Travel Diary - Part 7

This morning we set off from Port Douglas for our 

Daintree adventure in tropical North Queensland.

First was a cruise up the Daintree River with its mangroves and rainforest trees.  There are lots of vines hanging in the trees and orchids attached to branches.  

Orchid

 

We saw our first crocodile lying on a muddy embankment and as we continued along the river, another four including one gliding along in the river.

Crocodile on banks of Daintree River

Our cruise ended a little way up the river where the car ferry crosses, and our bus was waiting to take us further into the Daintree National Park and on to Cape Tribulation.

Cape Tribulation

 

The tide was out and there were all these funny little coils of sand all over the beach.  I assumed they were from crabs or something but our coach driver said they are actually worms that burrow into the sand.  Quite strange!

During the summer months, the beaches along the coast are dangerous for swimmers as this sign indicates.  These jellyfish have long tentacles, any number of which could wind around legs or body with no antidote to relieve the pain.  Each beach has a bottle of vinegar for emergency use only, to be used as soon as the sting occurs.

 

 Danger sign

The other danger on these beaches (mainly in the summer) is crocodiles!

 

From here the road continues north to Cooktown but is 4WD only and so we returned along the same road to the car ferry where we crossed the river and made our way to Mossman Gorge where we had afternoon tea at an Aboriginal Cultural Centre and a short talk about traditional foods.

We walked along a boardwalk into the rainforest and learnt more about the various trees and plants from our Aboriginal guide.  At the end of the boardwalk we came to a river and obviously a favourite water hole, judging from people splashing about.

 Mossman Gorge

We returned to our hotel/resort and after a short rest, walked into Port Douglas to look for a nice restaurant to have dinner.

Next morning was our trip to Kuranda.  Our coach dropped us off at the Skyrail where we boarded our gondola which travels high above the rainforest.  First stop was Red Peak with a short boardwalk through the rainforest before getting onto the gondola again.  The second stop was Barron Falls, the top of which is dammed, then the falls and at the bottom a power station.

Barron Falls

 

After another 10 minutes on the gondola we arrived at the township of Kuranda, a buzzing hippy sort of place, with interesting shops and cafes.   After lunch we headed to RainForestation, a wildlife sanctuary a short disance away.   

We had a ride on an Army Duck along a track and through a lake, something a bit different!

We then came back to Kuranda and made our way to the station for our train trip back down the mountain.

Kuranda Railway

 

We didn't realise until we were on the train that we had gold tickets, and so we were spoilt with drinks & nibblies, cheese & biscuits and an icecream as we enjoyed the scenery.

Great finish to a lovely day!

Tomorrow will be the final instalment of my Travel Diary.

See you soon!