Vacation at Cape Tribulation

A dream vacation in the tropics could be a hike through a lush rain forest or a snorkeling excursion amongst a vast coral reef, teeming with colourful fish; however, for those looking for the ultimate tropical vacation, try finding a location that would include both experiences. That’s exactly what you get at Cape Tribulation, a small village sandwiched between the combined beauty of not one, but two World Heritage Sites, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
To make the most of your trip, you can find lodgings at the nearby town of Port Douglas; holiday accommodation here ranges from a number of small inns and resorts to hotel apartments like the Oaks Lagoons. From there you can drive north to the only cable ferry in eastern Australia, the Daintree Ferry, which takes you straight to the Daintree Rainforest.
Located on the north side of the Daintree River is a sealed road that leads to Cape Tribulation. The road weaves through the thick Rainforest covered Alexandra Range, a spectacular area where the air is clean and scented with heady aromas wafting from the lush foliage around you. There are a few dramatic lookout points on the way and then finally, the greenery gives way to tropical beaches.
Cape Tribulation has plenty of excursions on offer such as bush walking, diving and snorkelling, kayaking, river cruises and even zip lining through the canopy. Explore the rugged landscape with 4WD safaris and then make your way to the pristine beaches and take in the beautiful reef just below the turquoise waters. There are several different tours for Cape Tribulation that leave Port Douglas on a daily basis, so you have your pick of fun activities to try. No holiday to Queensland is complete without paying a visit to the tropical paradise.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Explore the Great Barrier Reef; the 25 million year old gentle giant

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Img.Credit:[Szopen]
The Great Barrier Reef is the known largest living reef habitat in the world. It is made up more than 2900 separate reefs and well above 900 islands. These islands span for more than 2600 kilometres or 1600 miles in size. The area that the reef covers can be estimated as above roughly 344,400 square kilometres. This beautiful aquatic landscape is without a doubt the most exquisitely diversified ecosystem on the planet. The Great Barrier Reef that is aged at over 25 million of years is a beautiful home to more than 600 different species of aquatic organisms. In this there has been estimated to be, more than 1500 different varieties of fish, over 4000 types of molluscs and more than 360 different varieties of corals.
Once you go underwater you will be stunned by the brilliance of the colour differentiation that exists as well as the various textures and shapes. The hundreds upon hundreds of fish that live in the eco-system create complicated yet incredibly simple patterns with their graceful movements as they swim around the place that they call home. The many silent dwellers of the Great Barrier Reef include sea cucumbers, turtles, giant clams, starfish, snails, shells, anemones, eels, sponges, rays and much more.
Port Douglas is the nearest city and the leaving point to the reef and each day over 12 tours leave the port. It is a complete diving and snorkeling haven and the nature of the area is such that even a beginner could enjoy a fun and safe snorkeling session. There are many Port Douglas hotels such as the Oaks Lagoons among multiple others that cater to the accommodation requirements of the many travellers that travel to the area from across the globe in seek of a glimpse of this age old gentle giant.

The Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef, Img. Credit:[Melanie Rogers]
Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+