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Queensland from Brisbane to Cape Tribulation

Queensland from Brisbane to Cape Tribulation

So we finally said yes to this question, "Can I survive a 15 min flight, a 4 hr. wait and then 15 hr flight to Brisbane?"  After seeing our daughter and her family this summer in Canada we finally decided that even though Australia wasn't a huge draw for us; family was. So here we now are and it wasn't quite as painful due to a few tricks we have learned over time.

After a visit and quick tour and lunch we caught a 2 hr nap before the grand-kids came home from school then caught up with them.

The next day we were ready for our first bike ride, a 22 km. breezy ride on the Gold coast from Southport to Surfers Paradise.
Southport on the Gold Coast
A great lunch was had at a "surf Club" situated on one of the great Aussie beaches. An excellent day! 


The next day was Awards night at the John Paul College. Needless to say the boys made a nice haul!
John Paul College Symphony


Kaden and Riley's Trophy haul in Sports and Academics



Shannon and Jim Story Bridge in Background
We then followed that up with another day of riding, this time downtown Brisbane where we started near Kangaroo Pt. over the Story bridge built back in the 1800's and around a re-vitalized downtown Brisbane.

I Love the Sign ????






















Koala Posing??
With the weekend we headed to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and got a chance to get familiar with some of the unique animals of Australia. Koala's and Kangaroo's are just 2 of the unique species. Anyone with an interest in Biology must come to Australia.


Abbey and Sandra feeding the Kangaroos


Our flight to Cairns on Sunday was a perfect flight day and we got a chance to see parts of the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef.
Great Barrier Reef


Very pretty scenery for sure and it just whet our appetites for more. Monday was a bit of a rain out day so we made the best use of it locally in Port Douglas on the beach and checked with Wavelength Dive tours and booked in for Wednesday the better weather day.
Beautiful Sunset in Port Douglas


Tuesday was much improved and we headed for the Daintree rain forest. The Daintree Rainforest is estimated to be 180 million years old which is tens of millions of years older than the Amazon Rainforest. The drive from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation is 65 kms and allows you to step back in time. There are a variety of walks that can be taken and we took them all.
Swinging at Cow Bay
Daintree River Ferry, a step back in time & Croc Warning


Daintree Ecosystem wet Lands


Just a thing we do

Finally Wednesday arrived and our much anticipated Great Barrier Reef Dive session.
Waiting to Board the Dive Boat
We chose Wavelength Tours for this snorkel and reef visit because of the marine biologist they have. Johanna is so infectious with her enthusiasm about the biology on the reef that everyone enjoyed all the talks we had during the trip out and lunch. 
Wavelength


Photo courtesy of Wavelength


And the reef itself did not disappoint. And the weather was perfect!
Leaving Port Douglas


Lunch and some sun! 1 guy DEAD!


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