Out and About

Anchored just outside Cairn’s Marlin Marina, we found out why it is locally referred to as “Skid Row” - not because of the vagrants but because of the poor holding ground. After a few days of adjusting our anchor chain & moving to different spots, with the tides/winds/currents moving boats all different directions, getting too close to neighboring boats for comfort, and being bounced around by bigger boat traffic (like the cruise ship making a 180 right next to us), it was time to ante up to a slip in the marina – and time for a good burger and beer at Hemingway’s!
We have a few extra days to see some sights we missed before…and tho we tend to shy away from over-rated tourist traps…and since we haven’t seen a crocodile in nature yet…Let’s go to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, The Best Crocodile Show in Australia! …and so glad we did!

Hartley’s is one of the oldest running tourist attractions in the Cairns area. Started in 1934 as a tea house for weary motorists, it has grown into the most incredible wildlife sanctuary of native Australian and exotic animals. 25 acres of rainforest with lagoons, boat rides and walkways, providing the most natural settings and close-up encounters with kangaroos & wallabies, koalas, bats & wombats, titis, turtles, lazy lizards, snakes & dragons, exotic birds (nesting emus, frogmouths & my new favorite: the Black-Necked Stork), and – oh, yes – crocodiles. Saltwater crocodiles were once threatened with extinction in Australia due to commercial hunting. Wild crocs have been protected since the 1970’s and their numbers have now grown to well over 100,000 adults. Hartley’s also includes a crocodile farm that breeds and raises saltwater crocodiles for their skins and meat.

So very impressed with the quality of everything, including the beautiful natural displays, cleanliness, very knowledgeable staff, animal husbandry and even the crocodile we had for lunch. Well done, Hartley’s!

We also had a great day zigzagging into the mountains, through the Barron Gorge, surrounded by the world’s oldest living tropical rainforest, to the colorful village of Kuranda, known as “The Village in the Rainforest.” Kuranda is also known for its markets which started over 50 years ago when the village was very small with many hippie artists and craftsmen trying to attract visitors. Among its many current attractions is Birdworld Kuranda, the largest aviary we’ve ever seen with over 60 species of free-flying native and exotic birds - many friendly ones happy to perch on you.

Bonzer! XOXOXOXO Gma & Gpa