Read About My Holiday in Cairns

Monday

Because it was the first day of our holiday in Cairns we decided to get the blood rushing by going white water rafting on the Tully River. It’s a long day tour, they picked us up from our hotel at 7.00am and we didn’t return until about 6.30pm. They split you into 6 man rafts for the day. Unexpectedly, for Cairns the water is a little cold, but you soon forget about that as you come to the first rapid. What an adrenaline ride. The river tries to eat you up and spit you out. Don’t worry though, the instructors are all wholly trained and certified.

Tuesday

Today we thought we might have a bit of a relaxing day. So everyone went and did their own things.

Wednesday

Today we finally went to the barrier reef. We went out with Great Adventures. They have a platform permanently anchored at the great barrier reef. The snorkelling was incredible with literally 100′s of fish of all colours all around you. The coral was amazing and was so close you could even touch it.

That night we hit the Reef Casino, a good time was had by all, however no-one won anything.

Thursday

On Thursday we visited Kuranda on our package. It is a quaint little village in the rainforest above Cairns. You can drive there, but we went on the Skyrail. It took about an hour and a half with 2 stations on the route. Kuranda’s a nice town but a little too touristy for my liking. Every second shop is selling boomerangs and the ones next door are selling Ice creams. A must do is the Kuranda markets, with more boomerangs for sale as well as lots of local homemade knick knacks, as well as more boomerangs. We came home by the Kuranda Train with more incredible views.

Friday

Today was another easy day of sorts. We took the chance to spend the day at the esplanade lagoon. For a destination with crocodiles and poisonous jellyfish, this place is a perfect creation.

That night we visited the Cairns Night Zoo for an Aussie Animals show. It was entertaining, however it is aimed at visitors from other countries more than Aussies The food was acceptable.

Saturday

Saturday we cruised to the Great Barrier Reef again. Today we went with Ocean Quest on a diving tour. However we only tried snorkelling, as none of us are certified scuba divers. The reef was even more impressive than on Wednesday. The absence or crowds makes it a much different day out than on the pontoon tours.

Sunday

For our last day we went to Cape Tribulation . The Daintree is the worlds oldest rainforest, and it’s pretty amazing. They say it’s “where the rainforest meets the reef” and thats what happens. The rainforest runs right down to the white sandy shoreline.

Some Info About The Barrier Reef

The Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world running from the northern point of the country to just north of Brisbane. It’s coral reefs stretch over 2000km along the countries coast.

The reef is home to well over 900 fish varieties, dolphins, turtles. An impressive amount of seabirds make their home in the area.

The coral which creates the reef itself is also a living creature, made up of 1000′s of tiny creatures. When it dies it turns white, and forms the basis for more coral growth. Different varieties of coral grow at different speeds, while some are quite fast to grow, some species take well over a hundred years to fully grow. The colours are not formed by the coral but by the growth of algae on it.

The reef lives in a tropical climate as it relies on warm nutrient rich water to survive. Salty water and lots of light is required to maintain the health of the coral.

With 100′s of 1000′s of square miles of reef it is a watersports mecca. Access through boat cruises are available from the towns all along the coast. Even if you don’t go in the ocean you can see the marvels of the reef through reef viewing tours.

The reef is world heritage listed and extensive areas are restricted from fishing and removing coral from the reef is prohibited to preserve it for generations to come.

The colourful and exciting capital of the far north, Cairns is alive with exciting activities. Located in the centre of some of the most scenically beautiful and ecologically important areas in the world, Cairns is the natural gateway to the natural riches of rainforest, tablelands, outback, and The Great Barrier Reef. The CBD itself has many attractions – great bargains, theatres, cinemas, museums, botanical gardens, a casino, and fine contemporary cuisine. Cairns is definately positioned as one of the countries top tourist destinations, being the centre for all the best water based activities. Cairns reef tours are definately the most popular for most tourists, however Cairns is fast becoming famous as the adventure sport capital of Queensland.

Some Cairns Great Barrier Reef Boats

The Great Barrier Reef, best visited from Cairns Australia is the planets largest coral reef and home to an incredible diversity of marine life. There are a large number of trip vessels that leave from Cairns, depending on what you want to do.

Sunlover Reef Cruises offers the shortest travel time, longest play time at the Great Barrier Reef. Once tied up at their pontoon on Moore Reef, guests have over 4.5 hours to snorkel, take glass-bottom boat and/or semi-sub tours, enjoy a full hot and cold buffet lunch as well as afternoon tea on the journey back to Cairns. Full day trip$185/adult, $64/child or $425/family of 4.

Reef Experience is Cairns newest day trip, one all inclusive price of $164.00 includes breakfast, lunch afternoon tea, express catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef, 2 pristine reef locations, 6 hours at the Great Barrier Reef, clients choice of guided snorkel, certified dive or introductory dive, city transfers, wetsuit, glass bottom boat, Marine Biologist Reef Presentation, Local Family Owned and Operated

Vagabond Dive ‘N Sail is a 65′ sailing yacht designed for diving, sailing and entertaining for a maximum of 11 guests sailing out of Cairns. The cruise is two days and one night which is spent aboard the boat out on the reef.

Reef Magic moors at a ponotoon on the Great reef with the smallest passenger numbers on the market, giving you 5 hours in which to spend doing whatever you want. Included in the cruise is semi-submersible tours, an underwater observatory, all snorkelling equipment included and offer scenic helipcopter flights and diving (not included in price).
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – $168, Child (4-14yrs) – $89, Family (2A & 2C) – $415. Introductory dive: $89 (additional).

Great Adventures offers a range of advanced ecotourism certified cruises cruising daily from Cairns to Green Island and the Great Barrier reef. Guests stopping at Green Island can spend up to 7 hours on the island and choose from 3 departures daily. You can also combine a 2 hour stopover on Green Island with a half day at Great Adventures’ spacious pontoon at the Outer reef. The Great Barrierreef trip include snorkelling, semi-submersible trips, underwater observatory, buffet lunch and reef interpretation. Diving, Scuba-doo scooter and helicopter tours are optional extras.
Green Island Cruises: Prices from Adult – $76, Child (4-14yrs) $34.50. Introductory dive: $136 (additional).
Great Barrier Reef Cruises: Prices from Adult – $197, Child (4-14yrs) – $96. Introductory dive: $139 (additional). Family Fares available for all cruises.

Silverswift is a very modern custom-designed dive and snorkel catamaran. She goes to three reef sites daily at either Flynn, Milln, Thetford or Pellowe Reefs from Cairns. This cruise caters for certified divers, introductory divers and snorkellers. Silverswift is the only dive vessel in Cairns that has a state-of-the-art ride control system for a smooth journey. Advanced Ecotourism Certified. (Sistership in Port Douglas is Silversonic)
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – $192, Child (4-14yrs) – $170. With Introductory dive: $223

Reef Quest This is a live aboard vessel that can best be decribed an a floating 4 star hotel. she is incredebly comfortable. She moves around Norman, Saxon & Hastings Reefs; and visits three dive sites a day. There are transfers everyday to and from the boat daily so that means you can stay for as little as one night or as many as you fancy. A great boat for scuba divers and snorkelling .