My wife and I will be flying to Cairns this July. We are trying to pick 3 places we could go to, for 4-5 nights per place. Although I've been to CNS once before, I wouldn't mind staying there again - however, I know there's a wealth of other nearby choices - I get swamped just looking at all the possibilities of tropical islands we could visit. I could really use some expert advice. Open to any suggestions, but would appreciate it if you include hotel suggestions too (and for that matter, any favorite restaurants - I AM SO EXCITED at the thought of eating in Australia again!!! For starters, why can't the US have bacon like yours?!) Trying to decide if we want to fly any where outside the immediate area for one of our stops (i.e. BNE or Gold Coast), or just concentrate on CNS/Port Douglas/Islands/etc region. Hopefully, wherever we end up I'll be able to unload some Hilton points.

Thanks a bunch!!