The Boathouse is off, too expensive. Update below. I looked at Mt Carbine but they are almost fully booked, only one cabin and camping spots left.
The place I think might be the best alternative is
http://www.kurandarainforestpark.com.au/. Here is the copy of their email to me, a very reasonable one night's booking fee is asked.
"We have various types of accommodation ranging from Single Budget rooms which are $30 per night or $160 per week. Double budget rooms for two to four people, which are $55 per night for two people,$67 for three people, or $79 for four people.You also receive a discount if you book for a week.With the Budget rooms, you share the kitchen and bathroom facilities.
We have cabins and poolside units which are $90 per night for two people, any extra adults that the accommodation can have are $12 each per night.You also receive one night free if you book for the week.All our cabins and units are fully self contained with air conditioning.
To secure any accommodation, we require one nights non refundable deposit per accommodation booked."
This place sounds really good and the rates are, I think, very affordable. Kuranda is in the path but slightly south of the centre line, so we won't see a perfectly even corona or as many of the northern edge Bailey's Beads. Of course, we can always drive to a spot right on the centre line but the roads do not, apparently, have pull off spots.
Would anyone who wants to definitely book please let me know ASAP, either via this thread or by PM or email. My email contact is allowed under my Profile.
Of course, you can just do your own thing if you want, but I thought it would be good to get a group together. I am trying to get an eclipse 'expert' from my solar eclipse mailing list (on yahoo) and we could have a talk on it beforehand. I will bring my DVD of 'Chasing the Shadow' to whet our appetites.
Please let me know ASAP.
edited to add: I have also found this lovely site, which is a better spot, closer to the centreline and nearer the beach, but is under new management from February next year, so I cannot make enquiries until then.
http://www.glengarrypark.com.au/