Wonga Beach, Mossman and the Daintree

Wonga Beach, The Daintree and Cape Tribulation.

After a night of the bright lights in Port Douglas we headed for the Daintree area for a few days. We drove through the small sugar and timber town of Mossman for a final Woollies stop and a visit to the markets, where we found many beautiful tropical fruit treats – pineapples for Jordy (and us), delicious passionfruit for Will and Chrissy and Rum balls for Jim.....   full of comfort food we headed  toward The Pinnacle Holiday Park at Wonga Beach.

After settling in and a swim for the boys we headed off to explore the quaint Daintree Village. The Rainforest does take over here and there are lots of tourist opportunities, tours cruises and boutique Accommodation. We crossed the Daintree River on the Ferry for the first time and went for a wet tropics walk. That’s because it was raining, and because it was in the Rainforest.

                                                     Markets under the trees at Mossman

                                                                   Will on the Ferry

                                                            Heading for the other side.

                                                         At a lookout on a misty day

 

The next morning Cape Tribulation was the aim for the day and we crossed the Daintree  and headed north. The first 20km is a steep, narrow, windy road with stunning scenery before levelling out to be one of the most spectacular roads in the country. Everything green and lush and very little traffic  so we  could dawdle along and enjoy the journey. The whole area is very beautiful and unspoilt and a special place to visit.

We made it to Cape Tribulation and enjoyed a walk on the beach along with a couple of walks through the rainforest. We also visited the Rainforest Discovery Centre and once again the cassowary’s were scarce as well as the famed Ulysses blue butterflies which are the Ferraris of the butterfly world. There are a few around but they are always moving along at speed and goodness knows how anyone has ever taken a photo of one.

                                                              Cape Tribulation Beach

                                                             A very cool and popular tree.

Gardens in the Daintree area are full of amazing tropical trees, with exquisite flowers and fruits.  We still haven’t grown to love the unusual smell of the tropical plants..... Will is fascinated by the gazillions of coconut trees and  coconuts, and despite not liking coconut juice of fresh flesh, insists on bashing them and making Jim crack them open.

                       The Daintree Ice-cream place, Nice gardens and very expensive ice-creams.

                                    An Ulysses butterfly, click on the image for a larger view.

Monday morning saw us visit Mossman Gorge. The Mossman River flows through the boulder strewn gorge at a gentle pace with crystal clear pools, lots of jungle perch and butterflies and a bucket load of tourists. We loved the cool water, the scenery and just being there. Body surfing the rapids was  heaps of fun as was the rock climbing adventures (go Jordy and Kurt!) .It was without doubt one of the special places we have visited and only being 20km from Port Douglas there is a chance of a return visit next week. 

                                                         Kurt ready to ride the rapid

                                                                   Off he goes

                                                                        Jordy's turn

                                                    And Jim, with a cowgirl looking on.

                                                        The boys loved boulder hopping.

                                              When you are tired, find a comfortable rock.

After much pestering the Mossman Skate park got the once over from Will - he returned  thirsty, red and very happy.

Back at the park, the kids enjoyed the pool and table tennis as well as the monster cane toads which met the Morcom’s at night and were exterminated without any mercy at all. So overall the Daintree gets a big tick as a place to do as little or as much as you like with fantastic scenery.