Cairns & the Daintree Rainforest - Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef - page 528

The park is about 15km north of the city centre, just off the Captain Cook Hwy near the
Skyrail terminal; transfers are available (extra charge).

Mangrove Boardwalk
(Airport Avenue) Explore the swampier side of Cairns on this revelatory wander into
the wetlands. Eerie snap-crackle-slop noises provide a fitting soundtrack to the spooky
surrounds, which are signposted with informative guides to the weird lifeforms scurrying
in the mud below you. Bring mosquito repellant. It's just before the Cairns Airport.

BOARDWALK

Crystal Cascades & Lake Morris
About 14km from Cairns, the Crystal Cascades are a series of beautiful waterfalls and
(croc-free) pools. The area is accessed by a 1.2km (30-minute) pathway. Crystal Cascades
is linked to Lake Morris (the city's reservoir) by a steep rainforest walking trail (allow three
hours return); it starts near the picnic area.

WATERFALL, LAKE

Reef Teach
MAP

INTERPRETIVE CENTRE

GOOGLE MAP

( 07-4031 7794; www.reefteach.com.au ; 2nd fl, Main Street Arcade, 85 Lake St; adult/child $18/9; lectures

6.30-8.30pm Tue-Sat) Before heading out to the reef, take your knowledge to greater
depths at this excellent and informative centre, where marine experts explain how to
identify specific types of coral and fish and how to treat the reef with respect.

Centre of Contemporary Arts
(CoCA; www.centre-of-contemporary-arts-cairns.com.au ; 96 Abbott St; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat) CoCA
houses the KickArts ( www.kickarts.org.au ) galleries of local contemporary visual art, as well as
the JUTE Theatre MAP GOOGLE MAP ( www.jute.com.au ; CoCA, 96 Abbott St) and the End Credits Film
Club ( www.endcredits.org.au ) . Their wonderful gift shop is full of local artworks and jewellery.

GALLERY, THEATRE

DANGER: STINGERS & CROCS

From around late October to May, swimming in coastal waters is inadvisable due to the presence of box jellyfish,
irukandji and other marine stingers. Only swim where there is a patrolled stinger net.
Saltwater crocodiles inhabit the mangroves, estuaries and open water. Warning signs are posted around the wa-
terways where crocodiles might be present. Pay heed, as these signs are not just quirky props for your holiday
snaps: crocs are faster and cleverer than you might think!