15 April 2013 – Cairns, Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, Daintree

Monday we planned to get up nice and early to get going on our own little tour of Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, Daintree River and Forrest and Cape Tribulation.  Well we were up early enough but the first thing we did was get stuck into watching the final round of the Masters on TV.  Thankfully we stayed tuned until 10am to see Adam Scott win the championship… we were so excited for him!  We finally got out the door and underway.  The first stop heading north was Rex Lookout along the Captain Cook Highway.  After a few happy snaps, we moved on to Port Douglas.  We called in at the Sheraton Mirage resort where we stayed less than 2 years ago (great memories) and then Dad, myself and Sami walked along Four Mile Beach into Port Douglas.  It was a lovely sunny day for the walk with only a few fluffy clouds in the sky.  We definitely needed a drink at the other end.  We wandered around up and down Macrossan Street before grabbing some fresh rolls and heading to Anzac Park for lunch in the shade.  Back in the car, our next stop was out to Mossman Gorge.  It was different to when we last visited here.  Within the last year, they have built a new Indigenous eco tourism centre (or more of a money spinner) whereby you have to catch a bus from this centre up to the entrance to Mossman Gorge.  We walked the planks to the River and it was just as stunning as last time.  The difference this time was that we were there later in the day and it was amazing how many people were all gathered in this one spot.  Josh was first to strip off and dive in – you could tell the water was fresh.  Even the girls were a bit slow to get in.  The current moving down the river was strong but we all finally got in and absolutely loved the coolness of the water.  The kids were again climbing a boulder and jumping off (probably annoying everyone else but they were having fun).  Josh decided to give it a go then too… a big bomb near drowning me not too far away.  Then the funniest site, Dad (in his speedos of course) decided it was his turn.  Being a rather large boulder Josh had to help by pushing him up to help the climb (it was hilarious).  Next thing you know Dad was up in the air doing a massive bomb of his own.  It was so good that he even got a round of applause.  I wish I had the camera in my hand at the time.  We were really enjoying ourselves but eventually had to drag ourselves away as it was getting close to 3pm and we had plenty more to see.  We raced back to the car and back on the road, this time bound for the Daintree River for a wilderness tour (crocodiles included).  We chose again to go with the Solar Whistle group (being a solar electric boat).  After grabbing our coffees/cordials biscuits we boarded the boat, this time with only 2 other people.  Big ‘Scarface’ wasn’t around today but we did manage to see one of his girlfriend’s, ‘Elizabeth’, up close and a few of her babies, one being about 2 weeks old and the other about a year old – not to mention the other wildlife that is out and about.  The tour didn’t end until after 4.30pm by which time we thought it was just getting too late to keep heading north up to Cape Tribulation, so instead of crossing the river, we headed into the town of Daintree.  It is only a very small town so we drove past “The Big Barramundi” and around the edges of town checking out the properties.  The countryside here is absolutely stunning!  Rolling green mountains, gorgeous big old trees, lots of cattle and to top it off a very bright rainbow (no we didn’t chase the end of it looking for our fortune but perhaps we should have as we never want this dream to end).