The northeast coast of Queensland is truly magnificent with natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and UNESCO rainforests and quaint little beach towns that calm the soul.

Cairns is a quiet little town, with a population of a mere 170,000, that beckons those who want to visit the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The Reef stretches for over 1,400 miles off the northeast Queensland coast and is purported to be the only living organism on earth visible from space.  The “Reef” is actually made up of approximately 2,900 separate reefs with 300 sand isles in the reef and is 6,000-8,000 years old.  It is also home to more than 350 species of hard coral and 1,500 varieties of fish!  Unfortunately, it is significantly affected by not only man’s stupidity but also by natural occurrences like the cyclones common in this part of the world.  As recently as 2023 cyclone Jasper blew through and did a great deal of damage to the reef.  The good news is that the coral can regenerate quickly but some of the damage was still visible.

It may be surprising to learn that the reef is 10 to 50 miles off the coast.  So, one does not just walk out and view this wonder.  But, as you might guess, there is a plethora of adventure providers waiting to whisk you out to the reef.   So – pick one and head out.  Today’s transportation was provided by Reef Magic (imagine that – Magic!) to an incredible floating platform where one could don wetsuits or obtain snorkel equipment, ride in glass bottom boats or partial submersibles, observe from an underwater observation deck, learn about the native peoples of the land and how they used every part of the reef in their lives, have lunch and enjoy the beauty!  What an incredible day – –

Today’s transport to the Great Barrier Reef.

‘Magic’ docked with one of many platforms installed above the reef for diving and viewing.

On a glass bottom boat with fellow travelers Jeff and Randy.

A hand carved device used by aboriginal spear fishers to extend the throwing range of their spears.

Semi-submersible used to provide a little bit better view of the reef than the glass bottom boat.

Several views of the reef and fish – –

Good view of ‘spaghetti’ coral.

Just a little further down the coast one comes upon Townsville – a quaint little town of approximately 200,000 people.  This entire coast was explored by Captain Cook in the late 1700’s and much of it was named by him.  Townsville, however, received its name from a British Merchant who contributed the money to build the port around 1866 – Robert Towns.  This area grows a huge amount of sugar cane allowing it to export 30-35 million tons per year!  There are also very large fields of pineapple.  All these fields set at the foot of rainforests and beautiful National Park areas.  When one tires of exploring the Great Barrier Reef – head inland and up into the mountains for another kind of exquisite beauty.  One choice is Girringun National Park and the Wallaman Falls – the highest, single-drop waterfall in Australia.  This is all located in the UNESCO Wet Tropics World Heritage Area housing some of the oldest rainforests on earth.  Try to do this on a nice day as the scenery is beautiful!!

Now, on to the rainforest.

The 882 foot high Wallaman Falls.

Hiking through the rainforest spotting a huge bird’s nest at the center top of the photo.

The dark brown tree beneath the whiter colored growth will eventually be strangled and replaced by the tree growing around it – which grows from the top down!

Pineapple fields forever.

There is plenty of bird and animal life to be seen.  Fortunately, not much was seen in the rainforest as almost everything inhabiting that area will kill you!  If you are lucky a sighting of a Wallaby might occur.  And if you are really lucky, you might get to see a mum and her little joey – –

Wallaby mother with a joey in the pouch.

This cruise provided glimpses of wonderful Australian ports and – for many – that Bucket List item of the Great Barrier Reef.  So much different than the first 30 days although all experiences have had their purpose.  For now, it is goodbye to Australia heading east to the South Pacific islands.

Farewell Australia. We’ll be back.

Wonderful exposure to Australia!  In fact, so wonderful another trip has already been booked!!

E & G – From the sea to the mountains and back to the sea;-)