After our delicious “tropical lunch set in the rainforest” as it was described, we boarded our coach again and drove through the forest, heading down to Cape Tribulation. The Daintree National Park rainforest is ancient, over 130 million years old and teems with life. It is home to one third of Australia's reptile, frog and marsupial species, 65% of the country’s bat and butterfly species, 40% of the birds, and 30% of the country’s mammals. An amazing place indeed.
On the way to Cape Tribulation
The road through the rain forest ended at a beach, we had arrived at Cape Tribulation. So named by Captain James Cook Cape 10 June 1770 (log date) after his ship scraped a reef north east of the cape, then later ran aground, on what is now named Endeavour Reef. The ship stuck fast and was badly damaged, desperate measures being needed to prevent it foundering until it was refloated the next day. Cook recorded "...the north point was named Cape Tribulation because "here begun all our troubles". Obviously not the only danger around, as this sign at the beach warned all and sundry. We were amazed to see a group of people in the water, especially as one was an expectant young woman.
No paddling in the sea for us.
Our group walked up a short track to get a good view over the bay. It truly is a special place, where two spectacular World Heritage sites meet, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
Enjoying the views at Cape Tribulation
Driving back to the Daintree River, we just missed the Daintree Cable Ferry and watched as it carried a load of cars across to the other side. This is the only cable ferry operating within tropical Australia, and gives access to the northern section of the Daintree National Park and to Cape Tribulation and north. It is just a short 5 minute trip so the ferry was soon back to collect our coach, and all the other vehicles waiting behind us. Being first on board we had a great view through the window of our coach.
The Daintree River Cable Ferry
Our final stop of the day was at the Mossman Gorge Centre, and we were ushered inside the café for a Devonshire Tea with a difference. These were Damper Scones, we were told, served with jam and cream, and a choice of plunger coffee or billy tea – very nice indeed.
Damper scones for afternoon tea
We had a bush walk through the forest, and gathered around an indigenous guide as he welcomed us with a traditional smoking ceremony. We were asked to walk in a circle around the fire, as a cleansing ritual.
Smoking ceremony
Walking along an elevated walkway, we stopped here and there as the guide, our friendly bus driver, pointed out interesting facts and figures.
On the elevated walkway
We soon arrived at the Mossman River, full of huge boulders, and people frolicking about in the water.
The Mossman River
Then for the brave, we were invited to walk across the Rex Creek Suspension Bridge. Not everyone took up the challenge, and were no doubt pleased that they had stayed on terra firma when some people started jumping up and down in the middle of the bridge!
Rex Creek Suspension Bridge
After such a busy day, we climbed onto our coach for the last time and began the long journey back to Cairns. Passing by the many cane fields along the way – it’s harvest time. And we saw the Sugar Cane Train chugging along the narrow gauge tracks taking the cut cane to be processed, and snapped a photo through the windows of the coach.
Fields of cane and the Sugar Cane Train
It was a great day out with Down Under Tours, and a trip we would certainly recommend, if anyone is planning a trip to sunny Cairns.
1 comment:
Wow! You fitted a lot in for one day by being on the coach trip. It would have been very interesting. We visited the rainforest area at Mossman, but once again, much more basic back then. I wonder what you will see next?
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