Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Destination

The Potato Cod is a strange fish, but not nearly as strange as the feeling that will come over you once you visit the creature’s home. You’ll have family, friends and a job waiting stateside, but you’ll be reluctant go back. This particular fish makes its home in the Great Barrier Reef near North Queensland, Australia, the discerning scuba diver’s ultimate destination.

Even if you don’t dive, you’re sure to find something here that will capture your imagination. Aboriginal myth and tradition live on in places like the Babinda Boulders, where you could spot a platypus. It’s also home to the World Heritage Rainforest. And the beaches? The further north you go, the nicer they get. You could spend a whole trip surfing from one beach to the next.

Resort Overview

Welcome to Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific Cairns! This luxury resort is set amongst five hectares of tropical landscaped gardens bordering the Cairns Golf Club. Situated only 10 minutes by car from Central Cairns, the resort provides the ideal base for discovering the Great Barrier Reef, spectacular tropical scenery in lush rainforests and lifestyle unique to the region. All apartments are spacious, air-conditioned and offer an open-plan lounge/dining room, with a fully-fitted kitchen and large balconies. Guests have the convenience of two 50-metre pools, a children’s paddling pool, hot and cold spas, putting greens, cafe, shop, tour desk, gymnasium, sauna, barbecue areas and a tennis court. WorldMark Cairns is the ultimate destination to find fun and adventure and yet it is also the perfect place to relax and unwind amongst the laid-back culture of the tropic.

Resort Amenities

Resort facilities include: BBQ area; Golf/golf facilities; Gymnasium; Laundry facilities; Library facilities; Onsite car parking; Sauna/steam room; Security gate; Spa; Swimming pool; Tennis court/sport recreation area; Tour/activities desk.

Unit Amenities

Fully equipped kitchen with microwave and dishwasher, washer and dryer, color TV, VCR, stereo w/ CD, direct dial STD/ISD telephones, air conditioning, two car accommodations and private balcony.

Things to See and Do

Not only does the resort offer direct access to the 18-hole, par 72 Cairns Golf Course, there is an actual putting green on the resort grounds. Should you require a little variety, you will also find a number of beautiful championship courses close by, some with on-site tennis courts, swimming pools, gymnasiums, restaurants and bars.

But there’s a lot more to this area than simply golf. The Kuranda Scenic Railway takes you on a 34 km journey from Cairns through ancient rainforests and hand-carved tunnels to Kuranada. Or, alternatively, you could take the Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for a 7.5 km intimate look at wildlife and tropical foliage. Or consider Crystal Cascades. Set against a lush backdrop, this group of small waterfalls provides a place for a quick dip and an excellent walk to the top.

Many of the Northern Beaches support beautiful esplanades ready to fulfill your every shopping and eating whim. To get a glimpse at what goes on beneath the water’s surface, check out Undersea World. This aquarium contains huge displays with a wide assortment of fish, sharks, sea horses and rays. While you’re checking out the sealife, you might also consider finding out what specialized reef knowledge the “mad Irishman” Paddy has in his very entertaining and informative talk, “Reef Teach.”

Or maybe it’s Aboriginal history and culture you’re interested in. If so, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is dedicated to preserving and presenting authentic Aboriginal culture using the latest high-tech means. In a completely different vein, there’s Raging Thunder Adventures with white-water rafting, tableland balloon flights, sea kayaking, tandem skydives and the mighty North Johnstone Heli Raft.

Cairns nightlife abounds, and not only in local bars and clubs—there’s also the Cairns Night Zoo. Experience tropical nocturnal wildlife at the area’s only nighttime zoo.

And last, but hardly least, venture out and explore for yourself the Great Barrier Reef. Home to more than 2,000 species of fish, plus innumerable species of hard and soft coral, the reef is simply spectacular. Certainly, before you go, you’ll discover that it’s more than the reef which is so “great” about this region!