Port Douglas 2013 - Mossman Gorge and Daintree Village

Mossman Gorge was Monday’s destination. We drove to the information centre where we got on the bus that took us to the gorge.

Since our last visit, a boardwalk has been built to reach the gorge making the area more accessible for most people. 

The walk then continues to the suspension bridge and once over the bridge walkers can take the circuit walk through the rainforest for more than 2 km. 

The path on the circuit walk can be a challenge at times but it is well worth the effort. The walk takes you through many different types of vegetation – trees, vines, ferns, fungi and variety of tree roots.

We could hear a variety of bird life in the trees and had a small lizard wander across the path but most of the rainforest wildlife was sensibly hiding, however near one of the pools a number of brush turkeys were fossicking through the dirt in the bush.

The highlight was the sighting of a large, blue, Ulysses butterfly capping off an enjoyable couple of hours walking through the rainforest.

A quiet afternoon followed including a swim in the pool. 

Another 11 km walk along the beach started Tuesday. The wind had died down so there were many more people walking, jogging and cycling along the beach. 

The yoga class had been and gone. The tide was lower than the previous walk so there was more sand visible. 

At the end of the beach we walked out on to the exposed sea bed with the furrows created by the waves and the perforations in the sand caused by the crabs.

There were no kite surfers this morning but towards the end of the walk two hang gliders passed overhead.

In the afternoon we drove north through Mossman, a town surrounded by sugar cane farms, to Daintree Village, a small group of buildings by the Daintree River. A small market is held in a tin shed and we purchased a stone pendant from one of the stalls. 

We ate a sandwich from the Big Barramundi Garden and then visited the Timber Gallery next door.

As well as having a variety of wooden items for sale the gallery had a collection of wood working tools on the walls as well as photos and posters about the history of timber getting in the region.

We then walked down to the river. 

 

The scenery is magnificent. Some years ago we took the cruise down the river to view the scenery and wildlife, including, of course, crocodiles. This time we just admired the view and returned back to the village. 

 There are only a few shops but we purchased a present for our grand-daughter before visiting Eliza’s Gallery where we found a turtle to add to our collection and a lily pad plate. Daintree Village is an interesting place to visit.

After a big breakfast on Wednesday morning we went for a walk around the town. Later we drove to the far end of the beach and as it was low tide we went for a walk across the sand banks and exposed sea bed. 

It was the first time I had paddled in the sea for a long time and enjoyed the experience.

We also revisited the Wednesday market later in the day.