In Daintree National Park I was expecting something out of Lord of the Rings, a thick jungle of vines and twisted trees and creepy crawly things, sodden in mist and muck. Instead, I got all good things and none of the bad! Didn’t see a single spider or snake or a surprise crocodile and I was looking because I sure didn’t want to inadvertently step on one of them critters. The environmentalists have done a magnificent job of creating boardwalks from recycled plastic bottles and identifying lots of the flora along the paths. It’s a fabulous spot, especially because it didn’t even rain!
This map shows the options to get to Cape Tribulation in the Daintree. The blue line is much shorter in distance but not that much shorter in time.In the village of Daintree there is an extensive display of paraphernalia indicative of the area and its history as a once remote outpost.
The Daintree ferry is the only way to access the Rainforest and the famed Cape Tribulation unless you take the long way around and come from the top, about 317k from Port Douglas compared to 85k.The ferry holds about 16 vehicles including caravans and trucks. Locals get priority and the wait to board can be an hour or two during peak season. A return ticket is $26.The Daintree River from the village pier. Those sandy banks are frequented by the local reptiles.This Egret didn’t appear phased by the crocodile population in the area.Lizzie is a small female at 2 metres.
All the better to eat you with my dear!
A baby crocodile has a 10% chance of survival.Looking out at the mouth of the Daintree River.Housemade ice cream is big in this region and Daintree Ice Cream uses fruits and nuts from their own orchards right there. The day we stopped in they were serving 4 scoops in a cup including coconut, black sapore (tastes like chocolate), mango and wattleseed (a nutty flavor and my favorite).A banana grove at the Daintree Ice Cream Company property.Most of the bananas in the area hang with blue plastic bags. Here finally we see the real deal.
One unusual fig tree.One of the typical Daintree boardwalks.The glorious Boyd’s Forest Dragon is one of the more stunning lizards found in this rainforest.
More interesting twisted vines.The Hairy Mary (no relation) is one of the vicious rainforest plants. Don’t rub against this one.
Beware the Cassowary!The notorious Cape Tribulation where Capt Cook shipwrecked his vessel in 1770.Joe has a pensive moment studying the shallow water. He should be looking behind for crocs. A woman wading in waist-deep water at nearby Thornton Beach was killed two month earlier when she stood in waist-deep water.The photographer is photographed.Emergen Creek is the start of the Bloomfield Track, a rough as guts short-cut to Cooktown and Cape York. We decided to try it without “Silver” and determined she isn’t ready for this kind of adventure. We crossed 6 creekbeds, this one being the wettest and widest. The locals fly through these with no qualms.To reduce the environmental impact of the track there were fewer bends created and therefore the gradient had to increase. This one was the worst at 20%. Sealing this section with corrugations makes it easier to negotiate.We made it Wujal Wujal (blue sign says “so nice you say it twice”), the point where the sealed road begins again after 30km of exciting driving. Then we turned around and did it all again. Took and hour each way.
2 thoughts on “Daintree Rainforest”
Love the Boyd’s Forest Dragon and the (flat) Cassowary!
great to armchair travel with you both.
The Daintree is such a great area. Glad you finally got to see the cassowary sign. Can’t ever remember the Lawyer cane being called Hairy Mary. It’s nick name is”wait a while” and you probably know why by now. Have you come across the sensitive weed yet? Quite common up there. I have always been fascinated by it.
2 thoughts on “Daintree Rainforest”
Love the Boyd’s Forest Dragon and the (flat) Cassowary!
great to armchair travel with you both.
The Daintree is such a great area. Glad you finally got to see the cassowary sign. Can’t ever remember the Lawyer cane being called Hairy Mary. It’s nick name is”wait a while” and you probably know why by now. Have you come across the sensitive weed yet? Quite common up there. I have always been fascinated by it.