Temporary Tourist – Argincourt Reef

Thursday was the day to see some of the Great Barrier Reef. The trip was from Pt Douglas to Argincourt Reef.

Planned route

 

Quicksilver was chosen as the best match for our needs.

Quicksilver at the wharf, 35 knot top speed.

Leaving Pt Douglas

Prawn Trawler returning to Pt Douglas as we headed out.

At the Quicksilver pontoon on Argincourt Reef.

Coral outcrop -tide was going out

Panoramic video underway.

Section of Argincourt Reef

On the pontoon

Semi-submersible on its way to the section of reef in the background.

View through semi-submersible windows.

Snorkellers

White-tipped Reef Shark

Corals -recovering from a bleaching event in 2017.

Heading back to Pt Douglas

Coming into Pt Douglas

Dive boat returning to port.

It was a great day on the reef.  One Crock enjoyed the ride back positioned at the bow, in the spray, only one knee was sunburnt but his “hair was a mess”!

 

 

Temporary Tourist – Kuranda

Kuranda is a little town in the highlands not far from Cairns.

It was the Kuranda Railway up, and up, and up…..

Traditionally painted design on the loco.

It’s a very long train.

Round and round the bends we go.

there were scenic views …

Looking back towards Smithfield

Mountain rainforest

View to the ocean

Barron Gorge

waterfalls…

Waterfall beside the track

Can you see the man meditating?

The falls went under the bridge.

The man is in the Lotus Position looking very serene beside the falling water.

a market to visit and sculptures to enjoy in Kuranda…

Delicious Smoothies available here

Bench made from train wheels and rails

Cheeky parrot

Local fauna

Each bin had a clever sculpture attached.

a ride in a gondola all the way down!

I’m not scared, I’m not scared, I’m NOT scared.

“Hope the cable maintenance is up to date.” Guess who?