Port Douglas,The Daintree and Cape Tribulation QLD (June - 7 days)

From Mission Beach we ended up driving straight through to Port Douglas with the plan to head south to Cairns before we head west. We enjoyed a few quiet days in Port Douglas going to markets, for drives and walks etc. From here we visited beautiful Mossman Gorge where we all swam between the boulders in crystal clear (freezing) water, navigating the faster flowing sections! The kids loved the suspension bridge over the gorge and took great delight in swinging it as Kate squealed and decided it was “far too dangerous!”

We took a day trip to Cape Tribulation and The Daintree and loved it so much on this visit that we took the van up for a further two days. This was just such a unique environment where the ‘rainforest meets the reef’. We had such a great time going on (sometimes lengthy) walks, discovering very secluded swimming holes, fishing and shell collecting on gorgeous beaches fringed with coconut palms. We also went on a cruise on the Daintree River and spotted five crocs which was quite thrilling. One of these was only very little – one of the newest additions to the river’s population apparently. After seeing croc warning signs at most inland waterways that we pass up here it was great to finally lay eyes on some crocs in their natural habitat. We all marvelled at the lush rainforest which was truly spectacular in places. The climbing vines, strangling figs and fan (umbrella) palms were amongst our favourites. Just driving along this section of the coast is divine, catching glimpses of the blue, blue ocean through breaks in the forest.

From Cape Tribulation we drove straight through to Cairns where we are now staying for 10 days. We are actually staying approx 15 minutes west of the city itself in a great van park nestled at the base of the tablelands in a rainforest setting. We are very close to the picturesque Crystal Cascades (series of waterfalls and swimming holes). The backdrop is truly spectacular and no sandflies or mozzies which is a treat! The only adjustment has been the heat (only 27-28 degrees, but the humidity factor has made it feel much, much hotter! (nappy-only weather for little Georgia).




One disappointment this week was that the shutter seized up on our camera and will need to go in for repair. In the first 7 weeks Kate managed to click away 1400 times, which will total something like 7,000 pics for the whole trip if this trend continues! Kate is obviously having withdrawals and Annabelle has been very gracious in sharing her new camera with her Mum!

It seems to be that we encounter some new creature or living thing to ‘beware of’ on each new leg of the journey…..stingers, sandflies, crocs, cassowaries (which can apparently pose some danger to humans) and the stinging tree, so far. There will undoubtedly be more to come. We feel very blessed to live in Port Macquarie with beautiful beaches and koalas (which pretty much keep to themselves!)

Georgie continues to delight us all and brings much laughter to the family! She never misses out on a little ice cream treat and now unzips herself out of her camp cot with ease. Tonight doing so and proceeding to make herself comfy on the couch for a DVD with the ‘big kids’.