Vivid01

Gonna make this drive over the aug 15th weekend, taking my time along the way..any suggestions for a good outfit to rent a car from? From what I can see, only Thrifty seems to have an outlet in both areas.

Bokhara2

Are you going to do a one way trip or will you be returning to Townsville?

Vivid01

One way, drop off in PD

Bokhara2

Stand by cars might be able to help
http://www.standbycarhire.com

You may find it easier to do a one-way if you come back to Cairns to drop off. It's only a few kms from Cairns which will have more rental outlets.

If you are flying out from up there you'll be flying from Cairns.

Saltuarius

"over the aug 15th weekend, taking my time"

This is a joke right?? Five hours will be spent driving if you don't take any detors. People who do it in a week are rushing things.

Anyway enjoy the drive.

Bokhara2

Vivid is only going T'Ville to PD, Saltuarius, not the round trip.

Saltuarius

Bokhara2,
If you can do 700 kilometres in five hours you should not be on the road!
OK it might not take quite five hours on a weekend if one gets a good run and pushes the speed limits a little.

Bokhara2

Sal ... according to my map (and the Google "get driving directions" one) it's only about 420kms.

If they're wrong, I stand corrected and will gas up the Cessna

Saltuarius

That's each way and google gives the driving time each way as almost six hours

Bokhara2

Yes, I know - but Vivid's only planning on driving to PD and leaving the car there (see his/her 2nd post).

If he/she were planning on the round trip, I'd agree 100% with you - wouldn't be worth doing in 2 days. But, taking the 2 days to go up, there'd be plenty of time to do it in a leisurely fashion, I would think.

I think the greater issue will be to find a decent rate for a one-way rental to PD, which is why I suggested Vivid consider dropping off in Cairns if that's a workable option.

Saltuarius

OK OK Bokhara2,

Acually I do take your point sort of and was always aware of the destination. (see post title)

Your advice about Cairns is very sound.

Vivid01, do you really want to go as far as Port Douglas and not have time to do anything much there? If so go for it. If not spend the two or hopefully three days getting to Carins. Hope you got a good car rate and sorry for hijacking your thread.

Vivid01

Wow, I feel so special with all this attention

I am grateful for the input and discussion. My plan is to drive from Townsville, leaving on the 15th and checking into my accomodations in PD on the 18th...I am sorry if that was unclear before. So, hopefully I am giving myself plenty of time to drive and see a few sights along the way? I am also staying in PD until the 22th, spending one night in Cairns because of early flight out on 23rd.

I think I would like to keep the car that entire time but am exploring options to drop off in PD or Cairns. I appreciate any advice

Saltuarius

Vivid01,
This is much better than I had first thought.

If you are based in Townsville then you will probably have already been to Paluma. If not it is worth the drive.

I would suggest you have a look at www.greatgreenway.com.au/ as I do not know your interests and so would not advise on what to do. One of those nights would be well spent on the Atherton Tablelands. Lots of wonderful scenery and wildliffe but bring something warm if you come this way as the nights are cool. You could then drive to PD via the inland route as you will be returning via the coast to Cairns.

There are busses from PD to the airport (assuming you are flying out) so the cost of drop of at the airport versus the cost of the bus and convienience are the issues. I'dd keep the car till the airport in case you want to stop on the drive south.