Great Barrier Reef Bounty - Bring the Camera

Bring the Camera

You can stay at a lodge or B&B in the rainforest and embark upon 4WD safaris to see crocodiles sunning themselves among the mangroves. North of Port Douglas sits the Mossman Gorge where the Mossman River tumbles under a suspension bridge and over huge granite boulders. Just past the picturesque Wonga Beach is the quaint Daintree Village with its yesteryear character and arts and crafts shops. Hop aboard the Daintree River Ferry into the Daintree National Park and move along a winding road leading north past Cow Bay, the breathtaking Alexandra Range, the Coopers Creek wilderness area and Cape Tribulation.

The Cairns Highlands, about an hour’s drive south, provides a country retreat and romantic getaway. Prospect for gold, bask in picturesque swimming holes and enjoy charming villages and towns peppered throughout the mountains, rivers, lakes, volcanic peaks and craters.

Culture-seekers will be fascinated by the Aboriginal, Thursday Islander and Torres Strait Islander people, which offer some of Australia’s best aboriginal experiences. You can enjoy tours revealing prehistoric and modern artworks, body painting, bush foods and medicines, customs and festivals.

Hikers will find scenic strolls along rainforest boardwalks and sites around Cairns, Port Douglas, Kuranda, the Cairns Highlands, the Misty Mountains trails and the Wet Tropics Great Walk near Mission Beach.

Diving the Great Barrier Reef necessitates buying or renting a good underwater camera to capture images of the myriad sea life and coral reef color shows. Choose from day trips to live-aboard dive vessels for up to a week or more. Of course all levels of divers can partake in the trips, with a great many dive operators offering all gear needed plus guided trips – there’s safety in numbers.

Landlubbers will appreciate the Great Tropical Drive that incorporates the stunning coastal road through Cairns to Cooktown, Innisfail and Port Douglas. You’ll find lots of stop points for picture taking. Same with all the rural and outback communities of Mareeba, Atherton and Charters Towers.

For more details about Cairns tourism, visit http://www.tropicalaustralia.com.au/; for Queensland tourism, http://www.destinationfish.travel/www.tq.com.au.

Bio
Steve Cooper, a former investigative journalist, writes regular fishing columns in three Australian newspapers as well as two magazines. A native of Geelong, Australia, he’s authored several books and hosts a weekly radio show in Melbourne.