Daintree and Mossman Gorge

It’s a stressful business stealing the neighbours customers.

Martin oh Martin.

We had travelled the 40 minutes up to the Daintree to take a 1 hour boat ride along the river, stopping at the first cruise we saw.

Big mistake.

Martin lured us into his tent before the competition could raise their heads and notice us walking towards them.

Aggressive, rude, obnoxious. Traits we discovered after laying out $30 for our one hour trip. Good value just the same but may I suggest if you find yourself here…..

……gravitate towards the crocodile.

Our Cap-i-tan on the cruise made up for the Martin factor with an introduction to a number of interesting new best friends and good local knowledge.

Dusty the croc – slightly gold from tannin bark, aged about 40, 2-3 metres, standing guard over her man, 68 teeth, sneaky little membranes over her eyes so she could dive in the water and still see me whilst she lay in wait.

Dusty has been known to push her fellow croc Lizzy off the bank to stop her getting to Scarface, who apparently actually prefers Lizzy anyway.

I wouldn’t think about trying to get close to your man Dusty.

Scarface. 60-70 years, about 5 metres, a very fine specimen.

We also met some interesting birdlife but alas did not meet any tree snakes.

Be assured I looked closely for those slimy little fellas whilst expertly ducking from any branches hanging too close to our boat.

After our boat trip we had a lovely lunch in the pub at Daintree Village, wandered about town marvelling at the interesting signs and artwork and then made our way back to Mossman Gorge.

Last time I was there I am sure we drove right into the gorge, traipsed along the path and had a swim. Mossman Gorge is part of the traditional homeland of the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people, who have now created a visitors centre and shuttle you via bus to the gorge. Although if you wanted to walk, a suspension bridge runs across Rex Creek close to where it enters the Mossman River, linking the carpark area to a 2.4-kilometre rainforest loop track walk, much of it above the rainforest floor. It is refreshing to know that the area is no longer being trampled by humans.

It’s really a stunning place and well worth a look.

I also remember last time sitting on the banks of the gorge with my beach bag open, and a snake slithering into my bag. Fortunately it slithered out. I know this, as I watched from my vantage point some 15 feet away. Where I had dived.

Our big day did not end with the Gorge.

Back to Port Douglas for a one hour sunset cruise, complete with canapés, champagne and pretty darn rough water outside of the Marina.