The younger members of our travels headed to the outer reef for the day.

Walsh’s Pyramid and Bellenden Kerr Range from Trinity Inlet.

Michaelmas Cay is a permanent sand cay with some vegetation above storm surge level. It is a vital bird breeding habitat and most is restricted for visitor access.

Three species of tern were present.

The Seastar anchored off Michaelmas Cay.

Snorkelling from the Seastar.

Sooty terns and chicks.

Noddy tern chick.

Boobies on Michaelmas Cay.

Booby.

Michaelmas Cay

Hastings Reef on the Great Barrier Reef.

Giant clam from a glass bottomed boat.

The Cairns Botanical gardens boasts one of the finest tropical gardens in the world.

A huge variety of tropical palms are on show in amazing shapes.

Cool walkways and rainforests are numerous.

Panama flame tree fruiting on the trunk and a pitcher plant (carnivorous).

Water lilies of different species add colour to the pools and ponds.

Sealing wax palm tree trunks.

A observatory filled with  a huge variety of orchids and tropical plants includes several species of butterflies.

The fish sculptures at the Esplanade Lagoon in Cairns.

Sunset over Trinity Bay from the Marina.

The dome of the Cairns Casino. There is a zip line across an indoor pool with a real 4 metre crocodile below the zip line. We passed on this one – nearly as tempting as the Croc Spotting from a Jetski tour.