TACKLEA NATURALWATERPARK
ThemanywaterfallsandswimmingpoolsofCairns’s
BehanaGorgeperhapsslipundertheradarupthis
wayowingtothatotherlittlenaturalwonderjust
offthecoast,buttoreallyingratiateyourselfinthis
ruggedlandscapeofrainforest,giantbouldersand
rapidsyou’llneedtofamiliariseyourselfwiththeart
ofcanyoning.Located 45 minutessouthofthecity
ontheslopesoftheiconicCairnsPyramidmountain,
donahelmetandharnessandwithBehanaGorge
CanyoningTouryou’llbeabletoabseildowncliffsto
accessthetopwaterfallsofthegorgebeforesliding,
jumpingandclimbingyourwaydowntherocks
andwaterfalls,withthehelpofaguideofcourse.
Swimmingintheplungepoolsandbehindroaring
cascades,you’llalsogetagoodviewofthefreshwater
lifeuphereinthecreekswithasnorkel–you’llspot
yabbies,fishand...eels.Butreallyit’saboutspending
adaydeepintherichrainforeststhatyouseeclinging
tothemountainsupthisway,jumping,swimmingand
slidingyourwaydownthroughandamongstitall.
See,it’snotjustabouttheReefinCairns.TEST YOUR METTLE ON
THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
It may be regarded as our most scenic drive,
but could it also represent our most spectacular
run? Find out for yourself by picking an
event to compete in at the Great Ocean Road
Running Festival, which takes place from
18-19 May. You can do everything from an
ultramarathon (only those with a death wish
need apply) to a walk and everything in
between (1.5, 6 and 14 kilometres, half and full
marathons), taking in stages from Kennett
River to Apollo Bay with the wild surf of the
Southern Ocean on one side and dense coastal
forest on the other. And even if you’re not into
the running side of things there’s a kite festival,
a music festival and the good ol’ 12 Apostles
themselves to have a gander at.86
87