We flew from Uluru to Cairns, going from desert to rainforest.  Our first stop was the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway where we visited the rainforest in Barron Gorge National Park.  While on the cable car, we passed just over the top of the rainforest canopy (first picture).  We then hiked on a boardwalk through the rainforest.  The third picture is a Kauri Pine.  It is the tallest species of trees in Queensland and can grow to a height of 160 feet.   Our walk also took us to a lookout where we saw Barron Gorge and the Barron Falls.

I don’t usually comment on lodging, but it was so unique that I want to include it in this post.  We stayed at Silky Oaks Lodge which is on the Mossman River.   Accommodations were private cabins with a balcony/deck overlooking the rainforest.  In the morning, we woke to birds calling back and forth to each other. The restaurant was open-air with views of the rainforest and Mossman River.   The fruit which seems to be hanging from its tree by strings are bush mangoes.  The last two pictures were taken from the shore of the Mossman.

The next day, we took a Quicksilver catamaran from Port Douglas to a platform anchored in the Agincourt Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef.   The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef in the world and is the only living thing visible from space.

The catamaran was tied to the platform throughout the day so we had access to both.  The platform has an underwater observatory – two of the pictures in this section were taken from the observatory.

While riding the catamaran to the platform, I booked a helicopter tour.  We took a small boat from the platform to a helipad.  The helicopter ride was only about ten minutes, but offered a unique view of the reef.  I took the next pictures from the helicopter.  Much of the Great Barrier Reef is bleaching due to global warming.  The bleaching damages the reef and actually kills some of the coral.  Scientists say the reef can be saved if global warming is addressed – but the need is urgent.

We also took a ride in a submersible.   Although we were only about three feet under the surface of the water, we were able to see both coral and colorful fish. The ride was about 25 minutes and was available throughout the day at no extra cost.  The pictures that follow were taken from the submersible.

I did not snorkel, but a fellow-traveler, Ronnie, took a guided snorkeling tour with a marine biologist.  I asked her if she would take my underwater camera with her – she graciously agreed and took these beautiful pictures.