Cairns 2 We had already booked a barrier reef trip for next day which would take us out to the outer and reputedly, more superior reef. 7am start for the boat trip that would take us to 2 reef destinations. A little 'splashy' on the way out with everyone eventually opting to stay inside with most accepting anti-sickness medication! Got to the first snorkelling spot, Michaelmas Cay which is a sandbar really and inhabited by thousands of birds! As it is a protec...

Cairns 3 For our last day in Cairns we thought that we should really do the rainforest justice as we had missed out on our scheduled trip so we took a tour to the Daintree rainforest for the day. So 'another 'early pick up (7am) but first had a lovely skype with Teresa and Jacqui - reception bad and difficult to talk but great to see them and catch up. We travelled via the rainforest in a 4WD vehicle which allowed access further into the terrain than other t...

Campervan Last and final trip 7, Cairns 1 Moved off early to Cairns so that we could visit Mission beach on the way especially as we had expected stormy weather on the way north. However We were pleasantly surprised that the weather remained fine and as we moved further up the coast the weather became hotter/more humid, the vegetation more lush and the creeks and riverbeds appeared much fuller. Even the cattle look healthier with their far more luxuriant fodder...

Campervan Trip 6 'Townsville, part 2' ….Still here! Woke up intending to move off to Mission Beach and heard that not only had Cyclone Nathan been upgraded to a category 4 (categories 1-5) but it had changed course and was now headed to hit the north just above Cairns, oops just where we were heading! We had seen what devastation cyclones could cause when we travelled through Rockhampton and surrounding areas so rang 'Bloomfields' which was to be our rainfore...

Campervan Trip 6 'Townsville' On our way to the Whitsunday Islands at the weekend we had noticed a deserted and netted cove from the ferry. Apparently the locals try to keep it quiet but it is on public land so before we left, we decided to have a dip in the ocean. We found the beach still deserted in the early morning and had a lovely swim secure in the knowledge that we were protected by the stinger nets. However when we left the beach we saw a notice re: the...