Finally some blue skies that might last the day. That will be essential later in the day as we will be going White Water Rafting.
Today gave us a chance to have a sleep-in, for the activity for the day was not until after lunch and pick-up point was at the front door of the caravan park – how convenient (may have been planned that way).
Once everyone was up and ready, it was time for some retail therapy for Jenny and Rachael but only a small amount for we headed into Cairns to check out the beaches.
Coming from South Australia with our pristine white beaches, the tidal flat beaches of Cairns didn’t impress. I guess the climate has the appeal more than the beaches here.
Right on time the bus arrived from Raging Thunder to takes us up to the outlet of the Barron Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station. Driving up the gorge there seemed to be more rocks than water. It seems that the power station lets out water at a certain time of day which coincides with the white water rafting. I am sure there is some sort of contractual thing with the various rafting companies.
Our group had 3 rafts. Ours with the three of us and a family group of 3 from Dallas Texas, a second one with 6 Chinese and a multi cultural raft to make up the three. We were accompanied by three kayaks as rescuers but as the rapids were class 2 or 3 (probably closer to 2), they would have a quiet day.
Even though the rapids were not the more exciting 4’s and 5’s we have done in New Zealand it was still a fun afternoon. Of course have way down you have the get out and swim for a bit. Its was certainly welcome as the sun had stayed out all afternoon so we were getting warm. Just as we got back into the raft there was a large python floating in the water (luckily it was dead).
We finished the rapids section and made it into the Lake Placid, when our guide Paul mentioned that we should check out the banks and rocks to see if the resident crocodiles are about. Initially I thought this was a to scare the tourists but it soon came apparent that there were crocs present when around the corner was a crocodile trap. This lake used to be used for all types of recreational activities but has not for the last 12 months or so due to crocs being present.
It is just brave white water rafters that use the lake to get from the rapids of Barron River. We all made it through and don’t have any bite marks.
Tomorrow it is time to move on and for Rachael to return to the cold of Blackwood.
