I sailed a yacht, slept under stars, fell in love, ate tree ants, swam with turtles, and jumped out of a plane. The following is my account of two incredible weeks travelling from Brisbane to Cairns with GAdventures.
Such a beautiful country, Australia. Even in the midst of Winter with the cold in my bones and the wet in my hair. Summer had come and gone, and the amber colours of Autumn departed; the trees now lay bare. I had sunk so much time and effort into my job that I decided it was time for a break. I packed my things and flew north; I was on my way to the tropics.
I started my journey in Brisbane where I could catch up with friends, beer, and sleep.
I spent a good amount of time with Ryan and Aymee. Ryan showed me the bars, and Aymee showed me the sights; the later of which I have more memories and, luckily, more photos.
Hello, Brisbane.
Holding koalas and feeding kangaroos.
By the time I hit the road, a few days later, I was suitably relaxed and totally hung-over following a three day drinking bender.
Starting my trip on the pristine sand-island of Fraser (K’Gari), but running a little late we have to race across the sand to catch the ferry. The waves lapping at our wheels on one side and forest grazing our flank on the other, tightly trying to tip-toe our truck towards the ferry, but making it before high-tide and before the ferry leaves without us.
As we head off to the island we see pods of dolphins swimming around, and migrating whales spouting plumes of white water into the air. We enjoy a beautiful sunset as we drive to camp, sleeping in huts nestled in the rainforest.
We spend a few days bathing in paradise, swimming in crystal-clear lagoons and lakes, and floating down creeks.
Exploring the island by beach and rainforest.
At night, we walked down to the ocean, guided by the gentle crash of the waves. Standing in complete darkness on the shoreline truly felt as though I was standing at the edge of the world. Nothing before me but sea and stars, endless in it’s expanse. Each star clinging on to the milky way, a wispy arc bending across the sky.
Next stop, after leaving Fraser Island, is Rockhampton for a campfire dinner at a farm and sleeping underneath the stars. Waking up early morning to feed the farms cows and goats.
Once everyone is fed we drive to the docks and board a yacht, our home for the next few days as we sail the tropical Whitsunday Islands.
Ahh the serenity, so much serenity.
Stopping off, on our three day cruise, at various islands along the way.
We found these tree ants which taste like limes. You move your hands near one till he raises to attack, then pinch his head before he bites you and lick his behind - the green tastes like you’re licking limes!
Back on the yacht and batten down the hatches - heavy winds are on their way!
Docking in Airlie Beach and continuing our journey north, we’re now well within the tropics and are Cairns bound for the Great Barrier Reef.
Wow. This place is amazing, but it’s only through hindsight that I realise how many people there are and how damaging this is all to the eco-system. Enjoy my photos, I recommend going, but maybe try to do it as enviro-happy as you can.
I got to swim with fishes.
Tuuuurtles :) Yo jelly-dude, you were all like woah!
Then I was all like woaaah as I jumped out of an aeroplane at 15, 000 ft. Glided in over the Great Barrier Reef watching turtles, then cruised in for touch-down on the beach.
](https://omgaz.co/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/10517643_619340262881_8697444924131285699_o.jpg)
Then calming things down in the Daintree Rainforest for my last few days in the sun.
As usual, photos on Flickr, check out the full album here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/omgaz/sets/72157645641444565/