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Published: August 1st 2010
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This year to escape the cold we tossed up between Rarotonga (never been there) and Tropical North Queenland (last visit 1998). Both had the prerequisite minimum temperature, but TNQ won this time due to the many attractions and things to do to keep everyone happy.
Pacific Blue had the cheapest fares available - albeit no frills much to the kids disappointment. Ashleigh was gutted that she wasn't going to have inseat entertainment nor gourmet food for almost 6 hours! What was she going to do for THAT long? We did hire them a dvd player and supplied pot noodles to pass the time...
Arrived into Cairns the dark and immediately dispensed with the jersey - Ahhhh, I'm already enjoying this holiday. Picked up our hire car from Avis (a near new Corolla) and found our way up the main (only) highway north to our home for the next 5 nights at Clifton Beach. We'd rented a beachfront apartment from a local Real Estate and it was just fantastic. Better than we expected. Just across a quiet road to the beach, pretty swimming pool and views to die for. The noise of the waves did keep us awake tho' -
nevermind, I'm sure we'll get used to it...
The next morning we drove around to Palm Cove (further in the car than walking along the beach) and had a yummy breakfast at Cocky's Cafe across from the Beach. Palm Cove is still very cute and as picturesque as we remembered it. It hasn't quite been overdeveloped (close, but it is mostly well planned) and it would have to be my favourite of all the Northern Beaches. We would end up spending quite a bit of our time here as it turned out to be only a 15 minute walk along the beach.
One day we drove up the coast to visit Hartleys Crocodile Farm. This is a miniature "Australia Zoo" and had all the usual Koalas, Kangaroos, Snake show etc as well as a major focus on Crocodiles. We were shown the Croc "farm" (poor things) and went on a boat trip around a lagoon where they teased the crocs into lunging out of the water for bait. Saw our first Quolls (a cute relative of the Tazzy Devil) and the elusive Cassowary and tasted our first Crocodile on a skewer for lunch - similar to salty chicken.
Oh and did I mention that it's been 28 degrees :-)
Another afternoon we took a drive down to Cairns (about 25km) and explored the waterfront area and Marina. Boy were there some fancy, expensive boats to gawp at. Just amazing! We were there just in time to see the "Sea Patrol" vessel arriving then leaving port which was quite cool. We ened up having a very nice pizza at Rattle n Hum on the Esplanade before having a look around the night market (not sure why they don't call it the Asian Market?). Ash had a ball buying beads, bracelets etc - she's quite the shopoholic these days. Very impressed with Cairns. The waterfront area is very beautiful and the kids are keen to come back during the day to check out the lagoon pool.
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