I spent another 4 weeks in Melbourne after returning from Alice, 3 of which I spent working as a fundraiser. It was face to face work so I had to attempt to stop people on the street and get them to sign up for monthly donations. Not an easy job! But I got to work with some great people and it funded my east coast trip.

Flew from a cold Melbourne up to tropical Cairns. Was so good to be able to walk around in a tshirt and shorts again! I spent my first day there just chilling out and looking around the town. Stayed in a fantastic hostel called Dreamtime, and was quite happy just lazing in a hammock by the pool for a day. Next day I headed off to Cape Tribulation. The scenery around there is thick, jungly vegetation and fields of sugar cane growing. We stopped first at Mossman Gorge. Thich rainforest with a crystal clear river running through it. Would have been a great place for a swim, if a little cold! Then we drove further north and crossed the Daintree River on the little car ferry. The road cuts right through the rainforest running close to the coast so you can still catch glimpses of the sea. We had lunch on a deserted beach that looked like tropical paradise! In the afternoon we had a walk through the rainforest and mangroves and our guide told us about the different plants and animals there. Then on the way back to Cairns we went for a crocodile spotting boat trip. Saw one called Scarface, a big dominant male about 3-4m long. I could easily have spent alot longer up there chilling out and exploring the rainforest.

Next day I went for a day trip out to the Great Barrier Reef. We went to 2 different locations over the 5 hours we had. I managed to see a reef shark turtle, and lots of fish obviously! But I wasn't sure it was actually any better than the Ningaloo Reef on the West coast, and it was definitely a hell of alot more crowded! I got the midnight coach that night down to Airlie Beach, the first of many long coach trips.

I had a day in Airlie Beach to relax and look around. It's a very small place which is really good for only 2 things: going to the Whitsundays and partying! Up early the next morning to start my 2 days, 1 night sailing the Whitsundays. I was on a Maxi yacht called the Hammer with 18 other people and 3 crew. Our first day was spent sailing to Whitehaven Beach which is THE picture perfect postcard dream beach. White sand and clear blue warm seas. From there it was a long sail to the bay we were going to anchor in for the night. After breakfast we all went snorkelling. I saw loads more there than I did on the Great Barrier Reef, though the visibility wasn't that great as we were so close to the beach. For the afternoon we visited Lawson beach, though I spent my time topping up my tan and swimming off the back of the boat. I could have stayed sailing around for a few more days quite easily!