Atherton Tablelands

Hi there. Spent last 2 nights in absolute luxury in Mount Quincan luxury treetop retreats for couples- bath spa included with great views. Saw tree kangaroos from balcony and fed paddy melons down below. Had a brill boat tour of lake Barrine, guide feeds wild life at special spots including eeels, turtles and close up and personal with amethyst python in the reeds.

Saw more sightings of platypus on early morning walk (7 pm!) Toured Australia's own tea plantation-Dave really enjoyed that!!! Walked 6km around Lake Barrine-marked path with board walks, just looking at small rat kangaroos when I turned and spotted blake snake by bush, gasped and spooked David-my snake spotter let me down! Fortunately it scuttled away. Apparently, the guide says its up there-no 6 of top ten most venomous. Apparently we were lucky to get a sighting! Just getting over that when decided to do platypus walk again- under the bridge, Dave in front too busy looking for platypuses,,,,,,,behind him on rocks 2 m version of the same black snake. I wet myself and Dave took a picture-typical! Decided to abort walk. Dave needs to watch the path we've decided! Think we'll get back to coast today-much safer I think!

rainforest and bush

Got car, left Cairns hit Kuranda before most of tourists. Did walk, very touristy, left for Mareeba-went to a wetland and bush reserve. What a contrast, 3 miles down a dusty unmade road and then an amazing lagoon and wildlife centre. Decided to stay the night in a deluxe bush tent (tent on staging, attached open topped ensuite) I was a bit anxious as only 2 others staying a long way from us. Evening walking saw kangaroos - so quiet and then beautiful sunset over lagoon. Visited lots in night by scratching in tent and scuttling-licking our dinner plates clean- "quoll". David surprised one or was it the other way around! Had an amazing bird tour in jeep with Chuck(alias Crocodile Dundee) next morning 7 am - 61 species of birds. Moved on around Atherton- much tamer, but lovely. Caught sight of first platypus this morning!

thanks for the invite

dave/nicky nice to here from you really enjoyed the photographs and text, glad you're having a good time you get used to things scratching around in the night if you have a dog, enjoy the rest of your holiday, brian,lorna,sam,tilly.

Had Dave and Niki here for a week in Tassie.It was great to see them and show them our way of life.Hope they enjoyed the visit.Nice to see them in the warm weather now,its rained non stop since they left.We all miss them.
D,J,C,C&Milo

Great Reef

Yes! That's really us underwater on the Great Barrier Reef! I can't believe I did it-just managed to avoid sea sickness in time as we arrived at reef. Scuba divers and snorklers aboard, no room for sunbathers only! Dropped into water- WOW!

Pictures taken by underwater diver. Divers actually only 5 metres below us, we could see them. Reef teaming with amazing fish complete with sea turtle and 4 feet shark. On way back we were treated to mother and 2 calves humpback whales breaching water in spectacular leaps!

Cairns Day2

Up early-breakfast provided, loads of people emerged. Picked up bikes and off we went. Spent a lot of time in Botanical Gardens, very lush, amazing plants. Back for swim in Lagoon. Off on our Barrier Reef trip tomorrow. Car booked for a tour of rainforest area over following few days.

Cairns

Arrived yesterday morn, very warm, lovely setting.
bustling resort. Had first swim in lagoon-water freezing! Beach not for swimming, brill for birds. Went to "Reef Teach" really interesting talk about Great Barrier ready for our snorkling expedition on Thursday - all day out on reef. Bit concerned that she gave us advice on best sea sickness tablets!
Put photos up when I can.