Cairns

After 3 quick nights in Sydney I flew up the coast to Cairns. After being in one big city after another it was nice to be in a much smaller city. Cairns is a popular jumping off point for the rainforest in Australia and of course the Great Barrier Reef. I spent my first day riding the Kuranda Scenic Railway to the town of Kuranda. It was a nice trip and on the way back you can take a gondola/sky ride down the mountain and over the canopy of the rainforest back to near Cairns. I really appreciated my time roaming around Kuranda and the trips there and back. At the recommendation of locals, the next day I took a ferry out to Fitzroy Island, which is on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. I spent most of the day on the island where I took a hike to lighthouse and peak and a glass bottom boat tour of parts of the fringe reef near the island. Unfortunately waters were a bit murky and it was jellyfish season so full bodysuits were required for any in-water activity. After a cloudy and rainy start it ended up being a beautiful day on the island that I really enjoyed. 

Kuranda Scenic Railway

Rain forest canopy sky ride 

Hotel views

Top of Fitzroy Island

Glass boat

Nudey Beach!