|
|
Our two weeks in tropical Queensland took us from Port
Douglas, through Cairns, Townsville, Airlie Beach, Rockhampton,
Bundaberg and Hervey Bay to Brisbane. Along the way we also visited the
Great Barrier Reef to snorkel and scuba dive as well as Fraser Island.
Unfortunately, our last 4 days were in the midst of the storm preceding
Cyclone Larry that later destroyed the lovely banana plantations and the
vast fields of sugar cane as well as many signs and buildings in the
lovely beach towns.
Queensland is an area where islands,
rainforest, mountains and rivers unite.
|
Cape Tribulation, the most northerly point
reached by sealed road, is a wild tract of rainforest and hilly
headlands sweeping down to the sea. |
|
Carol and Jordan swim in the Mossman Gorge, a
tumbling freshwater stream free of crocodiles. |
In Daintree National Park, vast mangrove
swamps provide a unique and vital ecosystem.
|
Castle Rock stands guard over Townsville, a
charming coastal city of 140,000. Townsville's beachfront
"Strand" has water parks, rockpools, barbeques, fitness tracks
and a view of Magnetic Island. |
Since stingers, poisonous jellyfish, are a
danger in the ocean waters at this time of year, waterfront
cities have artificial salt-water lagoons for safe swimming.
This one in Cairns features modern fountains and sculptures.
|
|
A cluster of 74 islands make up the Whitsunday
group. The island group lies at the same latitude as Hawaii and
has tropical weather, white sand beaches, coral reefs and
secluded luxury tourist resorts, like this one at Hamilton
Island. |
The coastal town of Airlie Beach on the Coral
Sea is the gateway to the Whitsundays, and one point of
departure for the Great Barrier Reef.
|
|
