Cape Tribulation is located in the heart of the Daintree National Park World Heritage Area which contains the oldest continually surviving tropical rainforests in the world. Estimated to be over 100 million years old, the Wet Tropics area is home to around 50% of Australia's plant and animal species with many species found nowhere else in the world.

We started our first of four day tours with Adventure Tour Company at 7am with a drive along one of the renowned scenic coastal roads in Australia, the World Heritage Listed Captain Cook Highway. Our first stop on the tour was Port Douglas whilst the other passengers had an hour at the wildlife park we enjoyed some free time in Port Douglas to soak up the village atmosphere and grab our lunch for the day ahead.

After we had collected the others from the wildlife centre we headed to Mossman Gorge National Park. Daniel our tour guide led us through the rainforest to see the crystal clear waters of the Mossman River cascade over spectacular boulder formations.

From Mossman Gorge we headed to Cape Tribulation Beach house for lunch. At this point the heavens opened but we had time to relax in the sheltered rainforest of the Daintree where the "Rainforest meets the Reef".

The skies started to clear which meant we were able to stop at Alexandra Lookout in the Daintree national park where we had a view back over the Daintree Rainforest and the mouth of the Daintree River, and out across the Coral Sea and on a clear day you are able to see the inner reefs of the Great Barrier Reef.

The last stop on the tour was the Daintree River Wildlife Cruise - Our journey continued to the majestic Daintree River for an hour Wildlife and Crocodile exploration. This is a rare location to see wildlife at play in their native habitat. We were lucky enough to see a 3.5m crocodile basking in the sun on the river bank. Compared to South America where you spot dozens of Caiman in the waters of the Amazon, I feel I was extremely lucky to spot a crocodile in the wild here in Australia, especially at this time of year.

We made it back to Cairns for 6pm, which meant we didn't miss the Australian reptile night! This night we missed in three of the other hostels along the coast due to our arrival days and tours. I was able to hold a young crocodile, snake, bearded dragon and a blue tongued lizard! At first, the thought of holding a snake scared me but in the end I don't want to give it back!!

Continuing on the Australian theme, it was Aussie BBQ night and we got to try kangaroo steak and a crocodile sausage for only $3. Only in Australia!