Warning Cassowary!

Our next major stop was Cairns, the 'Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef'. On the way there, we wanted to visit the Daintree National Park, the only piece of genuine rainforest in Australia. Here are some facts from Wikipedia: :-)

'Only 0.01 percent of the Australian land area is home to over 30 percent of all mammal species, 65 percent of Australian bat and butterfly species, and 20 percent of bird species. From the tall coastal trees with their lianas, the riverside mangrove forests to the small-leaved vegetation of the mountains, 13 different rainforest types can be distinguished. 70 animal and 700 plant species are endemic to this area.'

We took the ferry across the Daintree River into the national park.

Already at the entrance we saw the first warning sign:

Caution, cassowary!

We kept our eyes open all day for these super bizarre flightless birds, which only live in this region of Australia, apart from New Guinea, and there are only about 1000 left. Unfortunately, we didn't see any cassowaries!

In the park, we took a hike through the jungle. A beautiful place on earth! After two hours, however, we were completely sweaty and looked like pigs due to the high humidity and our nonexistent fitness. But it was definitely worth it!

Before continuing to Cairns, we drove back to Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef meet. The name is derived from the fact that James Cook on his first voyage to the South Seas ran aground there with his ship and almost got lost. It was only after a month of repair work that he was able to continue his journey.

Here we could admire mangrove forests and (like everywhere in Australia) incredibly beautiful beaches. And of course, a flood of tourists! And we were right in the middle of it! :-)