Cairns & The Great Barrier Reef

After Darwin, we flew into Cairns. 

Upon arrival in Cairns, we were promptly separated into two different dorm rooms. Charlotte, as ever, got the nice, spacious, modern one and I was placed in a 4 person jail cell!

We then set out exploring Cairns, which was significantly larger than Darwin, a little less warm (25 degrees consistently), and a little wetter. We enjoyed Cairns, it was modern, with a lot to see and even more to do.

Much like Darwin, swimming in the sea isn't advisable, so they have a large swimming lagoon:

Oh and I also watched some surfing, and this famous shark incident happened:

The real reason for coming to Cairns, however, as with everyone, was the Great Barrier Reef. As biologists and general animal lovers, we were incredibly excited about the barrier reef. It's something everyone dreams of seeing and doing, and it didn't disappoint.

We chose a day trip to a floating pontoon which offered snorkelling on a large part of the reef, as well as a free dive for YHA members (us) so Charlotte could experience scuba diving cost-free, and a submarine and glass bottomed boat. It. Was. Awesome:

We also became BFF's with a hump headed Maori wrasse, which we got an incredible selfie with.