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Day 10

After three days of amazing diving out on the Great Barrier Reef, the next two days were jam-packed with guided tours to see the surrounding areas of Queensland around Cairns.

Our tour to the Daintree Rainforest (which claims to be the oldest rainforest in the world!) and Cape Tribulation was with Tropics Explorer and began bright and early with a 7:20 AM pickup. At our first stop, we encountered a very large crocodile relaxing on the banks of the Daintree River while on a short river cruise.

Sleeping crocodile along the Daintree River


Mangroves along the Daintree

We continued along to the Marrdja Boardwalk where we had a chance to walk around and see the rainforest up close and personal.

If you lick the rear of this green ant, supposedly, you get Vitamin C?


Plants in the rainforest have developed defenses such as these spikes on their leaves!

Next, we moved along to Cape Tribulation, where Captain Cook and his crew encountered many troubles as they explored this part of the world.

Cape Tribulation beach… where the rainforest meets the reef!


Afterwards, we continued back along the very scenic coastal drive to the Mossman Gorge where we stopped and dipped our feet in the clear waters.

Flowing river


Above the waters on a suspended bridge


Sitting on a rock =)

And that pretty much sums up another jam-packed day in Australia! =)

Day 11

Our tour to the Atherton Tablelands was with a company called On The Wallaby and was made quite fun and interesting by our energetic tour guide. =) Again, we woke up bright and early for a 7:45 AM pickup to explore another part of Queensland, Australia.

Spectacular view of the Tablelands

Our first stop was the “Cathedral Fig Tree” which is around 500 years old, is about 48 meters high, has a girth of about 44 meters, and has a crown that extends over 2,000 square meters!

The Cathedral Fig Tree


Standing inside the base


Looking up from the base


As we drove around the Atherton Tablelands, we also visited several volcanic lakes. Along the way, we often saw interesting road signs!

Watch out for Australian animals!

Apparently, we also visited (and swam in!) one of the most photographed falls in the world.

Millaa Millaa Falls

Days 10 and 11 were definitely too much after 3 days of diving and we are now thoroughly exhausted and needing serious rest. Unfortunately, Day 12 will begin at 3:45 AM so that we can get to the airport to catch our 5:45 AM flight to Sydney… To Be Continued.