The Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest,
Blue Mountains and Kangaroo Island (Australia)
May of 2000
Author: Elizabeth Marie Kallman
Participants: Elizabeth and 1 Aussie
GREAT BARRIER REEF
After a 14 hour plane ride from Los Angeles to Sydney, I then
met up with my Aussie climbing partner and we flew immediately up
to Cairns, Queensland (~3 hours). The temperature in Cairns was rather
warm and humid at about 85 F. Accomodation rates vary, depending on
whether you are willing to stay in a "backpacker resort" or
insist upon something a bit more pricey; there tends to be a
substantially more active nightlife for the former rather than the
latter. We visited two islands off the coast of Cairns for diving:
Michaelmus Cay and Green Island. Michaelmus Cay, a bird santuary island
at the outermost reef, was a bit more spectacular, but the price to pay
is a longer boat ride on what can be rather rocky seas. Bring
anti-seasickness pills if you are prone. In the crystal clear water we
saw a multitude of brightly colored fish, stingrays, coral, starfish,
and the list goes on and on; especially memorable are the giant
150 year old clams. Now I know why the Great Barrier Reef is one of
the seven natural wonders of the world. Also highly recommended is
Mission Beach, approximately at two hour drive south from Cairns, which
is extrememly isolated and utterly spectacular, with pure white sand,
palm trees, and fascinating rock formations. However be wary of the
stinger box jellyfish which prey around that beach through much of
the year; we were lucky to be there in the off-season.
DAINTREE
Within close driving distance to Cairns is the densely lush and humid
Daintree Rainforest, which, like the Great Barrier Reef is also a
World Heritage Area. Brilliantly colored dark blue, fire-engine red and
purple-spotted butterflies. Giant waterfalls. I have never experienced
such a dense rainforest canopy such as this before in my life. After
our 10 mile hike, perks included a stop at the Tjakupai Aborigine Park,
where my highlight of the visit was where I learned how to throw a boomerang
and Aboriginal spears. So enthralled was I by the boomerang experience
I bought one for myself.
BLUE MOUNTAINS
In the spectacular Blue Mountains, we did the Wentworth Falls trek at
the end of one day, and the Mt Victoria to Blue Gum Forest trek for
one solid day. We hooked up with the Sydney Rockclimbing club and
did some incredible climbs!! We did some climbs around Celebrity Crag,
Bay Tree Towers, and Three Sisters among many others. Sadly, Three
Sisters will be closed starting on July 1 2000 for five years. I
found the Aussie climbers to be laid back and extremely
friendly--and yet be very considerate and conscientious. A truly
enjoyable experience. I will be back.
KANGAROO ISLAND
Yes, we saw plenty of kangaroos both in the outback on the drive from
Sydney to Adelaide--where we caught the boat for Kangaroo Island--as well
as on the actual island itself. We did several treks in the
rainforest, and went caving in Kelly caves. Also saw Remarkable Rocks
and tons of seals on the beaches around the area. The most exhiliarating
experience was attacking the boulder problems on the beach of Stoke's
Bay--and isolated beach at the end of a long, dusty dirt road, which
ultimately takes some clambering through a little cave to access.
Beautiful rock formations, soft sand, crashing waves, palm
tree swaying in the wind--who could ask for more? My highlight of the
trip to the island was seeing koalas in the trees in the wild, even though
most of them were sleeping. In the end, Kangaroo Island turned out to
be my favorite spot of all of the places I visited,
and the next time I go back to Oz, I'd like to spend a large portion of
my time there.
