Mossman Gorge
Port Douglas
Crocodile Nursery
Freshwater crocodile
Mangrove Trees
Boy on BMX - Cairns
View from hotel balcony
Zoë on her birthday
Monday January 11th was to be one we would remember. It started very warm and by midday it was 44°. We went out for a drive with Zoë so that we could enjoy the airconditioned car. We spent a lot of time in the pool. We had all the fans running and the air con in the lounge. The temperature during the night hit the headlines as it was the hottest Melbourne night for over 100 years. All the while England was still carpeted in snow. It was cooler the next day and by Wednesday it was really cool in the high teens. Apparently Melbourne is known for having four seasons in one day. Wednesday was Zoë's birthday, and we went out to buy her birthday present. We also went out for a nice birthday dinner at the Wheeler Hill Hotel.. Mike and Mary returned on Thursday and we spent the day getting packed for our month away in Queensland.
We had a good flight to Cairns. It was very warm. We found a super hotel right on the front with ocean views from our 6th floor room.
On Saturday morning we booked a Monday trip to the Barrier reef and went on a Crocodile cruise in the afternoon. This was a cruise along a mangrove lined creek, where fresh water crocodiles can be seen. We landed at a crocodile farm where crocs are reared for the fashion market. These farms have been established since the 80's when Australian crocs were under threat of extinction because of over hunting the wild ones. The farmed crocs are sold but a lot are actually released into the wild where they are now a protected species.
On Sunday we decided to drive up to Port Douglas which is about 70km north of Cairns.In 2005 we never got there because of the cyclone. It is an exclusive resort and a popular holiday destination which boasts the famous Four Mile Beach. The journey along the coast road up is very picturesque, following right next to the sea for most of the way. The countryside is lush and green, because of the heavy rains and the main crop is sugar cane. The road into Port Douglas is attractively lined with Palm Trees. On Sundays there is a market by the beach where all the goods have to be locally produced. There were many varied craft stalls and fresh fruits in abundance. We drove on up to Mossman to visit the Mossman Gorge where the Mossman river tumbles over huge granite bolders and we watched fearless youngsters swimming in the clear fresh water swimming holes. To reach the river we walked along a board walk through the surrounding rain forest. All this area is part of the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park.
We plan to visit Daintree and Cape Tribulation next week.
We had a good flight to Cairns. It was very warm. We found a super hotel right on the front with ocean views from our 6th floor room.
On Saturday morning we booked a Monday trip to the Barrier reef and went on a Crocodile cruise in the afternoon. This was a cruise along a mangrove lined creek, where fresh water crocodiles can be seen. We landed at a crocodile farm where crocs are reared for the fashion market. These farms have been established since the 80's when Australian crocs were under threat of extinction because of over hunting the wild ones. The farmed crocs are sold but a lot are actually released into the wild where they are now a protected species.
On Sunday we decided to drive up to Port Douglas which is about 70km north of Cairns.In 2005 we never got there because of the cyclone. It is an exclusive resort and a popular holiday destination which boasts the famous Four Mile Beach. The journey along the coast road up is very picturesque, following right next to the sea for most of the way. The countryside is lush and green, because of the heavy rains and the main crop is sugar cane. The road into Port Douglas is attractively lined with Palm Trees. On Sundays there is a market by the beach where all the goods have to be locally produced. There were many varied craft stalls and fresh fruits in abundance. We drove on up to Mossman to visit the Mossman Gorge where the Mossman river tumbles over huge granite bolders and we watched fearless youngsters swimming in the clear fresh water swimming holes. To reach the river we walked along a board walk through the surrounding rain forest. All this area is part of the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park.
We plan to visit Daintree and Cape Tribulation next week.
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