ROAD TRIP DIARIES # 25
After three weeks on the road, Charles and I finally made it to Cairns (pronounced like “care” and “nz” run together: “care-nz”), a proud tourist town reputed to be Australia’s reef-diving capital and the entry point to the Far North Tropical Queensland. But it wasn’t the city vibe or the party atmosphere, however, that made me count the days until I set foot in this popular holiday town.
Cairns was our chosen gateway for our trip to the Great Barrier Reef, and snorkeling among its majestic corals was high on my bucket list, perhaps next to seeing Machu Picchu in Peru or bungee jumping in Macau.
It was already late when we reached the town center so we drove straight to the caravan park we had pre-booked for two nights. After finding our own patch of grass to set up our camper van, we joined the chaotic scene at the bustling shared kitchen, which somehow reminded me of our camping days at Airlie Beach.
It was amusing to observe the cacophony of language, the smell of instant recipes wafting in the open-air hall and the infectious energy of everyone that seemed to say I’m on a holiday, a stark contrast from the laid-back and peaceful atmosphere at our camping ground in Paluma Range National Park.
The next day, while having breakfast at the communal dining area, we had a chat with a German couple who was about to set out on road trip around Australia. They had been working in the hospitality industry for 6 months and would be spending the rest of the year travelling, a common thing for backpackers and tourists on working holiday visas.
Cairns is usually the end of the line for many backpackers travelling the east-coast route from Sydney, and for long-haul bus services travelling on the Bruce Highway from Brisbane. But for us, it was a hub to get on the boat and get out to the reef before heading further North – as far as our borrowed two-wheel-drive van could manage.
If only buskers were all like him 
Our first stop in the town was the government-run Gateway Discovery Center, an information center and booking agent . I didn’t know that booking a tour here would be an adventure in itself. It was overwhelming to sift through the huge number of pamphlets for tour groups, boats charters, as well as the numerous reef locations to choose from.
In the end, we went for a smaller boat, which meant fewer tourists, and one that would go further away from the coast to the outer reef, which is the most spectacular part of the reef. The next day was already booked out, however, so we arranged for another trip to the mountain village of Kuranda while waiting for our trip to the Great Barrier Reef in two days’ time.
Hopeless on Didgeridoo
Just a stone’s throw away from the information center was the multi-million-dollar parks and salt water lagoon along the esplanade. The wide expanse of mudflats and mangroves was now a haven for sun worshippers and the long boardwalk promenade was now a popular spot for walking and bird watching.
After wading through the maze of bronzed six-packs and bikini-clad denizens, we found our own share of grass at the foreshore and had our packed sandwich here. It was one of those moments when people watching seemed more appealing to me than perusing the eclectic rows of shops in the town center and I was quite positive Charles didn’t mind either.
A little while later, we found ourselves exploring the heady jungle of tour operators, souvenir shops, restaurants and accommodation in the central area. Every inch of it seemed to beckon us to eat, drink and be merry limited only by our budget and imagination. There was skydiving, hot-air ballooning, kayaking, bird-watching, trekking and every imaginable way to empty our pockets.
But because we were too adventurous for our own good, we found ourselves wasting our time in the cinema with that hideous movie (not my opinion) “The Killers”. After that we both agreed never to watch a movie again without checking it out at rotten tomatoes.
Later in the afternoon, we headed back to the town center to check out the Night Market. It was like a typical Australian tourist market with all manner of bric-a-brac like kangaroo products, Asian handicrafts, and all sorts of souvenirs. There were a couple massage parlors as well as reptile interaction where you get to wrap a python around your neck for 10 bucks. Well, my 10 bucks was spent on cheap Chinese takeaway, which was rather more satisfying.
We capped the day walking along the promenade while waiting for the sunset. The boardwalk was filled with joggers and people going out and about and the trees at the park were now swarmed by hundreds of noisy lorikeets. The pelicans were back at the lagoon and the cheeky seagulls had calmed down a bit. After a few more pictures and a stroll to the end of the boardwalk, we also retired to our camping ground looking forward to Kuranda Scenic Train Ride the next day.
(This is part of our 6-week North Queensland Road Trip Series, which took place July- August 2010)
Australian Road Trip 101: A Vantastic Beginning
Road Trip Diaries # 1 – An Encounter with the Strangest Animal in the World
Road Trip Diaries # 2 – Of Strangler Figs, Leeches and Long Holidays
Road Trip Diaries # 3 - Exploring Finch Hatton Gorge
Road Trip Diaries # 4 – Cape Hillsborough: On Bush Walks Beach Strolls and Star Gazing
Road Trip Diaries # 5 – Cape Hillsborough: Sunrise and Wild Kangaroos
Road Trip Diaries # 6 – Airlie Beach: Beaches Babes and Backpackers
Road Trip Diaries # 7 – Ocean Rafting to the Whitsundays
Road Trip Diaries # 8 – Unexpected Encounters
Road Trip Diaries # 9 – Exploring Bowenwood
Road Trip Diaries # 10 – Townsville: Finding Nemo and the Sunken Pandora
Road Trip Diaries # 11 – A Visit at the Billabong Sanctuary and Castle Hill
Road Trip Diaries # 12 – Magnetic Island: What Captain Cook Missed
Road Trip Diaries # 13 – Paluma Range National Park: A Walk in the Clouds
Road Trip Diaries # 14 – Of Didgeridoo, Exotic Fruits and Why I love Camping in the Bush
Road Trip Diaries # 15 – Jourama Falls: A Gray Nomad Affair
Road Trip Diarues # 16 – The Bird Man of Tyto Wetlands
Road Trip Diaries # 17 – The Quest for Wallaman Falls
Road Trip Diaries # 18 – Hinchinbrook Island: Experiencing the Wilderness
Road Trip Diaires # 19 – The Tully Show: My First Aussie Fair
Road Trip Diaries # 20 - Mission Beach: Where Have All the Cassowaries Gone?
Road Trip Diaries # 21 – White Water Rafting at Tully River
Road Trip Diaries # 22 – Finding Our Way to the Enchanted Ruins
Road Trip Diaries # 23 – Paronella Park: The Dream Continues
Road Trip Diaries # 24 – Exploring Wooroonooran National Park
10 AUD para puluputan ka nag sawa? ang mahal naman… hehehe!
May kasama na daw picture-taking, pero hindi ako magbabayad para lang ipulupot ang sawa sa leeg ko
Aw, I miss Cairns. Such a beautiful city!
Indeed although sometimes I interchange images from Cairns, Townsville and Airlie Beach. I think of them all as places to eat, drink and drink
it’s raining men! matutuwa kami ni Dyanie jan! =)
Nalike na nga nya yung picture ni kuya sa FB page ko.
Spending to more satisfying and cheap takeaway stuff is a wise decision ever made, right claire? I like that portion of this post. That’s what I did when I was in U.P. because I have to buy something more satisfying that time when I get home.
Oh well, you can always do both if you have extra dough
gwapo.. este ang ganda ng tanawin! hihihi
Agree! Parang ilang oras yata kami naka-upo lang sa park at nakatingin sa magagandang tanawin
Another interesting post by you!! I think you made a wise decision what to spend your money on!!!! Food in belly better then snake wrapped around your neck!!!!
http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/08/photographing-candid-childrens-photos.html
Oh yes! I might think twice though if it’s a Koala
indeed an urban jungle with a great mix of culture
AH u went to Aus and eating in a Chinese restaurant why don’t you try their cuisine ?? Nice city to watch-out !!
hmmm, you mean like fish and chips
wow.. grabe ang listahan mo sa roadtrip.. gusto ko rin ng ganyan.. todo na..
Ako din gusto ko maulit muli
Cairns seems to be a lovely city. There are also a number of Pinoy communities there. No wonder as it seems a livable city just like the rest of Australia. And it has nice sights and places to see too… truly proving Australia is really a beautiful country. Well, it raining women too… bikinis and sun-kissed skin all day long…
hahaha yep, it’s definitely raining women too, I’m just biased so more photos of blokes were uploaded
Hey, Claire I tagged you in doing the My 7 links project, ‘hope you haven’t done it yet. Have fun… here is the link – http://ilovegoingplaces.blogspot.com/2011/08/going-7-new.html
HI Ian, actually pang-apat ka na yata sa nagtag sa akin kaya lang di ko pa rin nagagawa.
Haba na ng Road Trip Diaries. Sinungayan ka ni kuya sa photo. Natawa ako ng bongga.
Cheeky bugger!
Tinuruan ko kasi mag-peace sign sa picture.
Fun place Claire! Makes me think of Mar del Plata here in Argentina where people flock by their thousands to soak up the sun. Love the photo with you and the Didgeridoo!
I can’t wait to soak up under the Argentina sun and hopefully freeze myself at Patagonia someday. Hope you’re in Argentina by that time
I always love visiting your site. Your photos and narrative keep me glued to my computer screen – I feel like I’m there on vacation with you.
Thanks Mari, this road trip is still a long way to go so feel free to come back for more
mga sun worshippers talaga!
Hello, Claire! Mahirap ba talaga hipan yung Didgeridoo?! hehehe! =)
Sa una lang medyo mahirap pero gusto ko talaga bumili ng isa. May araw din sa akin yan
Lol, very interested to read your post about Cairns. A pity I hadn’t discovered your blog back then as you and Charles would have been welcome to crash at my place here in Yorkeys. A great beach, the boat club for a sundowner and a tour guide thrown in ! Can’t wait for more!
Too bad but I won’t forget that offer on our next visit to Cairns. We actually squatted on one of the beaches near Trinity Bay because we weren’t able to book a caravan park. It was the only night we didn’t sleep properly because we were quite nervous the police would turn up and fine us 500 bucks
Well you don’t have that problem in the future.lol.
Excellent places! It seems you have all the power to convince us para pumunta sa mga lugar na yan thru ur pics, kaso can’t afford! hehehe “)
Thanks Mitch, just believe
If only I have the resources, I’ll surely follow your foot steps. At any rate, your narrations and photos made me feel I’ve been there. The Didgeridoo photo strikes me most… I am just curious how its sound fares with the flutes of the Talaandig tribesmen in Mindanao.
I like the complexities of sounds made by the flutes of the Talaandig. DIdgeridoo seems more like a humming sound, earth’s call as they say.
Claire is that pool area part of the camp for the caravans? That just looks cool. The didgeridoo is indeed so hard to play! I’ve been able to make it sound but that circular breathing is so hard to do!
Hi Grace, it’s not part of the caravan park, it’s located at the town center and open for public use for free.
so jealous of all your travels! taking a mini-asia trip this oct to celebrate my 30th bday, any suggestions?
Happy Birthday in advance. I think you can’t go wrong with the “Pancake Trail”.
i miss cairns. it was a wet autumn when we went there but still we enjoyed the trip. My wife and daughter got seasick on the way the Green Island though. The gondola going up to Kuranda also gives you a good view of the rainforest plus of course the scenic train going down.
I miss its warm weather too. Lucky you were able to visit Green Island, for some reason, we decided to skip it.