Up and check out of the Air BnB to grab an Uber

We’ve got to go a little out of Cairns to Awesome Campers pick up depot – we’re embarking on a new adventure ????

Lots of paperwork to read and sign before we’re given the keys to our new hotel on wheels

First stop is Strait on the Beach to have a couple coffees and some lunch

The beach just by here is closed off sadly ????

We get back in the rust bucket and head North – lots of roadworks on along Captain Cook Highway until we make it to Wangetti

Here, they have Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures which is a little wildlife sanctuary and farm

We arrive just in time for the world famous “Crocodile Attack Show” where one of the keepers ignites the Croc to portray his animal instincts and behaviours

The keeper guides us through lots of info about the Croc he’s working with, named Kamikaze, and the species:

• 9 million years of evolution for Salt Water Crocodiles – actually live in fresh water and prefer it
• They feed on land-based prey by hiding in the murky water to ambush right near the shore – take advantage of prey wanted to drink fresh water
• Kamikaze and is a 3.6m male – he was caught in the Barron River in 2016 as he was harassing fishermen and actively approaching them as they were discarding fish and made a positive food relationship for the Croc
• Males average 4.5 – 5m and can even get to 6 m (biggest ever is 6.7m)
• Fresh water crocs have no recorded fatalities
• Typical attacks are using the “minimal exposure” tactic: they show the least amount of himself possible so they are less likely to be spotted and look smaller than they actually are – use their special skill of breathing with lungs to make sure main body doesn’t rise to surface
• 260 degrees of vision with 30 degrees that overlap – incredible depth perception
• They have elliptical pupils to restrict daylight but open up at night so excellent night vision – primarily nocturnal
• Hearing and smell aren’t too bad either and they doesn’t need to see you to hunt you – they sense with vibrations to establish where you are with pretty pristine accuracy
• In water, speeds of 25kpm+ have been recorded (humans average about 3kph)

He gets Kamikaze to show off his moves with a death roll and a head shake – you don’t want to be on the wrong side of these animals!

We rush off as we have a boat trip around their man-made swamp lagoon

Lots of Crocs on this expedition – couple of blind ones, a few nests being guarded and even feisty one knicked the entire chicken from the dangle rod

This is on for 25 minutes and then we dash to another talk – this one about the three Cassowaries they have

We hear about their personalities, habits and where they came from as well as even getting a chance to feed them!

Around the corner, they have a little Predator Aviary with a handful of birds, including Kookaburras, a Baza, various owls and some Tawny Frogmouths

One of them includes a Swamp Hen that requires signage for it’s odd behaviour ????

Last talk of the day is with some Koalas where the lady is holding one – this is the only state where you’re legally allowed to hold a Koala

She allows us to give it’s butt a pat too!

To the camper, we get to out on the road

Just round the corner is a little viewpoint, Rex Lookout

Next, we get to our place to stay tonight: Tropic Breeze is a caravan park where we’ve got a powered site for the night

We get organised with setting up our digs – some bits are broken and some bits are just not working ???? – then head out to Port Douglas centre for some supplies and food

The Court House Hotel has us for a couple of fish main courses – one fish tacos and one fish burger

After, we go to Coles for bits and bobs and then make our way back to camp to get ready for bed

The air temperature tonight is already 28° but in the car it’s got to be at least another 5-10°… we’re being cooked alive ????

Trying for several hours to get some kip, dripping in sweat and running out of air, we cave, sit outside and find somewhere local that will have us so late: Oaks Port Douglas Resort isn’t too dear so we pop over in the car and get settled

Time to actually sleep!