Wombats, Koala, Crocs OH NO!

March 26
Today is a travel day.... It's off to Townsville. I have to wait for the Post Office to open because I have to mail a package back home to Nanaimo. It seems that I've overpacked AGAIN!!! So I've decided to send a few things home. This gives me a bit more room because I still have to get some souvenirs for the kids.

Apparently, I missed seeing a giant pineapple a few weeks ago. Today, I saw a giant mango (Bowen is know for it's mangos). Cairns has a monster Captain Cook. I'll try to take a pic and post in my next blog entry.

I decided to stay at the Bush Oasis right across the Billabong Sanctuary. Got settled in around 2 pm and headed across the street. I also bought a bag of seeds to feed the kangaroos. The first thing I see are 2 dingos on a leash. They were raised at the Sanctuary so they are very tame. Don't they look like dogs?

I bought a bag of seeds to feed the Kangaroos. They are so gentle when they eat and their hair feels like wire. The first one I fed had a Joey in her pouch. Just couldn't see how it could be comfortable.

Then it was feeding the Crocs. Meet Bully... he's a salt water croc, 40 m long and weighs over 700 kg and was caught by a boat ramp near Halifax (between Townsville and Cairns). He is a mean sucker....

There was no wifi connection on my wifi so I spent a quiet night reading.

March 27
I left to explore Townsville this morning..... Townsville doesn't sound like a very big city does it? I was wrong, it's a big city. There is a hill (lookout) in the middle of the city that I was hoping to get to. After an hour of trying to find it I gave up. I got so turned around that I had to stop many times to ask for directions.

I took my time driving as Babinda is only 3.5 hours away. Stopped in Cardwell for a rest and a gander of the beach. At the I Site at Cardwell, I learned that Cairns is only 60 km from Babinda. So, I've decided to drive there for the night.

Babinda is a small town just 60 km outside of Cairns. It is one of the wettest places in Australia, receiving over 4 meters of rainfall a year. The Boulders are located 7 km west of the town. A series of large smooth boulders in the river which have been worn smooth over time by the torrential tropical rains. The water is cool and very refreshing as it flows from the mountains and is deceptively dangerous.

With my Holiday Park information in hand, I drove into Cairns thinking.... Yup, I've got this!!! Not!!! I passed a few buildings numerous times. Finally, I had to stop and ask for directions. Settled into the site, went and got some groceries. Dinner and a quiet night. I'm only staying here for one night because tomorrow I am headed to Port Douglas.