The overcast skies were with us again today as we backtracked south to Mount Molloy and then turned NE to Mossman and Port Douglas. We are camped at Port Douglas this evening. The trip covered 264 km.
We passed by the red topped grass again and could not resist a photograph.
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| 150617 The red topped grass near Cooktown |
The dry countryside around Mount Molloy eventually morphed into rain forest country.
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| 150617 Rain forest between Mount Molloy and Mossman |
We were provided with a beautiful view of the coast from a point on the range that marked the descent into Mossman. It was a beautiful drive down the range and broad leafed trees, creepers and ferns blocked out the sunlight from time to time. It was downhill all the way so the Sahara wasn't complaining.
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150617 The view from the top of the range before descending to Mossman
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| 150617 More rain forest |
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Sugar cane confronted us immediately we reached the coastal plain. Rain forest, sugar cane and water will accompany us most of the way down Queensland's east coast as we head home.
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0150617 At the bottom of the range - sugar cane
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| 150617 Rail carriages with cane |
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After setting up camp at Port Douglas we headed off to Mossman, 18 km away, and to the Mossman Gorge.
The Mosman Gorge operations are managed by aboriginal folk. In fact there is an aboriginal settlement near the mouth of the Gorge. We were taken by bus four kilometres into the Gorge and alighted at a 300m walkway, which took us further into the Gorge. We passed people swimming in the beautiful clear water and eventually our walk stopped after we crossed over a suspension bridge, which crossed Rex Creek. The walkway made the passage up the Gorge very easy.
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| 150617 Heading towards Mossman Gorge |
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150617 The bus that took us 4km into the Mossman Gorge
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| 150617 This walkway took us 300m into the gorge |
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| 150617 A small stream feeding the Mossman River in the Gorge |
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| 150617 Swimming in Mossman Gorge |
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| 150617 Upstream from the swimmers |
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| 150617 Rex Creek |
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| 150617 The Rex Creek Suspension Bridge |
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| 150617 The story of the Rex Creek Bridge |
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150617 At the end of the walkway
150617 Video of portion of Mossman Gorge |
Next our attention turned to a smokestack in Mossman, which is the ultimate destination of the sugar. It is harvesting time and the Mossman Sugar Mill was operating.
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| 150617 The Mossman Sugar Mill |
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150617 Cane in rail wagons waiting to be crushed
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| 150617 Bagasse |
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We paid a quick visit to Port Douglas and what a tourist destination this is. It has numerous resorts, restaurants, retail outlets, coffee shops and much, much more. It has a wharf area, from which the sunsets are excellent, and a huge marina with some very large boats moored in it. The Flagstaff Hill rises behind Port Douglas. It does not offer a view over the town but provides an excellent view of the coastline south of Port Douglas.
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| 150617 Looking up the inlet at Port Douglas with the marina in the distance |
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| 150617 Sunset at Port Douglas |
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| 150617 The story of Flagstaff Hill |
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150617 The view from Flagstaff Hill at Port Douglas, looking south
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| 150617 Sugar cane surrounded us - near Port Douglas |
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We did another 72km this afternoon to take in the tourist sights. That was enough for today.
Tomorrow we are heading up the coast to Cape Tribulation.
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