1988
was the bicentenary of the arrival of
the First Fleet in Sydney Harbour in 1788
and the founding of the city of Sydney
and the colony of New South Wales.
In
October 1988 six of us joined up with a group of six other
divers from a club in Daventry and travelled to Queensland
in North Australia for the club's first trip to the Great
Barrier Reef.
We flew into Cairns which is known as the gateway to the Great
Barrier Reef. After a few days at the Tradewinds Sun Lodge
we went on a white water rafting trip through the rainforest
for a couple of days with Raging Thunder sleeping out overnight
in the jungle.
We then transferred to Townsville where we boarded the MV
Hero and set off for the Great Barrier Reef. We travelled
to the outer reef and then on to Flinders Reef in the Coral
Sea. On the return we stopped to dive the wreck of the SS
Yongala - a superb dive!
We then returned to Cairns for a couple more days before leaving
Australia for a four night stop-over in Singapore. While in
Singapore we stayed at the famous "Raffles Hotel".
A truly memorable experience.
Cairns - Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef
A Queensland Tea Plantation and Rainforest behind
The Sun Lodge Swimming Pool & Bar
At the Tradewinds Sun Lodge
Viv Griffiths
Phil the Flute
Peter in the pool
Ginger
Flying over the rainforest in a chopper
Shooting the Rapids
The North Johnstone River
MV Hero in Townsville Harbour
Flying the colours
At the Great Barrier Reef
Team Ambre Solaire
The Skipper - Danny Barker
Dave Wilson - The Dive GuideSteve Jones jumping in
In
October 1988 six of us joined up with a group of six other
divers from a club in Daventry and travelled to Queensland
in North Australia for the club's first trip to the Great
Barrier Reef.
The
Reef Top
Shoni
and Ginger snorkelling
