The Daintree Rainforest

Tuesday 5 August

We woke to bird calls. I even heard a Rifle Bird and the Blue-winged Kookaburras. We were soon out for a walk to the creek but no sign of platypus this morning. We then went back to the orchard for some more birdwatching then took a stroll along the quiet lane.

It was very peaceful sitting and sipping my coffee watching all the birds that visited the bird feeders just off the verandah.

On the road again by 9:30 heading north through Mossman and on to the Daintree River. We crossed on the ferry then drove the slow winding road in the Daintree Discovery Centre and Canopy Tower. There was no parking so we continued on the side road until we found parking which was right near the Jindalba Boardwalk.

We had a lovely stroll along the boardwalk then drove back to find parking for the Tower. We had lunch at the Tower cafe then spent about an hour walking the tower and all its associated board walks. I photographed one butterfly (or moth) but we did not see many birds or other wildlife. Plenty of plants I was not familiar with and a rather large Selaginella.

As it was about 1:30pm by then we decided to head straight for Cape Tribulation, arriving at about 2:30pm (an hour to do about 20km). We booked a cabin at PK's Village – very basic and hardly adequate. We only have a double bed, no tea and coffee making facilities and no screens on the door and window. We'll vertainly only be here one night. What a pity, as it is in quite an idyllic garden setting.

After an icecream while watching a Ullyses butterfly and two other types we walked along the boardwalk through the mangroves to the beach. It was lovely to feel the fresh sea breeze and watch the waves as we strolled along but huge dark rain clouds loomed so we headed back to make ourselves comfy for the evening.

After our scrounged dinner of salad veges, fruit and biscuits the rain started bucketting down. Luckily we had a well sheltered verandahg to sit out on in the cool.

Wednesday 6 August

Thank goodness we were not in our tent last night! Our basic ensuite cabin with only a double bed kept us dry and protected from the rain that fell all night and was still falling when we had to pack the car.

We left without coffee intending to get it on the road but it was so wet and twisty that we got all the way to Daintree Village before we could actually stop and relax.

We took our time in Daintree intending to stay overnight but as it was so wet and only late morning we had devonshire tea for an early lunch then left. We took the road towards Cairns marvelling at the views of the coastline on our way.

We turned up towards Kuranda and the tablelands, our aim being to see Barron Falls and get to the Mareeba Wetlands as we had noticed something about accommodation there.

It took us a little time to navigate the myriad poorly designed signs to the falls but were pleasantly surprised by the excellent boardwalk when we got there and the fact that there was at least some water in the falls. The train was pulled into the station when we got there too.

On then to the Mareeba Wetlands. I had not remembered such a long drive in off the highway but we perservered and once we arrived I remembered it all. The visitor centre is a beautiful John Nott pole building that Surrey and I had visited in 2001.

We arrived to find “no room in the inn” (or safari tents anyway) but we must have looked honest enough as we were offered a tent space on the manager's front lawn (Margaret and Greg) and the use of their toilet and shower. How fantastic to meet such generous people.

We were also just in time to join the 4-W-D safari wildlife tour in behind the wetlands. This provided an opportunity to see many new birds for our list including a Jabiru. We also saw some kangaroos and four wild pigs.

Back to the centre for complimentary wine and cheese before being taken to the house to set up our tent. We returned then to dinner overlooking the wetlands and chatting to some of the other guests, especially a Dutch family of four.

While we were chatting, a northern quoll came up onto the deck and entertained us all trying to find a feed. It was obviously well familiar with the centre.

Back to the tent for a fabulous sleep.