| Mission Beach - July 06 |
Port Douglas - July 06 |
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Daintree National Park & Cape Tribulation - July 06 |
Cape York - August 06
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After many years living in Oz, so many people were surprised that we hadn't visited 'The Reef' or been up to Northern Queensland. Surely that's what every visitor does when they come to Australia? So it seems.
Cairns Airport becomes the third busiest airport in Australia during its peak tourist season between May and September. This is when the rain has subsided (the wet season became slightly extended this year due to Cyclone Larry) and the dry winter season boasts average temperatures of 27 degrees.
The tropics begin in earnest north from Townsville and stretch right up to to the tip of Australia in Cape York. We have spent probably two months traipsing around the region and have to admit that if it wasn't for the extremities of the wet season, when the humidity becomes unbearable, we would have considered sticking around Cairns for a while. Highlights of our time here have been; tramping the lush, green rainforests around Cape Tribulation in search of rare birds and green tree frogs. Our 4WD trip around remote Cape York, especially the freshwater rivers and waterfalls and that large spanish mackerel we caught, that was big enough to feed 12 - BELIEVE! The array of wildlife - our bird book has been well thumbed through; the fact that it has become windier and kite surfing appears to be the regions number one sport but most importantly the friends we have made - the fellow travellers who we have had so much fun with. Far North Queensland has been a fantastic experience and one to remember.
PHOTO SLIDESHOWS
Boasting 350 days of sun a year, we had heard that this place was a tropical paradise. When we arrived it was lashing down with rain and it still looked very weather beaten following Cyclone Larry, which had only ripped through a few months earlier. We however spent a fun week here, catching up with friends from as far away as Hong Kong, to those we had recently met travelling up the coast. And the sun finally put its hat on. 
Situated approx 65km north of Cairns, Port Douglas is to Cairns what Marbella is to Malaga! The wind blew, the coast was over taken by kite surfers and we had a great time hanging out with friends, whilst at the same time all playing the game of avoiding the Council Rangers who waged war on free campers ruining their Five Star environment!.
Where the rainforest meets the reef! What an amazing place - possibly Claire's favourite National Park so far. From here we dived out on the Great Barrier Reef, spotted more than one elusive crocodile; enjoyed idyllic empty beaches; hunted hard for Cassowaries and green frogs; spent hours birdwatching in the rainforest - what a perfect place to chill out! 
Known as one of the last frontiers in Australia, with the most northern tip of the country stretching out into the Torres Strait. We embarked on a 14 day bush camping safari, which took us into an environment so different to any place we have visited in Australia previously.