Johnson River Croc farm. None of the commercial Steve Irwin stuff, this is just a bunch of nutters sitting on 5m crocodiles and feeding them a foot away from the audience. One lunged out of the pen resulting in girlie screams and brown underpants.
Saturday 21st February
Finally made it to Cairns which is the port for all the Barrier Reef cruises. The man made lagoon at the beach front is class.
Sunday 22nd February
Cape Tribulation is a long way to go for a day trip especially as it's the rainy season and the road often floods. Becasue we were cramming a lot in we just got a taste of Mossman Gorge before riding a boat down the croc infested Daintree River. Did get to see a croc sunbathing on a log but it was just a baby. The road up to Cape Tribulation passes some beautiful unspoilt beaches fringed with mangrove forest. The rainforest covered mountains of the great dividing range come right to the shore which provides for great views. The rainforest educational centre had a tower and aerial walkway which took you up into the canopy of the umbrella trees, vines and palms. About to nod off on the way back to Cairns when a cassowary appeared in the trees just off the road.
Monday 23rd February
The Tjapukai Centre near Cairns is really cool. It starts off with the local aboriginal tribes telling of the story of creation then goes on to demonstrations of traditional dance. This is all quality but the best bit is learning how to throw a spear and a boomerang. The guides make it look easy spearing a kangaroo model at 50 metres but the tourists are more dangerous at close range. The final scrrening we went to documented the treatment of the local peoples by early european settlers. Pretty uncomfortable to watch.
24th February
Green Island reef tour: another cheap standby ticket for the catamaran out to this resort island on the inner barrier reef. The snorkelling off the pier was fantastic. Lots of large trevaille, batfish and a massive potato cod. Lots of jellyfish around but fortunately not of the box variety. Stayed in the water till we had wrinkly skin. *********************
31 votes 
This is a top pick!
