How long can it take to see Australia?: Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, Daintree

After spending quite a lot of time in the heat of Northern Australia, and the desert in the centre, when I left the Gemfields town of Emerald, I headed straight for the beach. The closest one I could find. Just east of Rockhampton is a small town called Emu Park, and with the campsite right by the beach, I parked up for a few days, and absolutely LOVED listening to the sound of the waves crashing in the ocean at night, plus the smell and feel of the slight sea breeze.

Emu Park, Qld

Where crabs have been hard at work

This coastline is close to Great Keppel Island, so I felt like I was starting to get somewhere people might actually choose to go on holidays to. You know as a treat. Not that Tennant Creek, Mt Isa & Longreach don't have things to offer.....but, well, I was happy to be here.

Emu Park

It's almost 'stinger' season (box jellyfish), but not quite yet, so I managed to have a swim in the warm water and escape unscathed.

There's 2 days I won't bore you with, because basically it was a lot of driving and not much stopping. Apart from the approximately 30 lots of roadworks along the way. Just over 1000kms to my next destination of Cairns, and all the same sights I'll see on my way back down south. I'll bore you with them then.

Emu Park

In Cairns I met up with my friend Shelaye who had flown in from Adelaide. I warned her about the current condition of JC (bit smelly, backfires every now and then, doesn't enjoy speed), and she accepted him as is, and braved the front seat. We headed further north to the beautiful holiday destination of Port Douglas. Visiting the town AND catching up with a friend in itself was great, but it got even better when she checked us in to the stunning Sheraton Mirage. We did get a few people looking at us pull up in the van with a look of 'they're clearly in the wrong place!' We left JC in the car park as we were staying in the south wing, and were driven to our room in a little golf buggy.

On the way to our room

Sheraton Mirage, Pt Douglas

Shelaye had been bumped off her flight because of the Qantas grounding, and therefore had an extra long day of travel, she played on the hardship a little and got us a room upgrade. With lagoon view. Nice work!

The view from our room

The hotel backs directly on to 4 Mile Beach

Each day at 5pm crowds gather to see a local celebrity 'George the Groper' come in for feeding. It's currently breeding season and apparently George was too busy or just not hungry the night we went.

The crowd awaits George the Groper, Port Douglas.

Melbourne Cup day was of course a big one in Port Douglas, ladies in their finest with fascinators and hats, men in singlets. A Canadian couple we met a few days later were interested to hear all about the Melburne Cup and how no matter where you are in Australia people dress up, and everyone seems to stop to watch the race. They'd arrived in Port Douglas that day and thought the whole town must have been to a huge wedding!

Sailing Club

We headed to the Sailing Club on Wednesday night when the locals kindly take out tourists for a sail, no charge. We were booked to go on a boat called 'Travesty' with skipper Lex. After far too many minutes a sad looking Lex pulled his dingy back in to shore with the news the Travesty wouldn't start. I suggested some WD40 and gaffer tape, but apparently even THAT wouldn't work. Oh well, the night wasn't wasted as I managed to bring home about 30 sandfly bites. The MOST painfully annoying bites...that will from now on be avoided at all costs!

Mossman Gorge, Qld

Next we moved on north of Port Douglas, calling in to Mossman Gorge on our way to the Daintree Rainforest. It was here of all places that my camera battery died, so I've only got a few B grade photos from my phone. But trust my words, it was stunning. Swimming in the crystal clear waters with fish confidently weaving around, and watching a huge blue butterfly sweep overhead.

Mossman Gorge, Qld

After a refreshing swim, it was off to Cape Tribulation, in the World Heritage Listed, Daintree Rainforest. It's a very short river crossing on the ferry to get there. Then a couple of decent hills and narrow winding roads and you're really in the thick of it. On this river crossing on our way back, there was a crocodile just by the bank enjoying a red dog for lunch. Hope he wasn't a pet puppy!

Crossing the Daintree River

A stroll from our cabin through to the bar/restaurant/pool. With the beach a 50 metre walk away. What more could you want?!

Cape Tribulation

Cape Trib beach

Vinegar can be used for so much more than just chips.

Cape Trib Beach

I was fascinated by the different root systems in the Daintree. Nature is a clever beast.

Daintree Rainforest

Every few kms on the drive to Cape Tribulation there are signs telling you to watch out for Cassowary crossing the road. There are also a lot of speed humps. So it makes sense to combine those two messages in to the one sign.

I've only seen cassowary a few times. In the zoo of course, but also once in the wild. When I say 'in the wild', it was on my trip to Papua New Guinea, and it was some tough dark meat on my dinner plate.

Cassowary meeting up for a chat

Heading off together

We had to sit and wait at these roadworks for about 15 minutes, so had a bit of a chat with the STOP/SLOW guy, telling him of our cassowary sighting. He told us we were really lucky, because although there are lots of signs to look out for them, it's not often that people actually catch sight. He also said that just above where we were parked about a week ago, a 6 metre long amethystine python had made its way across the road, but in the tree tops. 6 METRES!!!!! Although I hate snakes, that would've been pretty cool to see.

The view heading back in to Cairns

After a great week in stunning locations with a great friend, it was back to Cairns for a light snack of fresh prawns before Shelaye headed back to the real world.

I'm also about to head back to the real world. Of the mechanics. JC is not feeling very well at all, so wish us luck!