Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Cairns/Skyrail/Dunk Island Timing Questions

OK... having some major difficulties planning our time in the Queensland Beaches/Reef area during our upcomong 2 week trip to OZ.

We'll have a total of 3 nights in this area, sandwiched between Melbourne and Sydney. After a ton of logistical planning, here's what we're thinking. I'm curious to see if people think this is crazy, or if it's a good use of our precious time.

DAY ONE:
- Arrive CNS at 11:50am
- Head to hotel in CNS area
- Pick-up by Skyrail shuttle around 1:30pm
- Experience Skyrail/Kuranda until closing time at 5:15pm
- Head back to CNS for dinner and walk around town

DAY TWO:
- Pick-up by Dunk Island shuttle (Mission Beach Connection) around 7:30 am
- Take 10am boat from Mission Beach to Dunk Island
- Arrive Dunk Island around 10:45am

DAY THREE: On Dunk Island

DAY FOUR:
- Take MacAir flight from from Dunk Island to CNS
- Arrive CNS at 2pm, and take 4:10pm flight to SYD

I guess it sounds like a ton on paper, but we did want to see at least one of the area attractions before heading to the reef. We would have typically wanted to spend more time on the reef to dive, but my wife is pregnant, so we won't be diving this trip.
We had thought about going straight to Dunk Island upon our arrival in CNS, and skipping the Skyrail, but, 1) the flight from MEL gets into CNS too late to catch the shuttle to the boat to Dunk, and 2) the flight from MEL also would require a 3:30 layover at CNS before the MacAir flight to Dunk.

Anyway, hope this all makes sense... curious to see if people think this is a good plan.

Thanks.

- Arrive CNS at 11:50am
- Head to hotel in CNS area
- Pick-up by Skyrail shuttle around 1:30pm

While its not impossible to make this "connection" it might be a little tight if you have checked baggage and do not have prearranged transfer to your hotel.

I remember arriving at CNS at around this time and had to queue for around 1/2hr for a taxi. The ride into town is quite short though.

I dont know how many days you have in MEL, but it may be worthwhile considering arriving in CNS a day earlier. I found CNS to be more interesting than MEL, and deserves more than a single night stay.

Have you thought of spending a night on Green Island instead of Dunk? It is the only coral cay on the reef at least on which you can stay. There are direct transfers from Cairns Marina. I haven't been there for quite a few years but it will be an easier journey especially as your wife is pregnant.
See my comments on Kuranda in this forum -do a search and it should come up. Basically don't waste any of your precious time in the village -do the Skyrail, stop at the stations along the way and try and catch one of the guided walks provided free by the staff and then spend a couple of hours at the Tjapukai centre at the base Skyrail station.
Incidentally if you are staying in Cairns the Shangri-la hotel is right by the Marina.