Where the rainforest meets the sea

WEDNESDAY, 5th July 2011

Ash has upgraded to a big bed the same as Ella now since we were having too many night visits with him climbing out of bed (well now we've just made it easier for him!) But he is very impressed with having his own big boy bed.


FRIDAY, 7th July 2011
We had a very relaxing couple of days in Port Douglas, taking advantage of the warm weather to go swimming in the pool and down at the beach. But not doing much else.



SUNDAY, 10th July 2011

And then moved on up closer to the Daintree, again the caravan park's pool got lots of use. We went up to the Daintree Village and took croc tour on the river, where we saw 3 crocs sunning themselves. The kids were trying their hardest to go overboard but we managed to keep them on the boat.








We also took in Mossman Gorge which was a really beautiful section of rainforest.



The kids tried to take a dip but the water was a bit too fresh for them!



Then they fed the fish in the creek and if we had had a net they would have made for a nice dinner.


Ash decided to offer them his toes, generous kid that he is.


TUESDAY, 12th July 2011

Today we took the car ferry across the Daintree River and set up camp at Cape Tribulation. Its a really nice campground and the kids have gone nuts with all the other young kids that are here for them to play with.




Ash and Ella are still being as grubby as ever.



WEDNESDAY, 13th July 2011

We went and did the Daintree rainforest canopy walk, which is about 7 stories high.



Ella was not such a huge fan of the height as you can see on her face.


Meanwhile Ash was giving me(and the 3 other mothers that were there) a heart-attack by hanging his legs out the hand rails. I stopped that pretty quickly!





We explored around Cape Kimberly and Cow Beach and the kids expelled the energy from the car trip.



THURSDAY, 14th July 2011
Jace and a fellow camper Matt took his boat out fishing at the beach and river trying to bring us back some lunch. But they were completely unsuccessful, apart from Jace nearly offering himself up as croc bait. He managed to stand on the river bank where a croc had been baking only 15 minutes earlier (!?). At least it made for a peaceful day for us mums who got to enjoy a cuppa while the kids all played together.

FRIDAY, 15th July 2011
Tomorrow we are taking the Bloomfield 4wd track as we spend the next 18 days going up to Cape York and back. I'm not sure that there's going to be much phone reception around, but the satellite phone is charged and ready if we manage to get ourselves stuck anywhere. We are also stocked up with supplies for Ella's birthday, I'm not sure where we will be but she is adamant there will be a party....it just might be with friends she only met 5 minutes ago ;-)

Cairns, canopies and crocs

WEDNESDAY, 22nd June 2011
On the next leg we stopped in at Bowen for a shot with the Big Mango

Then headed up to 360degree restaurant for lunch. It had seriously magnificent views.




We stayed a few nights in Townsville where we saw the local sights.






We took a day trip to Magnetic Island for some fish'n'chips on the beach.



And Jace and Ella entertained themselves with the camera on the ferry back.


SATURDAY, 25th June 2011
As we travelled further north the damage caused by cyclone Yasi was very visible along the coast. We stopped just out of Innisfail at Ella Bay, but the rainy weather made our stay rather uneventful.

Of course Ella was happy enough to stay at "her own" bay.


On our way out of Innisfail we did manage to visit Paronella Park which is quite a bizzare sight, its the remainder of a castle set next to a waterfall. The castle was pretty much built by the one guy about 80 years ago.



Ella played the part of the princess.


It was a random detour that turned out to be worth the visit.




MONDAY, 27th June 2011
We arrived in Cairns, and the tropical rain is sticking around.

But the kids are happy enough with raincoats and gumboots, so we wandered through the botanical gardens while it drizzled.



We will be stuck around the Cairns area for a week or two while we get the car repaired and fit for the Cape York adventure. The caravan park we are staying at feels like the starting point for a lot of Cape York adventurers, so the excitement is settling in.

THURSDAY, 30th June 2011
A day trip today up to Kuranda Village.

We took the Skyrail over the rainforest canopy.




And got some great views of Barron Falls.




The kids provided their own entertainment.



(don't mind the drenched shirt...Ash is in dribble mode with more teeth coming through).

FRIDAY, 1st July 2011
Taking advantage of a small break in the rain today we explored a few more beaches.




SUNDAY, 3rd July 2011
We took in some croc action up at Hartley Crocodile Farm today. We saw a LOT of crocs. With relatively well behaved kids after Jace threatened them as croc dinner.


A short boat trip took us around the croc infested lagoon where we got to see 'Big Ted'apparently the 2nd bigget croc in captivity.


Jace got up close and personal with one big fella, and I'm pretty sure this is the only time he wants to see one this close.

We also got to see a Cassowary - or the emu with the pretty head as Jace described it.


The kids got to pat the koalas.

And Ash was offering his fingers to the ducks.

We saw some x-rated lizards.

And some more cute and cuddly crocs