Exploring the Wet Tropics

Within biking distance of the lodge lies a plethora of possibilities for adventure and recreation in the wet tropics. Just behind the campus, you can hack your way through dense rainforest to achieve a stunning view of the landscape below - from the uni all the way to Cairns and Yarrabah, the aboriginal land just south of the city. Or, you can explore the botanical gardens just north of Cairns, and hike to the top of Mt. Whitfield, overlooking the city and Cairns international airport. If you've got a friend with a car, you can take a 3km winding drive up the side of the tree-fern-covered mountains in the Dinden national park to arrive at a quiet cafe overlooking Lake Morris, created by the Copperlode dam. Still bored? Ride your bike to the Cattanna wetlands - eat a picnic lunch, sit in the bird hide with your binoculars and a field guide, walk on a boardwalk through the rainforest and come out wrapped in spider silk, or jog around the wetlands, watching your step for hungry crocs. Better yet, buy a $15 tent at Kmart and spend the night there, with naught but a box of cereal to eat the next morning as you watch the sun rise over the mountains. If you're not the bushwacker-type, and you'd rather collect shells or read a book on the beach, you can ride your bike or take the bus to Yorkie's beach, Trinity beach, Palm Cove, or Clifton beach. Take time to hack open a coconut - drink the milk, eat the fruit, and make a boat out of the husk. With no classes on Wednesday, Peter, Niko, and I have designated "Adventure Wednesdays" for just such explorations. Even with an entire semester to go, we'll not come near exhausting all the terrific locations within biking distance.

 Botanical Gardens  [click on any image to view full-size!]

Mt. Whitfield

Cairns from Mt. Whitfield

Camping in the wetlands

Dawn on the wetlands

Overlook on the way to Lake Morris

Lake Morris

Tree ferns in Dinden National Park

Kiteboarders off Yorkie's Beach

Yorkie's Beach

Palm Cove

Trinity Beach

Trinity Beach