CAIRNS a TROPICAL PARADISE of FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

 

CAIRNS

a

TROPICAL PARADISE

of

FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

Cairns, established in 1876 as a port for goldfields to its west, is now a cosmopolitan, second biggest city in Queensland. The area was populated by Yidinji Indigenous people and Yie-Nie, the Peace-maker was their King. Eventually a treaty between Yidinji tribe and European settlers has been signed to help Cairns develop and built a railway.

Cairns was named after a State Governor at the time Sir William Cairns.

Cairns was built on a swamp that provided indigenous people with food and floral medicine. One of the main streets is called Lake Street. Although it is named after Captain Lake the Skipper of one of the first ships arriving in Cairns, the name seems appropriate since the city was built on the wetlands.

During the WWII Cairns was a base for operations in the Pacific. Now Cairns is a gateway to Great Barrier Reef, the National Heritage Reef and many nearby islands and hosts many international visitors. The climate is tropical and the sunsets impressive.

FITZROY ISLAND FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

 

FITZROY ISLAND

FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

Fitzroy Island a short hop from Cairns, merely 15 sea miles away, is a perfect weekender. It can be reached by quick and frequent ferry service and offers excellent snorkeling, rainforest walks and Foxy's Bar and Restaurant.

The island has many walking tracks leading to remote beaches or a lighthouse.

The views are spectacular and wildlife plentiful.

Hiking all the way to the Summit can be exhausting but the view enjoyed by Captain Cook back in 1770 is stunning.

Fitzroy Island is a great spot to relax, enjoy the beaches on day trip or stay at the resort or camping ground. 

LIZARD ISLAND NORTH QUEENSLAND

 

LIZARD ISLAND

NORTH QUEENSLAND

Lizard Island was visited by Captain Cook in 1770. He found it a great spot for navigation purpose and climbed the 350 meter hill to see the reefs that need to be avoided sailing the area for the safety of his ship.

A climb to Cook's Lookout is not easy. It is a steep approach with many boulders on the way. Today the area is dry, vegetation is olive in color rather than spring green. The view is spectacular though and the effort of climbing is well rewarded by magnificent views and there is a strong possibility of sighting a lizard. Captain Cook has a close encounter with Endeavour Reef, called so after the name of his ship and the climb to the top of Lizard Island gave him a clear picture of the reefs now called Great Barrier Reef.

The history of Lizard Island is rich. The Watsons settled on Lizard Island in 1880s to run a beche-de-mer, sea slug business. Mary left alone has been attacked by local indigenous people that treated the area as a sacred site and escaped in a sea slug boiling tub to a nearby island only to die from lack of water.

Now the tragic history is almost forgotten and Lizard is a well protected anchorage. It has a popular and upmarket resort and holds fishing competitions. Lizard creates a spectacular diving and snorkeling ground in its lagoon created between Palfry and South Islands.

THURSDAY ISLAND TORRES STRAIT QUEENSLAND

 

THURSDAY ISLAND

TORRES STRAIT

QUEENSLAND

Torres Strait stretches from the tip of Cape York to Papua New Guinea. Many islands are scattered through its waterways and Thursday Island is the center of the area. These waters have been first navigated in 1606 by Louis Vaes De Torres. The development of the islands started in 1864 and the pearl trade helped the development.

Prince of Wales Island is the biggest island in the Torres Strait group. There is a multitude of smaller islands, Horn Island is a close neighbour of TI with Friday, Sunday, Goods islands close by. The color of the water is turquoise and inviting for a swim but the presence of crocodiles limits swimming to swimming pools.

Thursday Island, fondly called TI, is an amazing tropical island worth visiting.

SEISIA CAPE YORK TOP of AUSTRALIA

 

SEISIA

CAPE YORK

TOP of AUSTRALIA

Seisia is a fishing community just 40 km south of Cape York. It is a gateway to Torres Strait Islands. There is a ferry service to Thursday Island and a dirt road of red dust to Cape York. It is called red dust country.

Seisia is also a great and comfortable anchorage. The settlement started when Saibai Islanders moved their pearling luggers to the area. Now it is a booming community with nearby Bamaga. It is also a holiday destination for those that love fishing, nature and history.

A visit to Seisia ensures a relaxed holiday.

THE WESSELS & the GULF of CARPENTERIA NORTHERN TERRITORY

 

THE WESSELS

&

the GULF of CARPENTERIA

NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Wessels is a group of islands positioned roughly mid way on a passage from Darwin to Cape York, Queensland. They offer a number of anchorages for a well deserved rest. Marchinbar Island topped by Cape Wessel is the biggest of the islands and most comfortable for those that intend to cross the Gulf of Carpenteria over Cape Wessel. Further south are Guluru and Raragala islands. They are separated by a “Hole in the Wall” Gugari Rip, a narrow pass with strong currents. Being further south, it is a good crossing when Gove Harbour is the destination. However, the most convenient stop for a passage to Cape York is Marchinbar Island.

The distance of some 700 nautical miles can be covered without breaking the journey. Only the beauty of this remote part of the Northern Territory would be missed. The area is not accessible by air, there are no airports or resorts here. Just nature at its best that can be experienced by yachts sailing the region. Most amazing is peace and quiet, relaxing atmosphere.

Miles of sandy beaches with greenery of local flora, that means no coconut palms, and variety of rock formations scattered close to the water edge are typical natural scenery at the Wessels. The colors change at sunset,time to observe the beach for crocodiles. None sighted.

DARWIN NORTHERN TERRITORY AUSTRALIA

DARWIN

NORTHERN TERRITORY

AUSTRALIA

1 July 1978 was the beginning of a new era for Darwin and Northern Territory.It was a day of establishing a self rule and independence from Commonwealth Government of Australia. A big day, a proud moment that is being celebrated ever since.

The beginnings of Darwin go back to 1839 when the Beagle sailing to do a survey of Australian coastline discovered a natural port. The settlement called Palmerston since 1869 was renamed Darwin in 1911. The history is rich in pioneers' achievements and their resilience surviving bombing by the Japanese in the WWII and natural distraction caused by Cyclone Tracy in 1974.

The Government House is a grand building opened in 1871. Over the years it hosted royalty and distinguished guests. It is surrounded by magnificent gardens.

Darwin has golden sand beaches and azure Arafura Sea which, although invite for a swim, also attract dangerous crocodiles so swimming has to be restricted to swimming pools. The spectacular sunsets bring visitors to the beaches. It has warm climate and is surrounded by natural wonders like Litchfield National Park and Kakadu National Park. It also has rich indigenous culture. Darwin is a great place to visit.