Australia: Croc and roll

The inmates at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures appreciate a bit of easy meat. Photo / Supplied

As I flew into Cairns I knew the trip was going to be a good one.

From the plane I could already see the tropical brilliance of Far North Queensland: the palm trees, ocean and vast blue skies.

I stepped out of Cairns International Airport into a sunny 32C and headed into the city for a look around.

Cairns was established as a mining town but its port has also been a major exporting point for agricultural products, sugar cane and gold.

These days it's the tourists who bring in the most money, and the city's vibrant atmosphere, especially on the waterfront, reflects that.

Cairns' famous Esplanade attracts strolling tourists, joggers, skateboarders, office workers and swimmers, taking advantage of a man-made lagoon surrounded by white sand.

I checked into the Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club and spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool before testing the menu at 59, the onsite restaurant.

The next day started at 4.30am, when I was driven over the Kuranda Range Rd to the famous Tablelands for a hot air balloon ride. Once we left the ground, just after dawn, any nerves were allayed. To say the view was breathtaking is an understatement. After a smooth landing we helped to fold and pack the balloon into its bag and were whisked off for a champagne "Aussie" breakfast in an outback hut. Bubbles, bacon and eggs at 8.30am - I had no problem with that.

Next stop was the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. It's touted as "the world's most beautiful rainforest experience" and didn't fail to deliver. I travelled through the sky enjoying panoramic views of Barron Gorge National Park and taking in the sheer enormity of the environment. Skyrail stops in Kuranda, "the village in the rainforest". Kuranda boasts art galleries, wildlife attractions and markets - where I could have spent hours dallying over the array of goods.

The return trip was on the 100-year-old Kuranda Scenic Railway, which snaked down through the Barron Gorge and came with a comprehensive history lesson on the area.

Day three: Cruise day. Sunlover Cruises' Tropic Sunbird took about an hour to reach Moore Reef, where we spent just over four hours.

I climbed into the belly of a semi-submersible boat and was introduced to the reef in spectacular fashion. We glided about a metre above it and had fantastic views of the sea life. The glass-bottom boat and viewing window beneath the pontoon also offered beautiful views. But to really appreciate this underwater world, it is essential to don a snorkel and mask.