Douglas and Daintree Delights

Wednesday 3 September

Unfortunately, the weather up here on the far north tropical coast has been wet and wild.  Any chance of going to the reef was quickly dashed after consulting the long range forecast and seeing that the rain and 40 km winds on the ocean would continue.

Undeterred, we still knew there was much to do in this region and set our minds to exploring them. High up on our list was a scenic drive to Port Douglas.  We’d heard about this drive and even in the wild and windy conditions, seeing waves crashing onto the shore on one side of the road and then being met by rugged hills on the other had a force and energy about it that’s hard to describe.  I was awestruck by the power of the created world being unleashed...just for a moment...

Once in Port Douglas, we left that scene behind us but still glimpsed the fury when we took a quick peek at Four Mile beach.  Walking on the Esplanade was out of the question in those conditions!  Most of us climbed a tree on the other side, near St Mary on the Sea and felt like we were being blown from our perches.

What we also got a glimpse of was how stunning this area would be with glittering sunshine and calm seas.  I definitely want to come back here another time.

As C S Lewis said in the “Last Battle”, it was a case of ‘further up and further in’ as we continued along the coastline and went toward the Daintree Rainforest.  Though we had been on several rainforest walks in the region, nothing really prepared me for how much I would love this! Invoking Tolkien, he would say there is deep magic in an old forest and I did imagine that some of those trees, due to their age and majestic size could be written into his world.

Going to the Daintree Discovery Centre enriched our experience.  We were able to view the rainforest on three levels - at the canopy, on an aerial walkway, mid-height and then down at the forest floor.  The guide book and audio at one’s disposal can intrude as little or as much as one allows.  Sometimes, just being in the silence of the forest was refreshing... until a child interrupted for something.

Andrew even got in a short dirt road drive but Cape Kimberley was ferociously windy so we didn’t stay long.

TRAVELLER’S TIP:  Give yourself time to explore the Daintree, if you have it.  We just scratched the surface as we only had a day trip there and back.  Even if you have limited time, go the extra mile and do what you can - you won’t be disappointed!