Day 8: Port Douglas to Noahs Beach

14th June, 2015

Organisation at it's best!

Organisation at it’s best!

After packing up the cars with the last minute shopping – oh if only we could tell how much food we’d need, we finally got away about 10am. I was pretty industrious before leaving home and froze quite a few cooked meals in readiness, to Ric’s great amusement.

 

Leaving wasn’t that easy – the Cairns Ironman competition was on and the main road out of town was closed. We weren’t delayed too long.

First stop Mossman, for fuel, and we were off. Lots of sugarcane!

Gill outside the Mossman Gorge Centre. Lots of aboriginal art and sculptures on display.

Gill outside the Mossman Gorge Centre. Lots of aboriginal art and sculptures on display.

From here we went to Mossman Gorge. Mossman Gorge forms a part of the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest and contains the oldest, continuously surviving rainforest on earth being over 135 million years old.  This spectacular gorge and river is now under the care of the local aboriginal group. An excellent information centre at the beginning has lovely art to purchase and of course, the tickets. You have to catch the bus up to the gorge and from there you do the walks. Magnificent, fast-flowing river, crystal clear water, with perch easily seen swimming in the quieter parts. Swimming is sometimes permitted, but not this time – the river is flowing too fast. The rainforest walk was delightful – magnificent trees and that lovely feeling of life all around you.

A fine looking couple at Mossman Gorge.

A fine looking couple at Mossman Gorge.

Apparently there's over 3,000 species of plants in this rainforest. And look how beautiful they can be!

Apparently there’s over 3,000 species of plants in this rainforest. And look how beautiful they can be!

Crossing the Daintree on the car ferry.

Crossing the Daintree on the car ferry.

On to the Daintree Ferry to cross the Daintree River. We stopped at the Daintree Discovery Centre but didn’t go into it ($68/person). There was another walk nearby that we enjoyed – free.

Our destination was the campsite at Noah’s Beach, a National Parks campsite. Once more they didn’t let us down – basic facilities, just a loo, but right on the beach. Went for a long walk along the beach with Ric, Gill and Steve, photographed the wonderful patterns made by the ghost crabs on the beach, back to camp for dinner, a few vinos, some fun and laughter with our friends and off to bed. Early night getting prepared for the famous Bloomfield Track tomorrow.

Noahs Beach

Noahs Beach

Wine o'clock on Noahs Beach.

Wine o’clock on Noahs Beach.

To see all our photos from today CLICK HERE.