Cairns

Cairns

Having spent 4 nights in Brisbane (blog to follow shortly) with a friend from back home I decided to take a trip to Cairns. I booked return flights for $200 with jetstar. The two hour flight was over soon enough and I arrived at Gilligans Backpackers Hostel in the center of cairns at around 9am.

Cairns is extremely laid back place and fortunate enough to have sun while the rest of Australia is experiencing its winter in full. Gilligans is best described as a club 18 to 30 hostel, great night life, on site pool, gym etc and my nights out I always finished in Gilligans.

Fortunately the South Sydney Rabbitohs were in town playing the Titans so I ventured to the stadium to watch my first ever rugby league game. Great atmosphere and great game! I ventured back to the hostel took advantage of the happy hour and arranged to meet Chris and Tom (along with their friends) who I originally met in Bangkok, a great night was had by all!!

A quick hostel change meant I was now on the Cairns Esplanade. A great public park area with BBQs, swimming pool, wifi and to quote Lonely Planet "lots of bikini clad women" what better place to stay. Although seriously what a great place to chill out, relax and recover from the night before?? 

I decided to have two productive days and booked day trips with new friends Tilly and Hilda

For one of those I caught the train along the "scienic railway" to Karunda. Karunda is a small town originally used as a holiday destination in the summer by locals to escape the heat... Most people visit by train and take the cable car back down. The views looking out over the rainforest and ocean were amazing!

The second day I spent at the Great Barrier Reef and plucked up the courage to do a scuba dive. WOW what an experience... To say I was nervous was an understatement and I am so pleased I did it! Kneeling on the ocean floor looking up and around at the reef and fish was AWESOME!!!

Finally the last night in cairns meant I could do what I do best. PARTY!!!! After a trip to the bottle shop for some Bundaberg and coke a few card games everyone was ready for a big night at Gilligans!

Cairns was amazing made even better bumping into pals Chris and Tom (who were the first people I met at the start of my trip... Pretty mad thinking about it).

Role on the first test match.

Pics FYI peace and love Jack