After spending the week working in Sydney, David flew to Brisbane where we met up and then flew to Cairns for the weekend. Like Brisbane, Cairns is in the state of Queensland, but it is situated in the tropical north. Tropical North Queensland is home to two World Heritage-listed sites - the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Cairns is a cosmopolitan city that sits on the shores of a natural harbour, and it is one of the gateways to this vibrant region.
The Great Barrier Reef
The main reason for our trip to Cairns was to visit The Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland. Cairns offers one of the closest and easiest access points to this World Heritage-listed marine park.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system in the world with over 2900 individual reefs and 900 islands. It covers an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres and stretches over 2600 kilometres long. The reef itself is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms called coral polyps. The Great Barrier Reef is truly one of the natural wonders of the world, where it is estimated that 6600 species of flora and fauna exist, including 1500 species of fish, 4000 species of molluscs and 400 types of coral.
One of the best ways to experience the reef (or part of it anyway as it is huge) is to go snorkeling or diving. We took a day tour to the reef on a 20 metre cruiser, where we got to snorkel around the "Wonder Wall" on the outer edge of Upolu Reef, and around Upolu Cay.
Upolu Cay is situated 30 kilometres north-east of Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef, while the "Wonder Wall" is a little further out. Upolu Cay is a naturally formed coral cay and it is only visible when the tide is low. When we arrived at the cay in the morning, the tide was high and the cay was not visible. With the cay still under water, we headed for the "Wonder Wall" where we were given the option to snorkel or dive. David opted to snorkel and it was in this area that he not only saw some amazing coral and fish, but also porpoises, green sea turtles and even a shark (he managed to take some photos underwater). After spending about two hours at the "Wonder Wall", we had a delicious lunch on board while the boat took us to Upolu Cay. Before reaching the cay, we boarded a glass bottom boat where we got to see more coral and were given information on what we were looking at. By this time, the cay became visible and it was amazing to see this small sandy island appear out of nowhere in the middle of the ocean. The glass bottom boat took us out to the cay and we were the first to put our footprints on the sand for the day. The azure crystal clear water surrounding the cay was shallow and ideal for swimming. Some people stayed on the sandy cay and relaxed, while others snorkeled back to the boat. After spending over 6 hours on the reef, we headed back to Cairns, extremely happy and satisfied that we had seen and experienced part of the beautiful Great Barrier Reef.
The main reason for our trip to Cairns was to visit The Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland. Cairns offers one of the closest and easiest access points to this World Heritage-listed marine park.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system in the world with over 2900 individual reefs and 900 islands. It covers an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres and stretches over 2600 kilometres long. The reef itself is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms called coral polyps. The Great Barrier Reef is truly one of the natural wonders of the world, where it is estimated that 6600 species of flora and fauna exist, including 1500 species of fish, 4000 species of molluscs and 400 types of coral.
One of the best ways to experience the reef (or part of it anyway as it is huge) is to go snorkeling or diving. We took a day tour to the reef on a 20 metre cruiser, where we got to snorkel around the "Wonder Wall" on the outer edge of Upolu Reef, and around Upolu Cay.
Upolu Cay is situated 30 kilometres north-east of Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef, while the "Wonder Wall" is a little further out. Upolu Cay is a naturally formed coral cay and it is only visible when the tide is low. When we arrived at the cay in the morning, the tide was high and the cay was not visible. With the cay still under water, we headed for the "Wonder Wall" where we were given the option to snorkel or dive. David opted to snorkel and it was in this area that he not only saw some amazing coral and fish, but also porpoises, green sea turtles and even a shark (he managed to take some photos underwater). After spending about two hours at the "Wonder Wall", we had a delicious lunch on board while the boat took us to Upolu Cay. Before reaching the cay, we boarded a glass bottom boat where we got to see more coral and were given information on what we were looking at. By this time, the cay became visible and it was amazing to see this small sandy island appear out of nowhere in the middle of the ocean. The glass bottom boat took us out to the cay and we were the first to put our footprints on the sand for the day. The azure crystal clear water surrounding the cay was shallow and ideal for swimming. Some people stayed on the sandy cay and relaxed, while others snorkeled back to the boat. After spending over 6 hours on the reef, we headed back to Cairns, extremely happy and satisfied that we had seen and experienced part of the beautiful Great Barrier Reef.
Glass bottom boat
Upolu Cay
Photos taken underwater
Port Douglas
On our second day in Cairns, we decided to rent a car and drive to Port Douglas. Port Douglas is situated 73 kms north of Cairns and the two cities are linked by the Captain Cook Highway, one of Australia's most scenic coastal drives. The journey from Cairns offers breathtaking views of the Great Dividing Range and the Coral Sea coast. We had a great day driving up the coast and stopping along the way to view some of the beautiful scenery.
Port Douglas is a quaint resort town that has a village charm to it. While in Port Douglas we visited the Port Douglas Sunday market, which turned out to be one of the nicest markets we have ever been to. The atmosphere was great and the wide variety of quality and unique items was impressive.
On our second day in Cairns, we decided to rent a car and drive to Port Douglas. Port Douglas is situated 73 kms north of Cairns and the two cities are linked by the Captain Cook Highway, one of Australia's most scenic coastal drives. The journey from Cairns offers breathtaking views of the Great Dividing Range and the Coral Sea coast. We had a great day driving up the coast and stopping along the way to view some of the beautiful scenery.
Port Douglas is a quaint resort town that has a village charm to it. While in Port Douglas we visited the Port Douglas Sunday market, which turned out to be one of the nicest markets we have ever been to. The atmosphere was great and the wide variety of quality and unique items was impressive.
Four Mile Beach
Situated on the edge of Port Douglas, this spectacular beach is well known for its long stretch of coastline.
Situated on the edge of Port Douglas, this spectacular beach is well known for its long stretch of coastline.
Mossman Gorge
Situated about 23 kilometres north of Port Douglas, this is as far north as we went along the coastline. Mossman gorge is a spectacular gorge with pristine waters. On the day we visited the gorge, there were many people swimming and enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
Situated about 23 kilometres north of Port Douglas, this is as far north as we went along the coastline. Mossman gorge is a spectacular gorge with pristine waters. On the day we visited the gorge, there were many people swimming and enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
Sugarcane
Along the way from Cairns to Port Douglas we came across many sugarcane fields. The history of sugarcane in this region can be traced back to the 19th century, when early settlers required agricultural crops for their personal nourishment, to sustain livestock and more importantly as a primary source of income. Over the past century, the sugar industry has played a historic role in the economic livelihood for several Far North Queensland centres. Today, sugarcane continues to be the major agricultural crop for the Far North Queensland region.
Along the way from Cairns to Port Douglas we came across many sugarcane fields. The history of sugarcane in this region can be traced back to the 19th century, when early settlers required agricultural crops for their personal nourishment, to sustain livestock and more importantly as a primary source of income. Over the past century, the sugar industry has played a historic role in the economic livelihood for several Far North Queensland centres. Today, sugarcane continues to be the major agricultural crop for the Far North Queensland region.
Palm Cove Beach
On our way back to Cairns, we made a stop at Palm Cove. Palm Cove has grown into a sought-after resort destination and it is no surprise, as Palm Cove beach is one of Cairn's most beautiful beaches.
On our way back to Cairns, we made a stop at Palm Cove. Palm Cove has grown into a sought-after resort destination and it is no surprise, as Palm Cove beach is one of Cairn's most beautiful beaches.
Rex Lookout
Rex lookout offered spectacular views of the coastline, and it was also the spot where we found people taking flight on their handgliders and paragliders.
Rex lookout offered spectacular views of the coastline, and it was also the spot where we found people taking flight on their handgliders and paragliders.
Barron Gorge
Our last stop of the day before returning to Cairns, was at the town of Kuranda in the Barron Gorge National Park. The Barron Gorge National Park boasts rugged mountain ranges, steep ravines and gorges, spectacular waterfalls and rich rainforests. These rainforests are the oldest continually surviving tropical rainforests on earth and are home to an amazing diversity of flora and fauna.
One of the most prized landmarks in this national park, is the Barron river and its spectacular gorge, home to the mighty Barron Falls. Barron Falls is a 260 metre granite-faced waterfall that attracts many visitors each year. Unfortunately we visited during the dry season when the falls were not in flood, but the gorge and falls were still impressive.
Our last stop of the day before returning to Cairns, was at the town of Kuranda in the Barron Gorge National Park. The Barron Gorge National Park boasts rugged mountain ranges, steep ravines and gorges, spectacular waterfalls and rich rainforests. These rainforests are the oldest continually surviving tropical rainforests on earth and are home to an amazing diversity of flora and fauna.
One of the most prized landmarks in this national park, is the Barron river and its spectacular gorge, home to the mighty Barron Falls. Barron Falls is a 260 metre granite-faced waterfall that attracts many visitors each year. Unfortunately we visited during the dry season when the falls were not in flood, but the gorge and falls were still impressive.
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