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[His Royal Monkeyness]

i have a couple weeks in Australia this Nov and am trying to decide between Cairns and Townsville. i have to spend some time visiting friends in Sydney, so won't be able to visit both cities. both have access to the reef, both have some nice beaches nearby, Townsville has Magnetic Island, Cairns has Daintree... i've been to Cairns before and don't recall the town itself being too special - more of a jump off point to the reef or rainforest. this time i'll have the girlfriend along and she appreciates aesthetic beauty (cute towns) and the tropical look.

anyone been to both? did one city stand out as better than the other?

thx!

[starlagurl]

Hey you...

I've never been to either, but I'd say Townsville, since you've never been. Looks like it's also got the tropical look and aesthetic beauty, so you and your girlfriend will be happy I think:

http://www.travelpod.com/photos/0/Australia/Townsville.html

[sianeth]

Townsville is kitsch! But you're right, I don't think Cairns is anything special either. Magnetic Island on the other hand is stunning - if you were going to Townsville then I'd suggest spending most of your time there, otherwise Cairns would probably be the better option, purely for access to the rainforest and decent beaches further up the coast.

[andrea]

I'm going to say Cairns... I enjoyed it much better than Townsville! I found it had amazing diving and then great nightlife!