Epicentre of the Queensland tropics

Carins

There’s so much more to see further north (mostly rainforest) but if I go up that way further I want to do it properly and try to reach Cape York, which is the northern most point of mainland Australia and lays another 1000km further north from Cairns.

Anyway, after a weeks worth of chasing waterfalls and hiking rainforests I reached Cairns and thus civilisation again. I had a day to explore the city before I was off onto the reef for my full day snorkel tour. So I wandered about, had pancakes, went window shopping, got a smoothie, checked out the esplanade and the lagoon. Thanks to the wonderful box jellyfish, swimming in coastal waters along the northern east coast is highly discouraged if you do not wish to die very painfully lol. (Yes there’s a whole lotta shit that wants to kill you in aus) If you’re looking for a way to escape the sweltering humidity and heat the lagoon is you best bet. I quite liked Cairns in general actually. It’s very touristy, don’t get me wrong, it’s very clear that the entire city is built on the foundation of being “the gateway to the great barrier reef” but somehow I felt like it managed to keep a bit of a big town vibe going on. 

By late afternoon I found a cheap hostel with free parking, brekkie and a morning shuttle to the marina for my day trip. I got my stuff organised for tomorrow, had a welcoming hot shower and a change of clothes before I headed back out for dinner. Someone had told be there’s a night market going on just about every night on Abbott street, so obviously that’s where I headed for. Again very touristy but quite a fun place for a wander around. Almost reminded me of the night markets in Phuket, minus the funny smells and all the dirtiness haha of course. 

Here I bought a waterproof pouch for my phone and I must say, absolutely best firkin’ thing EVER. So pretty stoked for the following day I headed back home for an early rise. 

Beating heart of the east coast:

The great barrier reef

I did my day tour with Ocean freedom and had an absolute blast. (Also, notice the ‘advanced eco certificate’ these guys have? This is soooo important guys, climate change has been causing massive coral bleaching since 1998!)

It’s a big ass boat with quite some people on but the staff take very good care of you all day long. By 8am we were off speeding out of the harbour, barely an hour and a half later we were all in the water on the Upolo cay reef. Eventhough it wasn’t stinger season we still all got a stinger suit along with fins, a mask and of course, a snorkel. With the choice between drift tour or self exploring I opted to do a bit of both. Tapping in with the guides every now and then to hear about all the cool corals and fishies we were looking at I drifted off to find Nemo among many other cool kids of the underwater world.

Lunch was a buffet of beautiful Queensland prawns, taste salmon, mutiple salads, meat platter and breads. The perfect break before heading to the next destination which was the outer Upolo reef. This reef was much swallower and close to a sandbank which meant we were able to get closer views of the corals but that we also had to be more careful not to touch anything. 

So throughout the day I’m pretty sure I saw Nemo’s entire family as well as the whole crew including Dory,  bubbles, peach, Gill, about 4 sea turtles, some sharks, a couple little rays and millions of other beautiful fishies.

The Whitsundays

Airlie Beach lagoon

The very very last stop of my awesome tropics adventures was Airlie Beach, the jump off point for the Whitsundays.

Sunsets to remember 

Happy kiddo on a morning dip in the ocean

I’m sure I wouldn’t be lieing if I told you there’s over a hundred (if not couple hundred) tours to chose from, from loads of companies. I went with Wings on a 2 night 2day tour and again, had an absolute blast.

Day one 1pm departure from the marina

We started our adventure with clouds, winds and some rain. Not the best weather in other words. ANYWAY,  we headed strait to our first snorkel site which was near Hook island. With the weather not being optimal, visibility wasn’t very good but obviously still had an awesome snorkel on the edge of the islands reef. After an hour or so we all got back to the boat for some sunset snacks, beers and chats before heading off again to our nightly anchorage point on Whitehaven south. 

George the Wrasse

South Whitehaven beach

Six thirty rise was well worth it to watch the sunrise and go for an early morning swim across to the beach before heading off around Whitsunday Island toward the ever so famous Whitehaven beach.

A short bush (flipflop) hike later we were exploring Whitehaven beach and later Hill inlet which we reached at the perfect tide when you see the widely pictured swirling river.

We spent the afternoon snorkelling again forever in awe of the beauty of the Great barrier reef and the oceans by extent.

Hill Inlet

Beach'n

And just like that my east coast trip had come to an end. A full month of wonderfull wandering over +2 000 km of coast and hinter-land.

How great full I am to be able to live this kind of life. So ready for the next chapter which was to be completely and utterly devoted to horses. Well, after an excruciating drive 17+ hour drive straight from Airlie Beach to Scone. My new hometown.

xoxo Liz