Solar Eclipse in Cairns/Port Douglas - Nov 13-14, 2012 - who is going?

[Taezar]

I made the decision to go about 5 minutes ago.
I will get the lovely people at Tourism Queensland/Sunlover Holidays to arrange it all for me.
But am curious - is anyone else thinking about going?
Eclipse 2012 - Cairns Great Barrier Reef Official Tourism Website

 

[opusman]

No but am thinking of Hawaii in June for the transit of Venus!

 

[Simo]

It's mid week so no idea of my schedule at the moment for that far away.

Possible yes i might be there.

 

[dfcatch]

Some of the live aboard boats have been booked out for months

 

[Taezar]

After corresponding with my agent, all I can say is this:
If you are even contemplating going - book now on a free cancellation room - there is very limited availability left between Cairns and Port Douglas. What is left is cheap and cheerful or ridiculously expensive. Flights are still OK at the moment.
Sunlover Holiday's entire accomodation allowance is gone - so I have to book the room myself (no worries there - I do that all the time) and she will do my flights and I will most likely go out diving again.
Cheers
Taez
EDIT: My agent from TQ rocks! She found a 4 star room for me 2 blocks from Trinity Bay (Esplanade in Cairns) just around the corner for the most amazing restaurant I went to over Christmas, on low season price with stay 4 pay 3 offer. Flights booked, room booked, diving booked. It is going to rock!!!

 

[Ewing]

I could...

There are no rooms available for standard reservations on 13 Nov 2012 - 14 Nov 2012 at Hilton Cairns hotel. Because you are an HHonors® Diamond VIP, you can choose from the rooms shown below

Rates don't seem that bad (~$400). I could book it, but it's traditionally a very busy time of year for me so being mid-week there's a high chance I'd need to pull out.

 

[Taezar]

I could...





Rates don't seem that bad (~$400). I could book it, but it's traditionally a very busy time of year for me so being mid-week there's a high chance I'd need to pull out.

Yeah I could get a room at pulman but it was a little more than that.
Want me to put you on my booking? If you make it you make it, if you don't it's ok. It isn't the hilton, but DMing you on Twitter the hotel. Oh yeah - did I mention it is free?

 

[medhead]

I could really do this. Is cairns city in the path of the full eclipse. It appears to be. I went to OLP for an eclipse a few years ago, so I need to get some more pictures.

Might be able to crash with friends. Umm?


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[meloz]

I am an solar eclipse freak having travelled in the past to Antalya Turkey 2006 and more recently Mangaia in the Cook Islands 2010. Add 2 more in Australia.

If it happens right you will never forget it.

Total Solar Eclipses are always a gamble and research leads me to believe the path of totaltility around Cairns and Douglas will be clouded out at first light on the coast for this event.

I have chosen to view it 20-40kms offshore with a mate in his home built amphibious aircraft to increase my chances. I still have doubts due to the expected weather during that time of the year.

Meloz

 

[Taezar]

I have booked a car for two days (including THE day) just incase the weather is against us - so I can outdrive the weather. But it is a gamble either way... one I am willing to take.
Hope to catch up for a drink the night before.
Taez'

 

[meloz]

I have booked a car for two days (including THE day) just incase the weather is against us - so I can outdrive the weather. But it is a gamble either way... one I am willing to take.
Hope to catch up for a drink the night before.
Taez'

Best of luck with that plan. Keep in mind first contact is just after sunrise leaving little time to re-locate.

I will be based in a hangar at the Innisfail airfield, we plan to depart at first light for one of several sand kays offshore.

Meloz

 

[Taezar]

True. But if I wake at 4am and it is pissing down I can try and relocate. The guy from the Brisbane plane'arium will be there w the radio station I listen to so will follow them.

 

[PD Solar]

Cairns is not in line with the Solar eclipse. The redline will be centred over Oak Beach which is only 10mins from Port Douglas. From all reports it is going to be a busy time around the area and reading some other posts about trying to drive anywhere for a better location if weather turns bad could be difficult as there will be lots of travel groups around the area. There is some great private viewing locations that you may want to look at and I still believe there is a bit of accommodation in Port Douglas. This site here will give more information if you need any more help with planning a trip to North Queensland for this great event...

 

[PD Solar]

A sand kay is a great idea to view it.. how cool would that be.. I think cruise ships are also going to be a great viewing platform... anyone looking to view the eclipse from Four Mile Beach?

 

[penegal]

Sounds like an interesting idea, but mid-week dates aren't the best for me. Either way, I'm subscribing to the thread

 

[Robert Qld]

I've been thinking about doing this but I have the added issue of an ex who I still get along with living in Cairns and the issue of whether to stay with them or not (out of convenience - not just hotel - but transport as well). Ahhh... first world problems.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Lisa and I are already booked at the Hilton (and no kids this time.....yeah).

The eclipse just happens to be on my 50th birthday, so we decided.......why not!

I've also got a car booked and we arrive 13th, depart 15th.

As the Hilton is fully booked, I'm assuming the lounge will be shoulder to shoulder, so we'll probably go out each night for drinks/dinner.

Any suggestions for good restaurants/watering holes from the locals eagerly invited along with anyone else interested in joining us.

 

[Taezar]

Best restaurant in town (well yummy and reasonably priced) is the Bali Hut. Freaking awesome. Catch up for a drink?

 

[samh004]

With the current QF J sale, fares look good to CNS

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Best restaurant in town (well yummy and reasonably priced) is the Bali Hut. Freaking awesome. Catch up for a drink?

We'll be in that for sure.