Zoe Bay

What a magical day! Daph had booked a charter to Hinchinbrook Island, the largest World Heritage National Park in Australia, and the largest island in the Great Barrier Reef. Visitor numbers to the island are restricted to forty at a time, to protect the biodiversity of the island.

Ern started with trepidation, as Ern does. He was concerned about getting lost, getting stranded, and getting eaten by crocodiles. Daph packed a bigger than necessary picnic lunch and her swimsuit and, as usual, worried about nothing. Yin and Yang. Perfect balance.

After a spectacular boat trip out to the island, where we were treated to a display of endangered snub-nosed dolphins playing, we were dropped off at Zoe Bay. From there we began the bushwalk up to Zoe Falls. The climb was treacherous, to say the least. Luckily, Ern had appropriate footwear this time.

Daph: “Surely it can’t be this way?”

Ern: “There’s an arrow pointing up there.”

Ern points out a sign on the other side of the raging river, and a rope to hang on to in case you slip on the mossy rocks. Daph struggles up the rocky terrain, needing both hands to steady her, Jurassic flies buzzing around her ears...

Daph: “These bloody flies! They’re massive! They are just waiting for me to die so they can lay eggs in me.”

It was a fun adventure, crossing rivers and climbing up rock faces, aided by rope ladders... and the final destination was more than worth the attacks by Jurassic insects. Zoe Falls is out of this world!

We stopped for a beef and pickle sandwich and dangled our sore feet in the cool waters before heading back down to the magical swimming hole at the bottom of the waterfalls. The water was refreshingly welcome, shared with a thousand fishes, and crystal clear to the bottom. Daph was in awe of nature’s wonders and her heart sang with gratitude as she got pummelled by the waterfall named just for Zoe.

So special.