G'day Bashaw, congrats on taking the plunge with your hunt "down-under", let me wish you all the very best of success on your hunt and I hope your visit to our wonderfull country meets with your expectations.
With regards to staying in either Cairns or Port Douglas may I advise, if you have the time , try and spend at least a couple of days in each as they are quite different.
Cairns is a fair sized City, great beaches, golf courses, tourism options etc, whereas Port Douglas is still a quaint, small sized sea-side resort, with all the same ammenities only on a smaller scale.
(If you happen to be in Port on a Friday night, make sure you drop in to Macrossans Hotel for a few quiet ones and some live music).
For accomms in Cairns visit;
Travel: Cheap Flights, Hotels, Holiday Packages & Car Hire | Expedia.com.au
(There are some fantastic off-shore, blue water fishing oportunities whilst in Cairns, including game fishing charters whilst your wives are spending all your money in the jewellry, clothing and suiveneer shops !)
The Mirage Port Douglas is indeed very "flash" and extremely opulant, if that's your (or your wive's) thing, with a lagoon that surrounds the Motel/Resort and a competition grade, 14 hole, golf course.
Ofcourse, you don;t have to spend that much, for more options visit;
Port Douglas Info.com - Port Douglas Accommodation, Activities & Info
Whilst in Port you can visit the Miranda Markets (up in the rainforest hills, you'll need a hire car) or your within a stones throw of the Daintree River (National Heratige Listed) and only 28 miles from the reef.
Either way both towns have their own appeal and are definitley worth the visit.
Safe travel and best of luck on your hunt,
Paul Truccolo.
