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The day we left the rainforest, we were treated to several amazing experiences on the way to Cairns, where we would catch our flight the next day to the Outback.
At the small town of Mareeba, we went to visit a family of Grey Kangaroos (called a "mob") that thrive on the local golf course. The Roos lazed in the grass, apparently unfazed by our presence, casually hopping away if we came too close. Baby Joeys peeked from their mother's pouch. We had studied the habits and life cycles of the Kangaroos, so getting so close to wild ones was a treat.
We stopped to see giant strangler fig trees, called Curtain Figs — the host trees had been gradually taken over by the Fig that had attached itself to the top of the tree years before.
Our lake cruise on Lake Barrine (volcanic lake filled with rain water) allowed us to see Amethyst Pythons, giant Eels, and turtles. Leeches also inhabit this lake. Needless to say, no one asked to go swimming.
On this day, we watched the landscape change from tropical rainforest to "the bush," becoming dryer and featuring different vegetation. The landscape would change even more dramatically the next day, when we flew to Ayers Rock (or Uluru in the Aboriginal language.)
— Dr. Lynn Morton | 
