A day after the end of the diving course Lyn and Alex went on a 3 day trip to the Daintree Rainforest at Cape Tribulation, so named by Captain Cook when he ran his ship onto the coral reef.
The first hostel was situated where the rainforest meets the sea. The beach was fantastic with lots of coconut palms alongside.
The next morning was spent canoeing along the bay where Lyn was surprised by a turtle coming up for air! Afterwards a visit was made to 'The Bathouse', a mini animal centre where there was a very tame flying fox called Alexis who took a fancy to Alex.
A bus was then caught to the next hostel - Crocodylus. This according to Lyn was probably the best YHA hostel in the world! Situated in the centre of the rainforest the cabin consisted of a tarpaulin roofed structure with mosquito net walls and stepping 2 feet away from the front step put you in the rainforest.
The animals and plants of the rainforest were amazing and of the animals 80% are insects, some of them whoppers!! During the night it rained, and rained, and rained. It was still pouring next morning so a visit was made to a local environment centre.
Being the only people on the bus returning to Cairns a personal guided tour was enjoyed. This was followed by a Crocodile Cruise when 3 small ones were seen sunning themselves on the bank.
That evening the rainforest excursion was rounded off with dinner at 'Tim's Surf and Turf', where a huge seafood platter for two was enjoyed.
The next morning a 4x4 camper truck, which needed relocating to Brisbane and had been hired on a good deal, was collected and a start was made heading south.
Leaving the outskirts of Cairns and as the day and road rolled on the immense size of the country became increasingly apparent. That evening a remote campsite, but with facilities was found, and shared with another couple who were heading north to Cairns to get married.
After an early start next morning, good progress was made, taking in the scenery and wildlife on the way, reaching Airlie Beach a small resort popular with backpackers, by the evening.
Next morning there was time to go sailing in a catamaran before heading off south again. One stretch of road went for 300km without any villages! That night was spent at St. Lawrence a remote village but again with excellent facilities.
Two more days were spent travelling south through changing scenery before arriving in Brisbane. The 4x4 truck was cleaned out and returned and a new hostel found in Brisbane to be a base for the next few days.
Plans have been made to explore Brisbane, but that will be another story.....
More of this in the next report on Lyn and Alexs' Adventures in Oz.
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