Travel Diaries Vol 7 - Cairns City, Gateway to Australia's The Great Barrier Reef (2)

Travel Diaries Vol 7 - Cairns City, Gateway to Australia's The Great Barrier Reef (2)

From Cairns, the islands, rainforest and reef of tropical North Queensland are on your doorstep. Leap from Cairns into the World Heritage wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. 

It was a resting day for us as we strolled along the Cairns Esplanade after breathtaking adventure of snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef. Immersions in one of the world's richest underwater settings in The Great Barrier Reef can take you just out of your comfort zone. Read more about my previous post here. 
After embarking one of the world's great expedition into the world of marine species and pristine coral reefs, we were at peace. On our resting days, we explored Cairns Esplanade, hopped in all the clubs which were buzzing due to halloween bash, ate some sumptuous food, spent the night playing roulette in casino, partied and spent romantic evenings by the ocean and took long strolls on the reef terminal. 

The Daintree Forest:

We did a day trip and got close to the Daintree's diversity of life. We followed the Great Tropical Drive to white water rivers and the Atherton Tablelands.

We were picked up from our Hilton hotel in Cairns Esplanade. After a long straight drive, our first stop was at Port Douglas where interesting fair market was going on. The market has it all from souvenirs, local produce and arts and crafts. I didn’t buy souvenirs as it started pouring and we had to rush back to the car as we were already drenched. 

Post that we went cruising the mangrove-lined Daintree River past crocodiles and saw turtles in clear, sparkling streams. The guide gave us insight about about the indigenous flora and fauna and the rainforest history and its inhabitants. There were reptiles and various birds on the shore under the dense canopy of the forest. And we headed north to cape tribulation. Beyond the trees, the Daintree also offers pristine beaches with shallow, warm, tropical seas. They were all clustered in the north near Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. It's the only place in the world where two World Heritage sites meet. We were warned not to swim in the beach because of deadly jelly fish. Post that we saw an insect museum and had Aussie barbecue  lunch in the woods by the river. One of the most exciting experiences!

On the way back there was also an option to board the cable ferry but we went in the mini van. 

Fun Facts:

- As well as the world's oldest tropical rainforest, the Daintree is home to the earth's largest range of animals and plants. 

- This vast chunk of rainforest is also home to around 430 species of birds, including 13 found nowhere else in the world. 

- Over 50% of our endemic species known to this continent actually live here in the Daintree Cape Tribulation Rainforest.

Travelling Tips: 

- Whenever planning a trip to Australia don't just do the commercial cities and make sure Cairns and Hamilton Island is there in your itinerary. We could not do both but preferred Cairns over Hamilton as we could do water sports and other fun activities. 

- Dive or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and spot the luminescent Ulysses butterfly in the rainforest village of Kuranda. Trek the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, four wheel drive to Cape Tribulation or raft the raging rapids of Tully River. You could totally skip the Kuranda village trip. 
- You could also relax in the resorts of Port Douglas and Mission Beach or on Lizard Island. Head north to Cape Tribulation or take the Savannah Way for an outback journey. But we preferred to stay in Cairns Esplanade which is buzzing and centrally located. It is best to book tours to all the places. I could not find many online deals and was confused. Booking can be done 1-2 days before from the travel agent in Esplanade. The travel agent suggested us what to do and it was worth it.

 Halloween Celebrations

 Into the woods - Daintree Forest

 Our barbecue Aussie Style lunch in the woods. 

Cape Tribulation and the beaches 

River Cruise

Everyday breakfast Story at the Hilton Hotel 

Halloween Fun. Loved how everyone was all decked up in their Halloween costume in clubs at Cairns Esplanade.

Read more about my first leg of honeymoon here:Singapore Escapades 
Read second leg of the honeymoon here:Cairns City - The Great Barrier Reef (1)

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