>> PRIMORDIAL RAINFORESTS, PRISTINE BEACHES AND CORAL REEFS: THIS CORNER OF THE AUSTRALIAN CONTINENT OFFERS AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE LIKE NO PLACE ON EARTH.

NEXT UP, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA, ON "SMART TRAVELS."

>> MAJOR CORPORATE SUPPORT FOR "SMART TRAVELS WITH RUDY MAXA" IS PROVIDED BY: OVER THE YEARS, PUBLIC TELEVISION HAS SHOWN YOU THE WORLD, EDUCATED YOU ABOUT IT, AND INSPIRED YOU TO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.

EXPEDIA CAN HELP YOU GET THERE, WITH FLIGHTS, HOTELS, AND VACATION PACKAGES.

"SMART TRAVELS WITH RUDY MAXA" IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY THE PEOPLE AT EXPEDIA.

>> ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM MEDJETASSIST.COM.

MEDICAL EVACUATION MEMBERSHIP PROTECTION FOR TRAVELERS.

TAKE TRIPS, NOT CHANCES.

>> "SMART TRAVELS" IS A GRAND TOUR OF THE WORLD'S GREAT DESTINATIONS, THE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND UNIQUE LOCAL FLAVORS.

NOW, TIPS, TRIPS, AND SECRET PLACES, ON "SMART TRAVELS: PACIFIC RIM."

QUEENSLAND, THE NORTHEAST CHUNK OF AUSTRALIA, ENCOMPASSES NEARLY A QUARTER OF THE COUNTRY'S LANDMASS.

AND, OH, WHAT A LAND.

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, ONE OF THE NATURAL WONDERS OF THE WORLD, STRETCHES FOR 1,250 MILES ALONG THE COAST.

THE SUNSHINE COAST AND FRASER ISLAND PRESENT AN ALMOST UNEARTHLY TROPICAL PARADISE WITH PRISTINE BEACHES, CRYSTAL CLEAR LAKES, AND ABUNDANT WILDLIFE.

AND CLOSE TO THE TIP OF QUEENSLAND, A 135-MILLION-YEAR-OLD RAINFOREST IS HOME TO SOME OF THE RAREST PLANTS AND WILDLIFE IN THE WORLD.

A TRIP TO QUEENSLAND IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME CHANCE TO EXPLORE A NATURAL WORLD VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED FOR CENTURIES.

QUEENSLAND IS SYNONYMOUS WITH SUN, SAND AND SEA.

IT'S THE PLACE FOR EXOTIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES--FOR DIVING, SNORKELING, SAILING, SWIMMING, AND TREKKING.

FROM WILD DINGOES ON FRASER ISLAND, TO BABY CROCS IN THE RAINFOREST, WILDLIFE ABOUNDS.

CRIKEY, MATE, THIS PLACE HAS IT ALL.

QUEENSLAND IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE.

BUT ITS VAST BEAUTY IS SPICED UP WITH A LITTLE DANGER.

YOU ARE NEVER QUITE CERTAIN WHAT STRANGE ANIMAL MIGHT HOP OR SLIDE BY...

WHEN A CROC MIGHT SURFACE NEXT TO THE BOAT... OR WHERE THAT DEATH ADDER IS LURKING.

THE RAIN FORESTS REVERBERATE WITH WILD CALLS, BIRDS FLY IN A FRENZY OVER REMOTE CAYS, AND GREAT PRIMORDIAL LIZARDS SCRAMBLE THROUGH THE WOODS.

QUEENSLAND KEEPS YOU ON YOUR TOES.

OUR WHIRLWIND TOUR OF THE REGION STARTS NORTH OF BRISBANE AT THE SUNSHINE COAST AND NOOSA, INCLUDING A HOP TO MAGICAL FRASER ISLAND.

WE THEN FLY NORTH TO CAIRNS AND EXPLORE THE GREAT BARRIER REEF AND THE DAINTREE RAINFOREST.

MUCH OF THE GLORIOUS COASTLINE SOUTH AND NORTH OF BRISBANE IS WELL DEVELOPED.

THE SOUTHERN GOLD COAST RESEMBLES MIAMI, WHILE THE NORTHERN SECTION, KNOWN AS THE SUNSHINE COAST, IS WILDER, AND MORE PRISTINE.

IT'S THE NORTHERN, UNSPOILED SUNSHINE COAST WE'RE EXPLORING.

THIS IS VACATIONLAND FOR AUSTRALIANS--WITH TROPICAL WATERS, CREAMY WHITE BEACHES, AND LONELY BAYS AND COVES.

THE TRENDY TOWN OF NOOSA IS THE GEM OF THE SUNSHINE COAST.

NOOSA IS EVERYTHING A RESORT SHOULD BE--SWEET, BLUE WATER, LONG SAND BEACHES, AND LOTS OF SURFING.

NOOSA SURFING REALLY ROCKS.

FIRST POINT HAS SOME OF THE BEST WAVES.

THE NATIONAL PARK JUST AROUND THE CORNER HAS LARGE SWELLS FOR NICE LONG RIDES.

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE STUFFING YOURSELF IN THE CURL OF A WAVE AND THEN DRESSING IT UP WITH A NOSERIDE.

THINK I'VE GONE TROPPO?

OR GONE TROPICAL, AS THE AUSSIE'S SAY, WHEN THEY MEAN CRAZY?

NO, I'M NOT NUTS, AND I'M NOT GOING SURFING.

BUT I AM DELIGHTED TO WATCH WAVESENSE GIVE LESSONS HERE ON THE NOOSA BEACH.

>> 1...2, THIS IS A BIG ONE, AS I PUSH OUT THROUGH MY ARMS, I'M GONNA WHACK THIS FOOT IN BETWEEN MY HANDS, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

I'M GOING TO GO FROM HERE-- TO HERE.

AND THEN FROM THERE-- >> SWIMMING AND BODY SURFING CAUGHT THE POPULAR IMAGINATION IN AUSTRALIA IN THE EARLY 1900s.

IT WASN'T UNTIL 1914 WHEN HAWAIIAN SURFING LEGEND DUKE KAHANAMOKU VISITED AUSTRALIA, THAT THE ART OF STANDING ON A SURFBOARD REALLY TOOK OFF HERE.

WHEN THE EUROPEANS ARRIVED IN AUSTRALIA, THE FIRST THING THE ABORIGINES REPORTEDLY TOLD THEM WAS, "GO AWAY."

IT SEEMS AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE IS SAYING THE SAME THING.

FOR ALL THE CUDDY KOALAS, THERE ARE SOME NASTY, DEADLY CREATURES HERE.

FORGET ABOUT THE SHARKS, CONSIDER BOX JELLYFISH AND THEIR AGONIZING STING, SALTWATER CROCS THAT'LL BITE YOU IN HALF, AND SPIDERS THAT CAN MAKE YOUR FLESH MELT AWAY.

TO GET UP CLOSE TO SOME OF AUSTRALIA'S FAMED CREATURES, THE SAFEST BET IS A VISIT TO THE AUSTRALIA ZOO, NOT FAR FROM NOOSA.

TELEVISION PERSONALITY STEVE IRWIN RUNS THIS FAMILY-OWNED ZOO THAT'S REALLY MORE OF A WILDLIFE PARK.

THE STAFF SHOWS GREAT RESPECT AND LOVE FOR THE ANIMALS.

>> THEY'RE VERY OPPORTUNISTIC, SO...WHATEVER-- >> SO THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE THE BAD REPUTATION-- AT LEAST IN CARTOON WORLD, TASMANIAN DEVILS.

>> YEAH, THAT CARTOON ISN'T MUCH LIKE THEM AT ALL.

>> WHAT'S HARRIET'S STORY, HERE?

>> WELL, HARRIET'S ACTUALLY EXTREMELY SPECIAL TO US HERE.

>> DON'T MISS HARRIET, A 175-YEAR-OLD TURTLE THAT DARWIN BROUGHT BACK FROM THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS.

>> WHEARLES DARWIN COLLECTED HER, SHE WAS ABOUT THEE OF A DINNER PLATE.

>> NOW SHE'S THE SIZE OF A WASHING MACHINE.

>> WELL, SHE CERTAINLY IS.

>> AUSTRALIA DRIFTED AWAY FROM THE SUPERCONTINENT PANGEA ABOUT 40 MILLION YEARS AGO.

EVER SINCE, THE ANIMALS EVOLVED IN ISOLATION.

THUS SOME OF THE WORLD'S RAREST WILDLIFE THRIVES HERE TODAY.

LOOK AT THIS, IT'S ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET... AT RUDY'S KANGAROO FEED HOUSE.

THE KANGAROO HAS ROAMED THIS LAND FOR 15 MILLION YEARS.

FOSSILS SUGGEST THAT GIANT KANGAROOS SOME 10 FEET TALL ONCE EXISTED, AND MAY HAVE BECOME EXTINCT BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGES.

THE KANGAROO IS A MARSUPIAL.

AFTER BIRTH, THE TINY BABY CLIMBS UP THE MOTHER TO HER POUCH WHERE IT REMAINS UNTIL IT'S TOO BIG TO FIT.

YOU'RE SORT OF SHY BACK HERE, COME ON, COME ON, COME ON.

THE KOALA, ANOTHER AUSSIE ICON, IS ALSO A MARSUPIAL.

THEY CAN OFTEN BE SPOTTED DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, RESTING IN EUCALYPTUS TREES.

TH'RE ONLY ACTIVE ABOUT 4 HOURS OUT OF THE DAY TO CONSERVE ENERGY.

IT'S LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.

>> HE CAN SEE THE TREES BEHIND-- >> I HOPE IT'S NOT LOVE AT FIRST BITE, DO THESE BITE, BY ANY CHANCE?

>> THEY CAN-- >> THEY CAN BITE IF HE'S UNHAPPY, BUT HE LOOKS HAPPY NOW.

THEN THERE'S MY FAVORITE, THE CROC.

SALTWATER CROCODILES, OR "SALTIES," CAN GROW TO BE 22 FEET IN LENGTH AND WEIGH MORE THAN A TON--SOME LIVE TO BE 80 YEARS OLD.

THEY USUALLY FEED ON FISH AND TURTLES, BUT FOR A REAL TREAT, THEY'LL GRAB A PIG, A WALLABY, OR YOU.

SALTIES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO SNATCH PEOPLE RIGHT OFF THE BEACH.

BUT NO WORRIES, MATE, THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN 14 CROC KILLINGS IN AUSTRALIA IN THE PAST 27 YEARS.

IF YOU ARE GRABBED, THE EXPERTS ADVISE YOU NOT TO TRY TO PRY THE JAWS OPEN, BUT RATHER PLAY DEAD AND LET THE CROC STASH YOU FOR LATER.

RIGHT.

AUSTRALIA'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE RECOGNIZED THE SPECIAL BEAUTY AND ABUNDANCE OF QUEENSLAND SOME 40,000 YEARS BEFORE THE EUROPEANS ARRIVED.

NOT FAR FROM NOOSA IN THE TOWN OF EUMUNDI, THE DILLY BAG DREAMTIME PLACE IS A SHOP SELLING ART, ARTIFACTS AND DIDGERIDOOS BY ABORIGINAL DESCENDENT MICHAEL CONNOLLY.

>> YOU CREATE THE DIFFERENT SOUNDS AND THE DIFFERENT TONES ENTIRELY WITH YOUR THROAT?

>> BY YOUR THROAT, AND BY YOUR LIPS, AND YOUR TONGUE WITH INSIDE.

SO YOU GO-- [IMITATES DIDGERIDOO SOUNDS] THE EUROPEANS WHO ARRIVED IN THE LATE 1700s WERE BAFFLED BY THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE'S LACK OF PERSONAL PROPERTY, ABSENCE OF HIERARCHY IN THE TRIBE, AND THEIR NOMADIC WAY OF LIFE.

THE EUROPEANS FAILED ENTIRELY TO GRASP THE DEEP SPIRITUAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THESE PEOPLE AND THE LAND, AS WELL AS THE COMPLEXITY OF THEIR CIVILIZATION.

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE THE OLDEST CONTINUOUS LIVING CULTURE ON THE PLANET.

THE DIDGERIDOO IS THE MOST FAMOUS OF THE ABORIGINAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

A WIND INSTRUMENT TRADITIONALLY MADE FROM EUCALYPTUS TREES HOLLOWED OUT BY INSECTS, THE DIDGERIDOO PRODUCES A LOW, VIBRATING HUM.

ABORIGINES USED DIDGERIDOOS IN FORMAL CEREMONIES, RITES, AND OFTEN AT SUNSET.

NO ONE KNOWS HOW MANY, BUT HUGE NUMBERS OF ABORIGINES WERE WIPED OUT BY EUROPEAN DISEASES, OR IN CONFLICT WITH THE COLONISTS.

MILES OF WINDSWEPT BEACH, CLEAR BLUE INLAND LAKES, ENCHANTING RAINFORESTS AND MULTICOLORED SAND, FRASER ISLAND IS PRESERVED AS A WORLD HERITAGE SIGHT AND IS ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE ISLANDS ON THE PLANET.

[DRONE OF AIRPLANE] OVER THE CENTURIES, A RIVER OF SAND FLOWING FROM AS FAR AWAY AS THE SYDNEY AREA HAS DRIFTED NORTHEASTERLY TO CREATE THIS--THE LARGEST SAND ISLAND IN THE WORLD.

AND IT'S FAR FROM BARREN.

SOME OF THE OLDEST PLANTS, LARGEST FERNS, AND RAREST TREES INHABIT THIS PARADISE.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS TREES GROWING ON FRASER ISLAND, IT'S CALLED THE SATINAY.

THEY'RE FAMOUSLY, MAINLY, BECAUSE THEY DON'T GROW ANYWHERE ELSE APART FROM FRASER ISLAND, AND A LITTLE NATIONAL PARK SOUTH OF HERE CALLED COOLOOLA.

>> THE TREE IS RESISTANT TO WORMS, AND IDEAL FOR MARINE APPLICATIONS.

>> THE SUEZ CANAL AND ALSO THE LONDON DOCKS WERE BOTH CONSTRUCTED USING THESE TREES.

>> THE SANDY SOIL IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION.

SOME TREES STORE NUTRIENTS IN THEIR TRUNKS, OTHERS HAVE ABOVE GROUND ROOTS...

STILL OTHERS FEED OFF NITROGEN FROM INSECTS.

THE BEACH ROLLS ON FOR 75 MILES.

IT'S A SWEEPING BEAUTY OF A BEACH WITH PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOLITUDE.

BUT THE BEACH IS ALSO A ROAD FOR THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES THAT ARE NECESSARY HERE.

THE ROADS CAN BE VERY BUMPY-- >> OH, YEAH.

>> BUT PEOPLE RENT THEIR OWN 4-WHEEL DRIVES, IS THAT A GREAT IDEA?

>> UH, SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA, BUT YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO EXPERIENCE GETTING STUCK STRAIGHT AWAY, AND HAVING ALL SORTS OF TROUBLES, YOU KNOW, SO THEY SPEND MOST OF THEIR HOLIDAY DIGGING IN THE SAND AND SWEATING AND PUSHING, YOU KNOW.

>> OCEAN SWIMMING AT FRASER IS DANGEROUS DUE TO SWIFT CURRENTS AND SHARKS.

ALONG THE BEACH, MULTICOLORED DUNES WITH ERODED CLIFFS ENDURE THE SEA WINDS.

FORTY PERCHED LAKES DOT THE ISLAND.

THESE LAKES ARE FORMED WHEN ORGANIC MATTER, LIKE LEAVES AND BARK, BUILDS UP AND HARDENS IN BOWLS CREATED BY THE WIND.

THE STAGGERINGLY BLUE WATER IS HIGH IN ACIDITY AND LOW IN NUTRIENT LEVELS, SO IT CAN'T SUPPORT MUCH LIFE OTHER THAN ACID FROGS.

LAKE MCKENZIE WITH ITS WHITE SAND BEACHES IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, AND A SWIM HERE AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE.

HUMPBACK WHALES CRUISE THE WATERS OFF FRASER, AND DINGOES, OR WILD DOGS, TROT ALONG THE BEACH.

>> SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 150 AND 200 DINGOES ON THE ISLAND, UH, THEY SELF-REGULATE THEIR POPULATION WITH A HIERARCHICAL SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, DOMINANT MALE AND FEMALE FOR EVERY PARTICULAR AREA.

BASICALLY, PERFECTLY IN TUNE WITH THE FOOD AVAILABILITY.

>> CONTACT WITH HUMAN FOOD HAS MADE DINGOES AGGRESSIVE.

PEOPLE SHOULD KEEP THEIR DISTANCE AND NEVER FEED THE WILD DOGS.

ABORIGINES INHABITED FRASER ISLAND FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

THEY CALLED THE ISLAND K'GARI AFTER A FEMALE DEITY WHO WAS ENCHANTED INTO SAND.

TODAY'S NAMESAKE IS MRS. ELIZA FRASER, WIFE OF THE CAPTAIN OF A BRIGANTINE THAT SET SAIL FROM SYDNEY.

SHE WAS SHIPWRECKED HERE IN 1836 AND CAPTURED BY ABORIGINES.

THE CAPTAIN AND SOME OF THE CREW WERE MURDERED, BUT ELIZA SURVIVED FOR 2 MONTHS BEFORE BEING RESCUED.

SHE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT HER MISADVENTURE AND EVENTUALLY TOURED THE CARNIVAL CIRCUIT IN ENGLAND.

KINGFISHER BAY IS FRASER ISLAND'S DREAM RESORT.

ECOTOURISM IS INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT HERE AS AUSTRALIANS STRUGGLE TO BALANCE TOURISM AND PRESERVATION.

AT KINGFISHER BAY, LUXURY AND STYLE MINGLE WITH ECO FRIENDLY DESIGN, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS.

BUILT WITH LOCAL MATERIALS AND DESIGNED TO BLEND INTO THE ENVIRONMENT, THE RESORT EVEN MIMICS PRISTINE LAKE MCKENZIE WITH ITS SWIMMING POOL.

A BOARDWALK WEAVES PAST FRESHWATER PONDS TO THE WIDE BEACHES ON THE BAY SIDE OF THE ISLAND.

THE RESORT PROVIDES RANGER GUIDED TOURS OF FRASER IN A RUGGED BUS.

AS REMOTE AS IT IS, KINGFISHER SERVES UP FINE AUSTRALIAN CUISINE IN ITS RESTAURANTS.

A DRINK POOLSIDE AT DAY'S END, THE SUN SETTING OVER PLATYPUS BAY...SOME OF THE ISLAND'S JOYS ARE SIMPLY INDESCRIBABLE.

A 2-HOUR FLIGHT FROM BRISBANE, THE TOWN OF CAIRNS IS GATEWAY BOTH TO THE GREAT BARRIER REEF AND ANCIENT RAINFOREST.

WE'RE VERY NEAR THE TIP OF QUEENSLAND, THE PLACE WHERE THE ROAD ENDS AT THE EDGE OF A CONTINENT.

IT'S EASY TO GET IN THE MOOD FOR AN UNDERWATER ADVENTURE IN CAIRNS.

MANY DIFFERENT DIVING AND SNORKELING TRIPS CAN BE ARRANGED HERE.

THIS IS ONE OF THE CLOSEST SPOTS TO THE REEF--THE INNER REEF'S ONLY ABOUT 20 MILES OFF SHORE.

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF DRAWS DIVERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO EXPLORE ITS UNDERWATER UNIVERSE.

THE OUTER REEF OFFERS THE BEST SCENERY FOR DIVERS, BUT THE INNER REEF DOESN'T DISAPPOINT, AND IT'S MUCH CLOSER.

DAY TRIPS TO THE INNER REEF LIKE THIS OCEAN SPIRIT EXCURSION OFTEN CONSIST OF A DIVE OR SNORKEL, A MEAL, AND A VISIT TO AN ISLAND OR A CAY.

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, THE WORLD'S LARGEST LIVING STRUCTURE, IS COMPOSED OF 3,000 INDIVIDUAL REEFS.

IT STRETCHES FOR 1,250 MILES AND IS AS WIDE AS 168 MILES IN SOME PLACES.

IT'S SO LARGE, THE REEF CAN BE SEEN FROM THE MOON.

THE TINY CORAL POLYP CREATED THIS MASSIVE STRUCTURE.

WHEN CORAL DIES, IT LEAVES BEHIND A LIMESTONE SKELETON THAT BECOMES THE CAVES AND CHASMS WHERE THOUSANDS OF FISH AND MARINE LIFE THRIVE.

THE REEF IS ALWAYS GROWING, DYING, CHANGING.

POLLUTION IS A CONSTANT THREAT TO THE REEF'S SURVIVAL.

TO DIVE OR SNORKEL HERE IS TO ENTER ANOTHER KINGDOM WITH STRANGE SHAPES AND COLORS.

NOTHING BEATS THE THRILL OF JOINING A SCHOOL OF FISH OR STIRRING UP A MANTA RAY FROM THE OCEAN DEPTHS.

6 OF THE WORLD'S 7 SPECIES OF SEA TURTLES MAKE THE REEF THEIR HOME.

THESE RESILIENT CREATURES HAVE REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED FOR MORE THAN 100 MILLION YEARS.

SO MESMERIZING IS THE UNDERWATER EXPERIENCE HERE, THAT IT'S DIFFICULT TO RETURN TO DRY LAND.

BIRDS RULE ON MICHAELMAS CAY.

SOME 30,000 SOOTY AND BRIDLED TERNS NEST HERE, AS DO THE COMMON NOODLE AND BROWN BOOBIES.

>> THESE BOOBIES ARE A HIGH DIVING BIRD, THEY PLUNGE INTO THE WATER FROM ABOUT 20 METERS IN THE AIR, AND TO SURVIVE THE IMPACT OF HITTING THE WATER AT THAT SPEED, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE AIR SACS IN THEIR HEAD AND THEIR CHEST TO ABSORB THE IMPACT OF HITTING THE WATER THAT HARD.

>> AUGUST THROUGH DECEMBER ARE THE BEST MONTHS FOR DIVING OR SNORKELING AT THE REEF.

MOST OF THE SHARKS HERE ARE HARMLESS.

JELLYFISH ARE A HAZARD, BUT WETSUITS GREATLY REDUCE THE RISK.

IF YOU WANT TO NIBBLE ON AUSTRALIA'S EXOTIC WILDLIFE, THE RED OCHRE GRILL IN CAIRNS IS JUST THE SPOT.

AND WHAT IS THIS?

THE RESTAURANT'S NEW AUSTRALIAN CUISINE USES ABUNDANT, AND UNTIL RECENTLY, UNTAPPED, TRADITIONAL NATIVE FRUITS, BERRIES, GAME MEATS, AND SEAFOOD.

EMU, KANGAROO, AND CROC ALL MAKE IT ON THE MENU.

>> WE HAVE THE CROCODILE, OF COURSE, WHICH YOU DON'T WANT TO MEET IN THE WILD, BUT WHEN IT'S ON THE MENU IT IS ACTUALLY RATHER NICE.

UM, VERY SIMPLE RECIPE.

THE CROCODILE BASICALLY COMES ACROSS TO BE EVEN LIGHTER.

IT GETS LIGHTLY COOL FLOURED AND THEN FRIED, GETS PASSED ACROSS TO ME SO WE DRY IT LIGHTLY, INTO THE WOK-- WE HAVE SESAME SEED OIL, GARLIC, SAMBOLIC--WHICH IS THE FRESH CHILE, NATIVE PEPPER, WHICH AT 70 DEGREES ACTUALLY LOSES ALL THAT HEAT BUT RETAINS A BEAUTIFUL FLAVOR, AND ALSO SALT.

THAT GETS WOKKED OFF VERY QUICKLY, IT'S PUT ON TOP OF VIET PICKLE, WHICH IS A SALTY PICKLE, AND IT GETS SERVED WITH LEMON ASPEN SAMBAL, SO THAT'S WHERE WE INCLUDE THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH TUCKER INTO IT--THE LEMON ASPEN AND ALSO THE NATIVE PEPPER.

>> THE FINAL WONDER OF MY TRIP, AND THE MOST ANCIENT OF ALL IS THE DAINTREE RAINFOREST.

135 MILLION YEARS OLD, THIS RAINFOREST CONTAINS SPECIES THAT MANKIND HAS YET TO DISCOVER.

THIS IS ALSO MY LAST CHANCE TO GET CHOMPED BY A CROC, PARALYZED BY A SPIDER, OR STRUCK DOWN BY THE WORLD'S DEADLIEST SNAKE.

EVEN THE PLANTS GIVE YOU A START HERE WITH THEIR INGENIOUS DEFENSES.

THE WAIT-A-WHILE VINE IS COVERED WITH SMALL SPIKES THAT GRAB AND RIP AT YOUR CLOTHING OR SKIN.

>> ONCE GET HOOKED ONTO THE TREE LIKE THIS, ONTO YOUR SHIRT, YOU HAVE TO REVERSE YOURSELF BACK HERE, TO GET YOURSELF BACK UNHOOKED AND AWAY FROM THE TREE.

>> SO YOU HAVE TO WAIT A WHILE TO GET UNHOOKED.

GIANT VINES CURL THEIR WAY AROUND TRESS, STRANGLING THEM.

FAN PALMS STRETCH OUT ALONG THE PATH, AND ENORMOUS BASKET FERNS TAKE HOLD IN THE CROOK OF A TREE.

DOWN UNDER TOURS IS A SAFE, ECO-FRIENDLY WAY TO VISIT THE RAINFOREST.

GUIDES POINT OUT THE LIMITLESS FLORA AND FAUNA, OR DEMONSTRATE ABORIGINAL CURES AND RITES.

A SILENT GLIDE ALONG THE CROCODILE INFESTED DAINTREE RIVER KEEPS YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT.

[BIRDS SCREECHING] WILDLIFE ABOUNDS--LORIKEETS FEAST ON BERRIES, AND KINGFISHERS PERCH IN TREES.

SALTIES CAN OFTEN BE SEEN ALONG THE SHORE.

THE TEMPERATURE AT WHICH A CROCODILE EGG IS KEPT DETERMINES THE SEX OF THE BABY.

IF THE EGG IS KEPT AT 31.6 DEGREES CELSIUS, IT WILL BE A MALE.

ANY OTHER TEMPERATURE, AND THE BABY WILL BE A FEMALE.

IN ANY CASE, THEY HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS WHEN IT COMES TO SNAPPING OFF YOUR LEG.

SPOTTING A CROC ON THE DAINTREE IS HIT OR MISS.

FOR A SURE BET, HARTLEY'S WILDLIFE FARM NOT FAR OUTSIDE OF CAIRNS WILL SATISFY ALL YOUR NEEDS FOR LURKING SALTIES AND SNAPPING JAWS.

>> GOOD GRIEF.

>> THE DAINTREE RAINFOREST RUNS RIGHT DOWN TO THE OCEAN AND CULMINATES IN GLORIOUS CAPE TRIBULATION.

THE BEACH WAS NAMED BY CAPTAIN JAMES COOK IN 1770 WHEN HIS SHIP, THE ENDEAVOR, RAN AGROUND HERE AFTER STRIKING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF.

AS PLACES TO BE SHIPWRECKED GO, THIS ONE'S RIGHT UP THERE.

FROM THE UNDERWATER WORLD OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, TO SAND SWEPT FRASER ISLAND, QUEENSLAND'S WONDERS ARE EMBLAZONED IN MY MIND.

IN THIS ANCIENT, LUSH LAND, HUMAN LIFE IS BUT A BLIP IN TIME.

EXOTIC CREATURES AND FLORA, VAST VISTAS AND PRISTINE BEACHES ALL COMBINE TO MAKE THIS GREAT CHUNK OF A CONTINENT A DREAM DESTINATION.

I'VE GONE TOTALLY TROPPO IN PARADISE.

FUNNEL SPIDERS AND CROCS BE HANGED, NOTHING CAN KEEP ME AWAY FROM QUEENSLAND.

FROM THIS PACIFIC RIM WONDERLAND, I'M RUDY MAXA.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

>> TO ORDER THE 2 EPISODE DVD OR VHS ON SYDNEY AND QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA, OR ANY OTHER "SMART TRAVELS" DESTINATIONS, PLEASE VISIT US ONLINE AT SMARTTRAVELS.TV, OR CALL 800-866-7425.

DVDs AND VIDEOS ARE $24.95 EACH PLUS SHIPPING.

EACH DVD INCLUDES MORE THAN AN HOUR OF EXCLUSIVE BONUS CLIPS AND RUDY'S TRAVEL TIPS.

ORDER AT THIS TOLL-FREE NUMBER, OR ONLINE.

>> MAJOR CORPORATE SUPPORT FOR "SMART TRAVELS WITH RUDY MAXA" IS PROVIDED BY: OVER THE YEARS, PUBLIC TELEVISION HAS SHOWN YOU THE WORLD, EDUCATED YOU ABOUT IT, AND INSPIRED YOU TO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.

EXPEDIA CAN HELP YOU GET THERE, WITH FLIGHTS, HOTELS, AND VACATION PACKAGES.

"SMART TRAVELS WITH RUDY MAXA" IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY THE PEOPLE AT EXPEDIA.

>> ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM MEDJETASSIST.COM.

MEDICAL EVACUATION MEMBERSHIP PROTECTION FOR TRAVELERS.

TAKE TRIPS, NOT CHANCES.