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

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A few restaurants for consideration: Hanuman at the Hilton, Tamarind, Ochre, Salt House. Sadly, nothing to get too excited about though I continue to think that Hanuman is great food for the reasonable prices. I live on a high floor of a high rise with a perfect view across to the sunrise, not far from the Hilton but, at the time we'll be on a flight between LHR and MIA. I should let out the apartment and pay for the trip.
 
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I have confirmed my reservation at The Sebel in Cairns 12-15th premium harbour room @ $364 a night. Go to their main website to book, tripadvisor has it as all booked out. Mum and I will be travelling up in the new Holden V8 ute from Brisbane, as we plan to stay at another place on the way up and also see some family in Maryborough. If there's enough of us we should have a mini get together and talk about all and sundry!
 
I am tempted, but the Accommodation situation is a little unfriendly.
 
We're getting more excited about this now...

Arriving CNS 13 Nov around 9.00am, driving up to Daintree for a Barra lunch (the best Barra I've EVER tasted was straight out of the Daintree and onto my plate at a little hole in the wall cafe - circa 1990, which burnt down sometime later) and on to do the jungle surfing at Cape Trib. in the afternoon before driving back to Cairns to check-in at the Hilton. Up early on the 14th (my 50th birthday) have breakfast, view the eclipse (hopefully we'll have an east facing balcony) @ about 6.49 before meeting a boat @ Marlin Marina for an 8.00am departure to the reef for a day of snorkeling, before being dropped back @ 5.30pm with enough time for a spruce up before either dinner or exec lounge (if it's not too crowded). The 15th is currently planned for a leisurely relaxing breakie before check-out and then a drive probably north to Mosman Gorge (swin definitely only happening if it's a stinking bloody hot day as I don't appreciate 3 adams apples) and lunch at Port Douglas before a drive back to CNS for a 7.30pm flight home!

Of course all this is weather dependant.......alternative, stay dry in the hotel, eat....drink....eat more.......watch movie.......and..........



*****any tips on great Port Douglas restaurants (if there are any) greatly appreciated!******
 
penegal said:
I am tempted, but the Accommodation situation is a little unfriendly.
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Price wise? I am not going to the Solar Eclipse but I will be in Cairns a few days later and paid $95 for 2 nights accommodation.
 
JohnK said:
Price wise? I am not going to the Solar Eclipse but I will be in Cairns a few days later and paid $95 for 2 nights accommodation.
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Try for the 2 nights before the eclipse and you will understand.

Meloz
 
meloz said:
Try for the 2 nights before the eclipse and you will understand.
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I have had a look and it is not easy but still possible to book some motels ~$100-$120 per night but I suspect most on AFF would be looking at 5 star properties and those rates are indeed ridiculous.
 
I think the point is, the majority of room providers are cashing in, as many people will be booking for an event that probably will not happen for another 1700 years around that location.

It is not uncommon when it comes to solar eclipses.

Meloz
 
Okay... thought I'd give some local perspective... hoping not to provide a dampener for those making the journey to CNS to view the Eclipse.

Here's some photos of what our sunrises are like at the moment... pretty typical I think. This is from Sunday at around 6am. For those who want to check out the location in relation to where they may be thinking of viewing the eclipse, you can google the address on maps: it's Aspen Close, Mount Sheridan. This is in the southern suburbs of CNS down in the Mulgrave valley between the two Mountain ranges, so it's certainly not the Northern beaches or Port Douglas, where I understand the best viewing will be over the horizon.

The main point I want to highlight is there is quite a bit of cloud cover due to the mountain ranges. Perhaps you need to head to the Tablelands or out to sea for best viewing... but I'm sure others will know better.

Due east... direct into the sunrise over the mountains but behinds the clouds at 6:05am

photo 1.JPG

North-east toward the city.

photo 2.JPG

North-east again... if you can zoom in, you can see one of the hotels in the city between the trees :D

photo 3.JPG

I really hope that the event is a success... it is such an exciting event for the local tourism. Unfortunately, I'll be out of town for the event, but I'm sure it will be a great time for all regardless the weather. And don't forget to spend up big while you're in CNS... the local economy certainly needs it!
 
Two good feeds in Cairns, Dunwoodys hotel for surf n turf steak, or weekends The Pier for a huge $5 Pizza, yes really.
 
kevrosmith said:
I really hope that the event is a success... And don't forget to spend up big while you're in CNS... the local economy certainly needs it!
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Of course, the beauty of the event tourism wise is that everyone has to pre-spend and commit to a few days there anyway - so tourism operators are guaranteed to do pretty well.

Personally I'll be hanging out with family up on the Tablelands. I'm looking to view from near Mareeba which typically has clearer skies in the morning. I plan to avoid the coastal strip as much as I can all week - I suspect the place will be packed.
 
In fairness, Sunday was the morning of the change (but it did bring the typical coastal cloud cover).

Sat morning at 5:30am (and through to after 7am) was stunningly clear with a perfectly round clear visible sunrise at approx 5:40 ish. A few other mornings last week or so were stunning too.

But I share the concern, it's a 50/50 gamble. It will either be stunningly clear, or obscured by coastal cloud. I doubt it will be in between.

I was originally going to sail out early to watch it, but the realisation sank in that it would be an obscenely early start, so instead I opted to work the early shift (may as well be paid if I'm gonna be awake that early).
 
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The cloud cover will dissapate slightly under the cone of darkness due to cooling. I'm still planning to fly off shore and pick the landfall with the best conditions.

Meloz
 
I can't believe it is almost here. Count down till I am there and getting some diving in before the eclipse.
 
If going out for a feed in PD at this time make sue you book in advance.
 
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