So after 30 hours!! In Singapore airport (and most of that was Pre- check in!) we got an overnight flight to Darwin and then a flight to Cairns. The baggage carousel went horribly wrong and em had to wait an age for her bag. We then had a proper "nothing to declare" moment and got sniffer dog treatment. We then got a shuttle to our hotel, but couldn't check in for a good few hours! We went for a wonder but being Sunday it was really quiet and most stuff was closed. Honestly, we felt a bit disappointed with Cairns, I think we expected it to be a bit bigger and busier. The hostel was quite nice and after finally checking in we went for a wonder and did a food shop. We went back and had some dinner. We were both completely knackered and had an early night and slept quite late the next day. We then went to the cinema to see Bel Ami which was pretty good. We went to find out about great barrier reef trips for when Emma arrives then went back to grab some dinner- a very yummy beef lasagne! We found a nice bar, not far from the hostel for our first Ozzie beer and then headed back to the hostel. The next day was an early start, we got a taxi to the airport to meet Emma- very excited!! :) was so lovely to see her after so long!! We went back to drop her bags off and then showed her around Cairns. We went to the lagoon for a bit and then saw a bit of a marching band performance which was nice! We then booked our great barrier reef snorkelling trip for the next day and went back for dinner. We had dinner with Lydia, who Emma met in her room and then we all went for drinks after. Another early start the next day to get the boat. The journey out to the reef was alot rougher than we expected, thank god for sea sickness tablets!! After about and hour and a half we got to the reef. The weather wasn't great and it was a bit rough when we were snorkelling but we had a guide who went round pointing everything out which was cool. We saw clams, sharks, parrot fish, held sea cucumbers and saw loads of other amazing fish. We had a nice lunch on the boat and then went for another snorkel- after about an hour or so we were about to get back on the boat, when I suddenly saw a turtle!! We were so happy!! We got back on the boat and headed back to cairns, where it was raining :( we decided to go to a travel agent before dinner to see about booking our whitsundays trip, only when we asked for a leaflet, the guy ended up creating a whole package for the rest of our trip and then pressured us about getting it, but we decided it was better to book stuff as we go. He wasn't too happy and neither were we as because he'd made us stay there so long, we had missed the free dinner! >:( so cornflakes it was. The next day we got our first oz experience bus! There was only one other person on the bus, who was lovely. our driver was called Bud and he was so funny! We stopped at 3 waterfalls on the way, but the weather was crap- it just wouldn't stop raining!! We were going to stop for wine tasting but we all fell asleep :( we got to mission beach and found a nice hostel to stay at. We went to grab some food and went to another travel agent where we ended up booking our whitsundays and Fraser island tours. We headed back to the hostel and chilled out before making some dinner. That night we ended up playing a hilarious game of pictionary and won a bottle of wine (decent wine, not goon!! ) but it was between six of us so it was more like a sip each, but we were just happy it wasn't goon!! The next day we got the bus and ferry to magnetic island. We went for a walk and ended up feeding rock wallabies which was cool! Then we had dinner at the hostel- they did a deal which included a dinner so we had a yummy burger and chips AND SALAD!! :) then Emma volunteered us for another game, but we ended up winning some more wine, so we were happy! The next day we did the forts walk, which was really nice, we even saw two koalas!!! We had some lunch and walked to the koala sanctuary, where we held a crocodile, cockatoo, lizard, bearded dragon, snake and koala!! It was a very good afternoon! :) we went back made some dinner and played cards. The next day we got the ferry back to townsville and the bus to airlie beach. Marissa, James and Manwella were on our bus and we all went for dinner at the down under bar when we got there which was nice! The next day we had our Whitsundays trip. We went on Tongarra. We left in the afternoon and sailed to Whithaven beach. We all sunbathed on the deck on the way and then had dinner and drinks and a bit of a chilled evening. We also got to sleep on the deck which was really nice! The next day we were so lucky with the weather, it was amazing! We got up early and had breakfast and then had 3 hours on Whitehaven beach. The beach is amazing! So pretty! The sand is 99% silica, it squeaks when you walk on it, can exfoliate your skin and clean jewellery! Then Binky came over and we took some cool group photos. We got back on the boat, had lunch and sale to our first snorkelling spot- we saw dolphins on the way!! Snorkelling was different to the great barrier reef, but really good. Glen threw fish food by where we were snorkelling so you literally had LOADS of fish in your face, which was really cool! After snorkelling we got back on the boat and sailed to the second snorkelling spot for tomorrow. We had dinner, and then glen, dressed hilariously, did the evening entertainment which was hilarious. It got a bit rockier though, ad goon and seasickness just don't mix so we went to bed, luckily the weather was amazing again the next morning so sailing was all smooth! We got up early, had tea and biscuits and then went snorkelling. It was FREEZING!! But we did see a turtle, so the cold an early was worth it! We then had lunch and sunbathed as we headed back to Airlie. We also had a go at driving the boat on the way back. Back in Airlie we spent the afternoon by the lagoon and then went to a bar, where you get half a pizza when you buy a drink, so that was pretty good :)