Christmas and New Year in Cairns...any advice??

Hi

Soooo, i'm coming to australia alone and get to darwin on 13th December - i'll spend a few days there and then get to Cairns for 16th Dec where I plan to spend Christmas and New Year.

However, am completely at a loss as to where's the best hostel to book into - as i'm on my own, it'd be fab to have somewhere quite lively but i'm on quite a tight budget so i'm looking for somewhere reasonably priced.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Also, what are the best things to do in Cairns?

Would love to hear your advice

Em x

What's to do? Dive the Great Barrier Reef and other sports activities:

http://cairns.localtourismnetwork.com/

Where to stay? Try hostelbookers, which has hotels too.

Don't leave it too late to book as Xmas and NY can be busy times for accommodation (and prices go up).