when up that way I spend time at Mareeba .. about 80 k's from cairns at the Rodeo Grounds .. costs me less than $100.00 (p/w) for a powered site which includes all amenities .. been there twice now ..

Jon

-- Edited by jonathan on Sunday 15th of January 2012 01:46:05 PM

Ive just looked it up a bit pricie for me $38 a day $266 a week.

I don't know that anything is cheap in Cairns. It's so touristy, they want to make their $$$.

Personally, I think you're better to go a bit further out. I haven't stayed anywhere in the area, as I have friends in Malanda on the Tablelands, who I stay with.

 

we stayed at the First City Caravilla, close to all shopping and close to the centre of town. also close to Cazaly's A.F.L. ground (R.S.L) A nice place.
it also has a good Camp Kitchen and pool and you can book your tours from there. also has a storage yard. If there you have to catch the train up to Kuranda and get the Sky Rail back. if any spare cash catch the working boat up to the top, (trinity bay), and get on a tour back, or put your car on and drive that back. 3 nights well worth it.
cheers.

Check out Palm Cove, it is undergoing some upgrades but it was good and cheap

I stayed in the First City Caravilla park for the 2 years I was living in Cairns.  It's a Top Tourist Park, and one of the cheaper in Cairns.  It's location is it's best feature.  The amenities are very clean, and security is a big issue with them.

You can also catch a bus into the city centre if you don't want to drive and pay for parking.  Parking at the Stockland Shopping Centre is free, but not at the Central Shopping Centre.

There are good medical services there, and the skin clinic on Mulgrave Road bulk bills.  Cape Yorke Autos gave me good service for my 4WD, and there is a caravan repairer not far from the park.  He always did the right thing by me, but some say he was pricey. 

The Savannahlander Rail trip inland is a bewdy!  You're gunna luv it!  That's sales spiel for "do it"!  It really is worth the money if you're into something different which takes your through country you can't get to by road, with a great commentary from the drivers, including a lot of history facts.  The Cobold Gorge is a MUST, as well as the Undara Lava Tubes.

It's all great.  The rainforest is also beautiful, and Crystal Cascades, the dam, blah, blah, blah blah.  Just go there and luv it.  Just don't expect beaches.

-- Edited by Cruising Granny on Sunday 15th of January 2012 11:38:29 PM

1st City Caravilla is the most conveniently located and not overpriced by Cairns standards. I've stayed there three years in a row (where I've had the pleasure of meeting Cruising Granny). It's one of the older parks in Cairns and probably could use a bit of a maintenance upgrade, but that said they do keep the amenities etc spotlessly clean.

Cairns is a major regional city but it does have very good public transport and is easy to get around with nice wide streets. I think the parking is free for first three hours at Cairns Central shopping mall, not 100% certain however but I've never had to pay to park there.

Yes Pejay there is a caravan park but you can also camp in the Danbulla State Forest on the north part of the lake for a small fee. Last time we were up there had a look at the sites but did not stay. It was late October so needed power for the air con, Am a bit of a wimp lol