Awesome! We get off the plane and it’s blue skies and a gorgeous 28 degrees……There was  a slight delay as our transfer was also picking up others that their flight had been delayed half a an hour or so, so we sat and enjoyed the sunshine. When we got to our apartments I was expecting a two bedroom and it was a three, fantastic. The MItchems and the Jacksons were poolside awaiting our arrival. I didn’t sit down , I got changed and unpacked everyones clothes so I could then sit and enjoy the cocktail Kate had promised me……mmmm it was good too. Clifton Palms is where we stayed, and perfect for us with 3 families. We went for across the road and checked out Clifton beach, WOW! it was more beautiful than I had imagined, took the opportunity to take some sunset photos…….and sunrise, just beautiful.

  

The first full day we decided to go up to Kuranda by skyrail and back down via the Scenic railway, it was a great day. The skyrail was amazing, we went up and over the rainforest, it was built not by having road acess but , they brought everything in by helicopter. We had two stops on the way up one at Red Peak and one at Barron Falls.

When we got to Kuranda, we just wondered around the shops and had lunch until 3pm, then went to railway station and left from there.On the way back we were pretty tired, early start and still unwinding.

The next day was a quiet day, went across to the beach in the morning and we were only going for a walk but the kids ended up going in to the water and played around so we stayed until lunchtime.

 

We loved getting up and walking on the beach,at sunrise, two mornings we saw dolphins in the sea.Lovely way to start the day.

 

The next day we went into Cairns itself and had a look around, we went to this water playground called Muddies and had lunch there.Then we went on and explored the lagoon area,really well done.

 

The next day we took the ferry across to Green Island, it was a little choppy on the way over and back ,and a few of the kids were a bit sea sick. It was well worth the ride out there. we had a fantastic day. The kids thoroughly enjoyed snorkling , next time we would probably go more on the outer reef.

 

we had a quiet day the next day, bit of beach cricket and of course they end up in the water….

We hired cars for a few days and went for a drive up to Port Douglas and to the Mossman Gorge, both very beautiful places and the drive from Palm Cove to Port Douglas must be one of the most beautiful drives in Australia.

the girls and I in Jay Jays dressing up….girls will be girls…

We went to the Hartleys Crocodile farm via Palm Cove Jetty.

Jack was selected out of the audience to help with the snake demonstration….

  

This very game zoo keeper showed us the death roll and get extremely close to this croc!

Good Bye Clifton Palms and to Cairns and the Northern Beaches.We will be back!