18. TOURISM. NORTHERN GREAT BARRIER REEF

Marlin still made from 16mm film frame (exposed at 64 fps).

The beginning of a tourist boom for Cairns and the GBR when Black Marlin were discovered spawning.

"Pixie Pinnacle" is offshore from Cooktown.  It may not look this populated today.

 Big game fishing helped put Cairns on the international tourist map.

Touching coral is not allowed to be shown in official tourism pictures.  Easy to understand why. Plus the fact that coral is sharp and covered thinly in slime.  A cut caused by coral can be difficult and slow to heal.

More pictures from this day will be included later.  It was a day in June when the low tide was at the lowest point for the entire year.  We swam into the shallows and found magnificent coral formations.

My model was an American airline worker from Texas.  I did a special roll of 35mm stills for her own use.

Againcourt Reef is 30 minutes north from Port Douglas, aboard the huge and fast Quicksilver boats. A simple and efficient method and (five stars as well) of visitors "seeing the reef", providing the weather is suitable.   Wind strength being the key.  Less than a predicted 15 knots is best.

Small Barramundi

Barramundi seeking Ben Cropp speared both these fish in Princess Charlotte Bay, Cape York.

Almost a private Island.

The tip of Cape York can be disappointing - there an island offshore that is obviously 'further north'.

Departing Port Douglas for a reef trip.