Next Stop, Cairns!

We stayed at Trinity Beach, which is about a 30 minute drive from Cairns airport. The area is very quiet and has a few restaurants. We stayed in Sea Change Beachfront Apartments, 2 bedroom with a large patio and barbecues, if we wanted to use them. The apartments were great (free parking), if we would go back we would stay there again. The beach had warnings, not to swim in case of a crocodile attack or, even worse, one of the most deadly jellyfish in the world. The beach was off limits, but we did go on the Skyrail and a train back to our car’s location.

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway was beautiful and if it is your first trip there, you should definitely visit. It took us all the way up to Kuranda, where we visited the area, and the Kuranda Koala Gardens which was a bit sad, as the koalas and the kangaroos just seemed sad and not very well taken care of. One interesting thing they did have in the zoo, was a plane that crashed there a while ago and they never cleared the wreckage. We ate in one of the café’s, the food was ok but nothing special. Then it was time to go back on the train, that was kind of an interesting journey, because you can see all of the countryside, hear the history that is broadcasted in the train, and enjoy a nice nap (that is what we mostly did on the train). The train is actually one of the original that was used when the rails were built. Overall it was an interesting day.

The Blue Moon Grill was wonderful! The staff was very nice and all three nights that we stayed in Cairns we ate our dinners there. They left very cute notes for the 2 consecutive nights on our reserved table. They also give lollipops with the check (cute free extra). The food was amazing, every dish we took we loved! We even tried the crocodile and it was great (“like chewy, fishy chicken,” but in the best way possible). They also had kangaroo, but I object to something so (personally) immoral. First you can go and play with the kangaroos and hand feed them, and then eat them, no thank you. They also have great drinks, and desserts! The pictures speak for themselves.

Our next full day began with an early morning rise for scuba/snorkeling in The Great Barrier Reef. This was my first time scuba diving and it won’t be my last. We really enjoyed seeing the fish, and our instructors were very nice, patient, and caring. We saw a huge pearl clam close up. After our dive they had food on board that was good, we ate on the second deck on the outside. Next two stops we were snorkeling, and that was great! We got to see everything right under the surface, many, many fish, and different colors of corals. On our way back it was about to rain. Coming to the front deck of the boat and feeling nature through your very bones, from the speed, the clouds, and the winds, it felt exhilarating and more real than reality (inexplicably profound).

 

Our next day, we relaxed by the pool in our hotel and then went to the Cairns Tropical Zoo, which was fantastic and had interactive talks about the animals at the zoo. Even though I held a koala twice before, I got to just hold his hand and it was a wonderful experience that I think made me even happier than just holding a koala. They had great talks about the marsupials, snakes, even a crocodile show. Once you buy a ticket it lets you come back for three days on the same ticket. They even had crocodile feeding, and other interactive activities at the zoo (every day they have a small limited number, we did not get to do it because we discovered the place on our last day at Cairns). Unfortunately, this zoo was closing because they do not have enough guests coming in. It was very sad to learn.

Next we drove to drop off our car (you need a car in Cairns, everything is driving distance) and fly to our next stop on our Australia tour!

The Land Down Under! Australia Part 1: Brisbane

The Land Down Under! Australia Part 2: Gold Coast

The Land Down Under! Australia Part 4: Melbourne

The Land Down Under! Australia part 5: Sydney

Part 6: LA

Reef Photos

At the Zoo