to get some feedback from those who have been to the various South Pacific Islands (Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands). I live in Melbourne so what I love about FNQ is that you can grab a cheap ($100 - $150) direct flight and leave the bitterly cold Melbourne winters to be in tropical Cairns by lunch-time. Fiji is the only south pacific island you can fly to directly from Melbourne and I hate wasting time stuffing around with transfers. I think accomodation in the Cairns Beaches (i.e. Trinity Beach) is very reasonable compared with Gold Coast, Brisbane etc, car hire is cheap and food is fairly reasonable although I think the Reef activities are very expensive. The beaches and weather are stunning (it looks exactly like it does on the postcards) and the people are relaxed and friendly (provided you get away from the overpriced honeymoon hell of Port Douglas). Would you choose a South Pacific Island over FNQ? If you want to experience culture of another country I understand wanting to go to another country (FNQ has zero culture lol!) but if you just want to lie on the beach/pool and sip cocktails for a week wouldn't you rather do it somewhere that is quicker and cheaper to get to? Interestingly I have been to the islands of Thailand and the beach towns of central Vietnam and though they take agggges to get to and the facilities can be a bit limited, once you get there everything is ridiculously cheap and easy. I'm especially interested to know what people would choose - FNQ vs South Pacific (specifically which island) for: getting there, back and around once you are there (i.e. flights, boat transfers etc) good value accomodation good value interesting activities food and drink (is it more expensive than Aus?) getting 'away from the tourists/off the beaten track' Interested to know your thoughts Thanks
ozziegiraffe14:28 UTC13 Apr 2011	If you are interested in another culture in the developing world, and definitely getting off the beaten track then go to a Pacific Islands country (there are many more than the 4 you mention). Otherwise, if all you plan is beach and watersports, don't bother. You will find some things are much cheaper than home, and others (specially if it has to be imported) far more expensive.	1
silvanocat15:04 UTC13 Apr 2011	Can you actually swim there on your FNQ beaches or is there danger of poisonous jellyfish and such?	2
ozziegiraffe15:11 UTC13 Apr 2011	From about April to October, it is safe to swim.	3
calumet18:36 UTC13 Apr 2011	If you do settle on the South Pacific this blog should make your experience much more enjoyable; especially since you mention learning about a new culture. http://amsamoa-busycorner.blogspot.com/ The podcasts are free and downloadable. Enjoy your trip. From Pago, JW	4