Deciding to get it away from it all sounds easy enough. In reality, choosing a date that suits you / your partner / work can be tough, and that'a before you research and book flights, find and settle on the right accommodation and then check out which activities you should/shouldn't do whilst you're away. (Less is more as far as I'm concerned. Life in the city is hectic. Take time to get away from it and RELAX.)

May I suggest a one-stop shop of a weekend? I've done the research for you, and this baby is good to go. The area comes recommended by everyone's favourite animal guy, David Attenborough; and if it's good enough for David, it's good enough for me.

Take a flight to Cairns, and a short 45 minute shuttle after that, you'll find yourself in the oh-so-tranquil, pretty as a picture town of Port Douglas in Northern QLD.

The weather in PD is TROPICAL. The palm trees sway in the breeze. The food is mouthwateringly good. The locals are friendly. There is SO MUCH TO DO AND SEE you'll never get bored if you're an active gal - I can promise you'll leave Port Douglas wanting more.

Granted, you have to beware of the crocs. They lurk in the waters and it's not safe to dip your toe in any of the blue stuff in that region - apart from your swimming pool. Oh, and the stingers are another thing to be careful of; make sure you wear a stinger suit if you go snorkelling or diving - but apart from those two vicious and potentially deadly animals - Port Douglas is just lovely.

Even the ducks like it here. QT Hotel, Port Douglas, QLD

After two days relaxing on our sun loungers at the funky QT Port Douglas (I highly recommend this hotel, it's a good size and the pool is big enough that you never get bored, small enough that you never lose your partner or kids https://www.qthotelsandresorts.com) - we decided to venture out with Tony's Tropical Tours.

Our itinerary is packed full, and begins with a visit to Mossman Gorge, an area of rainforest at the Southerly end of the Daintree National Park. Our driver Gary reels off information about the area on the 30 minute drive to the Gorge, including the fact that sugar cane is the main agricultural industry, and that sugar from the Port Douglas area and surrounds is exported all over the world. Interesting.

On arriving at Mossman Gorge and taking a short trip down to the rainforest from the Cultural Centre, we are hit with the tropical, humid air that breathes life in to the thick canopy, and the incessant chirping of cicadas that accompany us as we follow Gary along the boardwalk.

The trip through the Gorge is unfortunately wildlife free, bar a glimpse of an unidentified lizard in the undergrowth, poking his head out of a hole. Gary teases us with a sighting of the elusive Cassowary bird, a shorter, stockier relation of the emu and ostrich. The Cassowary is native to this part of Australia, and has the foreboding title of "the world's dangerous bird" - although the last human death from a Cassowary kick was in 1926. They are notoriously shy animals, and Gary tells us he sees one on roughly every TEN TRIPS he does in his tour bus. Not good odds, but I'll take them.

Moving on from the Gorge, and we stop for a quick morning tea, before we bundle on to a low-lying boat for a cruise along the Daintree River, in search for the most dangerous of all the locals - the crocodile.

FACT: Crocodiles have roamed the Earth for 200 million years, outliving dinosaurs for 65 million years. You'd think they'd have taken over by now.

It's January, which means its croc mating season and so we're warned that they are rarely spotted. Within two minutes however, a 4 metre long saltwater crocodile swims confidently out in front of our boat, and casually winds its way towards the middle of the river. This is a pretty unnerving experience. Our boat doesn't feel particularly sturdy.

Breeding season for crocodiles in this part of Australia happens between November and March where the female lays 40 – 60 eggs in a nest made from bits of plant matter and mud normally on the edge of a river bank. The female will stay and protect the eggs until they hatch then she will guard them until they are old enough to fend for themselves. Woe betide anyone who disturbs a crocodiles nest.

Onwards and upwards, and feeling the thrill of a croc-sighting, our group gamely make their way on to Cape Tribulation.

Cape Tribulation was named by British navigator Lieutenant James Cook on 10 June 1770 - recorded in his log book, he named the area so because 'here began all our troubles'. His Bark Endeavour struck the Great Barrier Reef and the crew limped in to Cooktown to make repairs.

The beach at Cape Tribulation is stunning - its extremely unfortunate that no swimming is allowed in the area (due to our saltwater friends) - and the odd reef shark can be spotted from the shore. We remained vigilant for a sighting of the Cassowary, but had to make do with a bright tropical green coloured stick insect instead.

After lunch, our group were invited to take a quick dip in non-crocodile-infested waters. We stopped at a shallow creek, and after Gary checked on the clarity of water (heavy rainfall the night before could have made the water too murky to declare safe), he gave us the all-clear.

There's no crocs in here! (fingers crossed)

There's something about bathing in a freshwater creek in the middle of the Daintree Rainforest, looking up at the palm trees and feeling the sunshine on your face, that makes you smile. I don't think I've ever swam in fresh water before; the sensation of swimming in the open air and not tasting salt on my lips felt new, and I loved it. The swim in the creek made my day.

The final stop on our Tropical Tour was a 'jungle walk' - aptly named as it was simply another walk through the rainforest. Our knowledgeable guide pointed out the ecosystems, various plants and trees and from a distance we observed a Gympie-Gympie tree, one of the world's most venemous plants. Touching the leaves of this tree can cause months of excruciating pain for unsuspecting humans.

The Gympie-Gympie has broad, oval or heart-shaped leaves (which appear furry due to a dense covering of stinging hairs) with saw-tooth edges, and white or purple-red fruit. The stems and fruit are also covered in the stinging hairs. If you see this tree, or think you see it - step aside.

As our tour bus pulled away from the section of rainforest where we had taken our jungle walk, one of the group squealed. She had spotted a Cassowary! The bird and a chick had scurried across a path and were walking away from us. We jumped out of the tour bus for a closer look, being careful not to frighten them. I clicked away frantically on my camera, as the male and its chick darted off down towards a creek. The picture I took was terrible BUT you can make out it's a Cassowary bird. Success!!

It was a brilliant end to a fantastic day.

PD, I LOVE YOU