Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

After our late evening flight into Cairns we were so grateful to be picked up by our hotel courtesy transfer bus. We went to straight to bed and headed straight out the very next morning to make use of the very little time we had in Cairns.

Cairns coastline

Cairns' 'beach'

We wondered around the very little main hub of Cairns for the most part. We were lucky enough to be there on a Sunday and visit the weekly market which sold everything from fruit and veg to clothes and antiques. We wondered up and down the Esplanade which is a board walk which runs along the coast and sat and watched huge pelicans as they fished.

Fishing pelicans

We had lunch - possibly our last on mainland Australia - right opposite the lagoon which is a huge saltwater pool which caters for the tourists as there is no beach. We decided to go all out and have some crocodile and surprisingly it was so nice - a cross between chicken and bacon.

Dining along the Esplanade, Cairns

Mmm crocodile...yummy

After wondering some more we decided to head back to the hotel and get some rest in readiness for what was probably the most amazing day we had experienced in our whole month on this continent!

The very next morning we made our way over to the harbour and boarded our sailing boat - the Osprey V - which would take us to the Great Barrier Reef!

Osprey V

We were introduced to the whole crew and had breakfast on the boat. After an hour and half of speed sailing and lots of briefings on safety, snorkelling, diving, lunch and helicopter flights we arrived at our first reef destination.

Getting 'briefed'

As soon as we arrived we jumped straight into the water and went snorkelling.

Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef

The reef was amazing - the water was crystal clear, warm and there were thousands of fish all around us.

Millions of fishies...

We spent about 2-3 hours here and we got to go diving again.

Getting ready to dive

The descent (and a clam)

Spiky hair

Sea Cucumber

During our time here we saw huge clams which shuddered close when you tickled the middle bit, we held huge sea cucumbers which felt like fleece in the water and we saw lots of other weird and wonderful creatures.

Starfish 2

Starfish 3

Fish 4

Back from diving the Great Barrier Reef!

We were able to spend as much time in the water as we wanted before our BBQ lunch was served on board the boat.

On the deck of the boat

On our way to the next reef destination we managed to spend some time on the deck chatting to the other people on the trip and on arrival we were greeted by Wally - a huge Maori Wrasse Fish - who apparently comes to greet the same boat everyday!

Here comes Wally...

As soon as the boat stopped we all got into the water and swam with this amazing big-lipped creature which was so friendly - he wanted to be hand-fed prawns and even played around while everyone hugged him, kissed (yes some people kissed the fish!) and stroked him. It was amazing!

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Where's Wally?

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After a brief time in the water we were called out to board our helicopter for a scenic trip of the reef.

Helipad on the reef

From the boat the reef looked amazing - but from the sky it looked like something else especially when you realise it is one huge living organism.

GBR 1

GBR 2

GBR 3

GBR 4

We returned to our boat where we got to board the semi submersible boat which took a tour of the reef - where we finally saw where Nemo lives - but we’re afraid to say we didn’t find Nemo or his friend Dori!

Fish 1

Starfish 1

Fish 2

We were able to snorkel some more before this amazing day was over and then headed back on board where we were treated to lots of free alcohol and entertainment by the crew. All in all it was an amazing day and one hell of a way to end our time in Australia.