Cairns, Barron River, Hayman Island

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November 2nd 2007

Published: November 2nd 2007

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Cairns

Sofitel Reef Casino Hotel

Well after my breakfast at Silky Oaks it was time to leave for the hour and a half journey back to Cairns City The road mostly follows the coast but leaving the Daintree area behind you first travel through Sugar Cane country an important crop for this area. Then the road becomes quite twisty but you get some great views of the ocean as you head back into the hussle and bussle of the city I was staying at The Sofitel Reef Casino Hotel set in a prime location in the city centre and is located on an entire block near the Esplanade, quite a contrast from my very quiet, except for the noise of the animals, Tree House at Silky Oaks!
I must say I had a great room in the Hotel over looking the main street and ocean and once I had checked in I just had time to get organised for my White Water Rafting experience on the Barron River about 20 mins away from Cairns The rapids on the Barron River are of grade 2-3 A grade 6 being deadly!! Our guide Chris was a Kiwi and great fun and he obviously enjoyed getting us all wet

Cairns

View from my room

throughout the afternoon, although none of us quite fell out of the raft! We had to fill out an indemnity form which reading through it gave us no cover whatsoever He was amused when I told him what I did!! Anyway it was a wondeful afternoon of fun on the rapids 6 of us in the raft plus Chis steering from the back At one point we had the opportunity to jump out and float down a part of the rapids which was "cool" I thought before getting back in to our raft again The whole afternoon lasted about 3 hours with a nice cup of tea at the end and a chance to buy a "team" photo as proof of the day! Another experience to put on my CV!
Not time to see much of Cairns itself as it was a 5am wake up to go to the Airport for my flight, initially to Hamilton Island one and a half hours out of Cairns, then a one hour very impressive Catamaran Motor Lanuch trip to Hayman Island I think this is going to be a bit posh as they were serving free Champagne on the journey and canapes a

Cairns

Abbott Street

bit early at 9.15am but no one seemed to be complaining!
Hayman Island is a continental Island of some 726 acres rising to 250metres at its highest point The resort is located on the southerly shore fronted by a sweeping sandy beach and surrounded by 34 acres of lush tropical gardens Beyond the beach lies an 800 metre wide sand flat with fringing coral reef that is exposed at low tide for about 600 metres and reveals interesting coral formations and an array of marine life
Hayman's flora is diverse and includes Poplar Gum, Port Jackson Fig, Moreton Bay Ash and Whitsunday Kurrajong
A variety of Birds inhabit the island too including White Cockatoos, who try to steal food from beside the pool! Painted Lorikeets, Kookaburras and Stone curlews There are also loads of butterflies feasting on the nectar of the Eucalyptus. Hayman is also home to families of swans and ducks who reside in the resort's lagoons
My room is on the Lagoon side of the resort overlooking the beach and the ocean and IS ideallic I must say!
Today I have been discovering the resort and taking in some rays, swimming in the ocean and doing my homework!