A laidback coastal paradise, and the ultimate gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, lies along the northern shores of Australia – Cairns. ​If you’re visiting with friends, an AirBNB is the way to go. From the balcony of mine, I enjoyed views of palm-lined esplanades and cruises setting out into deep sea.

 

My onshore adventure began with a trip to the Daintree Rainforest, the largest one here in Australia. A trek along the elevated boardwalk gave me the opportunity to explore the forest’s diverse flora and fauna. The tropical immersion continued with the Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Scenic Railway. The train winds through lush canopy, offering glimpses of cascading waterfalls and gorges as the mist settles. Kuranda Village, the journey’s final stop, comes alive with its heritage markets brimming with handcrafted textiles and jewellery by local artisans.

This is all just on land, the real magic lies offshore. I set out on a cruise to explore the ecological treasure that also tops the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Australia. As I ventured deeper into ocean, I noticed its hue gradually shifting from cobalt to sapphire - only heightening my excitement to dive in and snorkel along the reef. The snorkelling experience was incomparable to any other place – A plethora of vividly coloured corals came together to form this treasure- it’s also the only location I saw clown fish. After a full day of ocean adventure, exhaustion caught up with me, and I ate a whole plate of seafood pasta for dinner. My appetite after swimming never fails to surprise me. The calm ocean breeze at night further helped with a peaceful sleep.

My adventure culminated in a day trip to the beautiful Green Island, just 27 km off the shore of Cairns, where I enjoyed more snorkelling along the island’s beach. I am a water baby, after all.
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