Cairns Warnings Or Dangers

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There are man eating crocodiles about this region...We saw them.....We have read about them...People swimming or camping in crocodile country have been taken and devoured...fair game I reckon!...Yet not far from a large warning sign there were people actually swimming. You would not believe it.

We were told not to even put our elbows over the side of the boat when we were on the Daintree River. And still they had to be reminded a number of times. They were told not to move about the boat and cause an imbalance which could tip us into the murky water...but up they got. And had to be told to sit down.

And if one of these fools is eaten there is a hue and cry to kill the croc!

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I am not a person who makes everybody frightened about the dangerous Australian animals, but it is just a fact that you need to be aware of crocodiles and stingers (box jellyfish) in Far North Queensland.
That means: If you are near water (lakes, creeks, mangroves, mudflats etc.) - keep away from it! Do not camp near it, do not cook, wash dishes or clothes here, do not go near it.
Stinger season is from November to May/June - do not swim in the ocean during this time, only within special stinger nets that are provided on some beaches. If you snorkel or dive, wear a special suit.

There are warning signs in a lot of places, but not always, so you really need to think for yourself.

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When travelling in any of these northern tropical areas now I always carry a good and reliable Mosquito and Insect repellant to cope with all the "bities"..Now that Dengue fever has been detected in Northern Australia I also carry it here...this is very important as Dengue Fever can be very dangerous if not fatal..I also carry a small day backpack with some other items that I feel are necessities when out and about.
I ALWAYS have a Reliable Mosquito and Insect repellant.
FOR THE WEATHER: A windjacket. a hat,sunglasses good shoes/boots,a compact wet weather poncho..%c
TOILETRIES: a small pack of wetwipes,a packet of tissues (in case the roll is empty) a tube of sunburn cream.a tube of moisturiser,and a tube of lip balm
CAMERA GEAR:I carry a charger for my digital camera batteries and an international powerpoint converter also a spare digital camera card
CARRY: A reliable self charging torch

If you are going snorkeling on the reef, MAKE SURE you apply sunscreen regularly to the backs of your legs, arms, and back. Many people don't realize the importance of this, but if you are lying with your back towards the very strong sun for a long time, you could get a bad sunburn. I have been victim to this before, so bad that I couldn't stand for two days! Better to be safe than sorry, and not be in pain for the rest of your vacation.

Be careful when walking anywhere in Cairns and around the tropics.

Please wear a hat, put on insect repellent and take drinking water with you.

A lot of tourists walk around without protection and end up with dehydration and or heat exhaustion .

Remember even if it is overcast it can be extremely humid and hot.

Driving anywhere in Australia you will come across the road to nowhere! .... big long stretch of road with nothing on either side. This is when you can become very tired, especially when driving more than 6 hours on an open road with no stops.

This is where Driver Revivor comes in. A great Federally funded idea whereby at various 'tired spots' on the highway, a free coffee rest house appears.

Please take advantage of the Driver Revivor resthouses for a free tea/coffee and renewal of energy to continue your journey. tropicrd and I pulled into the one at Innisvale for a quick pit stop before continuing our journey home to Cairns.

Havn't seen one of these signs since Darwin! Beware of the crocs!

Yes, apart from those horrid jelly fish stingers, Cairns has crocs!! .... But I'd rather swim in that nice free pool than the beach in Cairns anyway!! :o)

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There are many warnings about crocodiles,stingers,stinging plants etc,but this is a warning about green ants nests.
These nests are are found in trees in forests and also in suburban gardens where the ants build nests on leaves --be very careful because if you disturb them they will attack,many people have been badly stung and have had to have medical treatment--their bites are very painful although not poisonous--it can be serious for some people if bitten by hundreds of these ants and if you suffer with a lung condition or allegies.