Cairns.
In Cairns, Queensland, Australia, the home of two World Heritage Areas – the Great Barrier Reef, and Cape Tribulation in the Daintree Rainforest – you will see an stunning ocean that is home to an abundence of marine life, cloudless skies, and golden yellow sand that merge with lush dark green rainforest.
Expert Travel Tip:
The best area to stay at when visiting Cairns, is the Northern Beaches, because tourist operators will pick you up from your accommodation, and it is comfortable and trendy with self-contained apartments that are only fifteen to thirty minutes away from the city, depending on which beach suburb you choose. Plus, it is so relaxing as a getaway destination as you wake up near the waterfront and hear the waves crash.
Cape Tribulation Beach and the Daintree Rainforest National Park:
Cape Tribulation is located almost 100 kilometres drive from Cairns and is within the Daintree Rainforest, which is World Heritage listed.
Expert Travel Tip:
Cape Tribulation has beautiful spa resorts, so stay overnight in luxury. Cape Tribulation is in the middle of the Daintree Rainforest, when you can enjoy wildlife cruises on the Daintree River, to spot Crocodiles in the wild, and walk on boardwalks amongst lush rainforest as well as along
miles of deserted~ golden sand beaches. They say Cape Tribulation is “where the rainforest meets the reef”. As the only place in the world where two World Heritage areas meet one another – it is a magical location! It is very assessable for those who are not mobile, and makes for a great family destination.
Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway:
Constructed in the 1990’s, the Skyrail spans almost 8 kilometres over the Barron Gorge National Park, and is acclaimed as being simply breath-taking, even for those travellers who are scared of heights.
Expert Travel Tip:
When going on the Kuranda scenic Railway and the Skyrail Cableway I also advise going to the Tjapukai Aboriginal theme Park, because here you will learn how to throw a woomera , play the music sticks and enjoy Aboriginal dancing, which is great fun for all the family, as well as learning about Aboriginal traditions. Also make time to visit the markets.
Lizard Island:
Located about 250 kilometres from Cairns, Lizard Island is one of the many islands located in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Expert Travel Tip: I strongly recommend Mike Ball Dive Expedition’s 3 night fly / dive expedition which starts with a stunning scenic flight along the barrier reef, landing at Lizard Island to meet up with the dive vessel that takes you to some of the most {perfect reefs that you will ever see}. I had numerous scuba trips~worked on the Great Barrier Reef for a number of years} before I went on this trip, and I was amazed by the marine life that I had never seen before like the beautiful lacy scorpion fish and the ghost pipe fish. And if you think you can’t dive then think again, an resort dive is perfect, as long as you are free from medical problems such as heart problems, or asthma, and it is a relaxing way to see the reef for everyone.
The Outback and Uluru:
Some of the sights that you will come accross when visiting Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory are vividly coloured landscapes and amazing rock structures that are incredible, red earth {that blazes brighter than fire embers}, and indigenous art and culture that shows what it truly means to be Australian.
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Ayers Rock:
Situated just over 350 kilometres southwest of Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, also known as Uluru is a natural rock monolith that is situated in the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Uluru is believed to be thousand of years old and is a ‘must see’.
Expert Travel Tip: The ultimate way to see the Rock is to do a 4 day , 3 night safari, so you can see much more, and so you can see Uluru in all its facets, at sunset and at sunrise. You can either camp, or stay in a luxury hotel. This way you are also able to see Kings Canyon and the Olgas, and the colours of the landscape as they change, which is simply breathtaking.