Today was my visit up to the world's oldest rain forest in Cape Tribulation. Almost. First stop on the way is a small wildlife park where we were introduced to some seriously cute Koalas. Asleep in their trees, not a care in the world. One of them woke up to yawn but all this was a bit too much for him so he went for another little snooze. It was then time to stroke a baby croc and an old python. I'm not sure if it was my imagination playing tricks but the snake seemed to be edging closer and closer to me which meant a little journey to the back of the crowd was in order. I wandered around the sanctuary , smiled at a crocodile, waved at some wallabies and then.... kangaroos! They exist! ... read more

I feel like I have been in Airlie Beach forever. Today, I went to meet Rona who is lucky enough to be working on a Whitsunday Island/boat. We didn't get up to much exciting (for a non-backpacker that is) but just caught the bus to the good shops and cheap supermarkets. It was lovely to catch up with Rona, an old friend by travelling terms even though it was only short and sweet. The afternoon brought with it a swim in the lagoon (which is strangely right next to the (jellyfish-ridden) sea) with Martyn and his friend. Followed by another evening at Beaches, ending with everyone going for drinks on Rich's balcony. Finally time to leave Airlie, I checked out, stored my luggage for the day and went a wandering again. Until I was soon back ... read more

Hop off the bus to be the only person not greeted by my hostel - they don't run shuttles from the bus station. So, in the rain, I start walking in the hope that I'll be able to find it (forgot to check where it was!) Luckily, Airlie really isn't too big so it wasn't difficult. There's a queue at check in so I get in it and watch as all the people in front of me check in. My turn. "Sorry you can't check in yet. You'll have to wait until 11.00am." It's now just about to turn 7.00am. Normally, this wouldn't bother me but I was pretty tired from the bus, everyone before me was able to check in and it was raining so there was nowhere to go. I can't complain too much ... read more

Today, I took a ferry over to the lovely Tin Can Bay to feed wild dolphins. This is where you have the opportunity to feed the resident wild dolphins, Mystique and Patch. Mystique, the 19 year old alpha male and Patch, the 23 year old female. Both endangered Indo Pacific humpback dolphins. The first of the dolphins to come to Tin Can Bay was Mystique's grandfather who had been badly injured from a shark attack and beached himself ashore. The local fisherman nursed him back to health and set him back into the waters on recovery. He remembered the fisherman and returned regularly for a little bit of fish. This tradition passed down to Mystique's parents and he is now passing it down to his pod. To feed the dolphins, you buy two fish from the ... read more

Five hour bus journey to Rainbow Beach. Very small town where the friendly locals say 'G'day' as they pass you. I take a little walk to check out the beach and it was perfect timing too - the Sun was just setting, the sky several shades of pink, the surfers catching the last waves of the day and a whale splashing around in the distance. Although admittedly, it was so small and far away that I'm not actually sure that I saw it. The next day was all about Fraser Island and what to do and what not to do there. After this long, boring speech, the hostel took me up to the sand blows (think that's what they're called) which is like a mini sand desert on the edge of town overlooking the sea on ... read more