Another early start to get the bus up to Cape Tribulation, but well worth the effort. Our driver doubled as tour guide all along the way, with tales ranging from the history of sugar production and mangoes in Queensland to what to do if you see a wild pig (summary: get the heck out of there). We stopped at Mossman Gorge, which is a little too cold to swim in, really, even though everyone does. Add in a walk through the rainforest and it was a pretty full day before we'd even got to the Cape!

Plenty of nature walks to take, including at night, with a gorgeous beach for a spot of r'n'r before getting back to Cairns the next day.

I'm now in Mission Beach and have just got back from rafting all day on the Tully river, which was a real adrenaline rush. The trip down here yesterday was good too, stopping at a reserve (that doubles as a crocodile farm to provide leather to Gucci, Versace and their ilk). Wathcing the croc feeding is a very good way of learning why the early colonialists went about killing them whenever they could. Unsurprisingly, they are kept separate from the kangaroos, cassowaries and even the dingoes.

The local drinking establishment hosts a weekly pool tournament, and muggins here was roped into competing. Naturally, in the spirit of friendship between our Commonwealth nations I allowed my Aussie opponent an eventual victory.

Kangaroo steak tonight...