Travelogue: In the land of Koalas, Kangaroos & Crocs

This time when the travel bug bit me again, it did so at the most appropriate time and pointed in the right direction – to Queensland, Australia. The weather was appropriate, neither cold nor warm adding to that was the temptation of the recently introduced direct flights from Singapore to Cairns. I couldn’t have asked for more. I quickly grabbed my bags and headed to the land of kangaroos. Result was my Australia visit was packed with electrifying adventures and fascinating experiences, constantly giving me an adrenaline rush.

For the best of Australian tropical adventure, north Queensland is the place to go. Cairns is a city known for its relaxed ambience and tropical climate. It is easy to leap from Cairns into the World Heritage wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. It is the oldest surviving tropical rainforests on earth. Home to the largest number of plant and animal species in the country this city has cool, lush greenery, trickling streams and mysterious wildlife.

Cairns pulses with energy and bustling tourists. A scenic 30-minute-drive northwest of Cairns brings you to Kuranda, which is aboriginal for “village in the rain forest”. Over the years, Kuranda has taken on the distinctive character as a popular destination in its own right. Visitors may reach this place via the Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or the Kuranda Range road. The village has attracted many artists for their unique art and crafts which may be found at the heritage markets or village shops. There are also a number of other attractions such as Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Bird World and Kuranda Natural Park. Skyrail’s glass floor Diamond View Gondolas provide guests with panoramic views of the tropical landscape, coral sea and rainforest canopy. It also offers the unique perspective of looking straight down from the tree-tops to the forest floor below.

To go on a hot air balloon ride I travelled at an ungodly 4 am from Cairns to Atherton Tablelands. I also had to endure a 90-minute stomach churning journey on winding, hilly roads with hairpin bends. But all that was worth it once I flew over the spectacular Tablelands with a view of 360 degrees. Watching a gentle sunrise in the calm of the morning was one of the most exhilarating experiences I have ever had.

About 20 minutes north of Cairns is the award-winning Cairns Tropical Zoo. Here, visitors get to cuddle a koala, a large python or a baby crocodile (the choice is yours)! It is a great place to get close to animals. I hand-fed a huge Cassowary bird that looked pretty and was totally harmless. There were many crocodiles lounging around, but I preferred to see them only from a distance for obvious reasons! Then I met Henry, (a cockatoo) who is 41, and his girlfriend Nancy who is 43. The loving couple has been together for many years. Cockatoos are said to be monogamous. When you say "Dance Henry", he dances. He even says “hi” to visitors. Nancy sweetly calls him "Henry!" over and over, especially during the feeding time when they are in the company of other cockatoos (especially females) just to keep him in check.

Fi- Fi Fluffy Fluffington is an 18-month-old hand-raised baby kangaroo. The baby is rather too expressive toward her adopted mother and Madeline, her keeper. Madeline takes all of Fi-Fi's kisses with pride, patience and lots of energy, for it takes much strength to bear the weight of a kangaroo when it hugs.

The Great Barrier Reef was a memorable experience for me. I took a tour with the “Great Adventures”, which lasted a whole day. I went in their “Semi-Submersible” to see the coral reefs. Inside this vessel, you can see the underwater life go over all the reefs and can almost touch them (although thick glass prevents you from doing so), all the while sitting in the comfort of the Semi-Submersible. Later, I joined the guided snorkeling in the Pacific, where I saw the most exotic marine life from close quarters, almost touching them. Then I took a helicopter ride for an aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef, which is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Need I say that it was mind blowing?

Vijaya Pratap