Oceania » Australia » Queensland
Oceania » Australia » Queensland
Cairns & Northern Queensland - Thursday, June 1, 2000
Flying into Cairns can give you a great view of the barrier reef, so be sure to try and get a window seat.Stepping off the plane from Sydney, it felt like I'd come to somewhere really tropical - it was really hot and humid and even the walkways to the gate were outdoors.
I was initially only there for a night - staying at the Calypso Hostel. It was a little out of the centre of Cairns but an easy walk in - plus it a swimming pool and a free Barbeque that night! Can't beat free meals whne you're traveling on a budget!
I wandered into Cairns for a look around - its not that big a town buts its a great gateway yo so many things with lots of other people travelling through.
I got up early the next day for a trip up to the rainforest and Cape Tribulation. Our guide kindly poited out the most northerly McDonalds in Australia. On the way up we had a boat trip on the Daintree river - lots of crocodiles.
I got to stay at a great Hostel for the night at Crocodylus Village. Instead of normal dorm rooms you sleep in big semi-permanent tents so you can hear the noises of the jungle outside. I got to wake up seeing the sun shining in showing all the jungle foliage outside. One thing to beware of - there are some rodents there, I can't remember the name, that will apparentl eat through pretty much anything to get at food, so make sure that you don't have any snacks hidden away in your backpack!
I also got to go on a jungle walk with a guide. I'd definitely recommend it - you get to find out so much more that just looking round yourself. Also the beach there is pretty amazing - you can go on a short trek through the rainforest to get there. the rainforest just goes down to the edge of the beach and the ocean and barrier reef beyond. The weather wan't great when I was there but ti was still nice spending time down on the beach - plus hardly anyone else was there.
Unfortunately, I only had the opportunity to stay for one night and then it was back to Cairns - so many places are like that, making me wish I was in Australia for 6 months instead of just 3 weeks.
- Created:
- Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 9:26 PM
- Last Modified:
- Friday, October 22, 2004 at 1:25 PM