Far
North
Queensland

7h30 in the morning, we were landing, on time at Cairns airport. After going through the custom we took a taxi to the Britz depot located 10 minutes from the airport, we pick-up the campervan and ... then only, holiday were really starting.

As we chose not to stay in Cairns but in Port Douglas area, we drove north along this beautiful coastline for about 100 kms before reaching our destination.

If you are looking for something less busy than Cairns, Port Douglas is offering a good alternative. Both Cairns and Port Douglas are offering easy access to the local attractions such as the reef. Some of the tours are leaving from one of these locations, some are leaving from the other but it does not really matter as transportation pickup and drop off can be arranged and most of the time is included in the cost.

We were very tired and the effect of the jet lag was present too, so, nothing much for this first day than a walk on the 4 miles beach.

The Far North Queensland is also known as the Wet Tropics. Guess why? Yes, it is sometimes difficult to have a day without rain.

Anyway, its nature richness and diversity is exceptional and several days can easily be reserved to explore the region. One day you can be on the reef and the day after you can loose yourself in the depth of the tropical forest.

For the second day in Port Douglas we decided to drive up to the Mossman Gorges. It is a nice place with good and easy walks in the forest that are offering great views on the river. The place can be crowed when the busses full of tourists are arriving. So if you want to enjoy the nature you better have to be there early in the morning and leaving before the place is too crowed. Visiting this area is also an opportunity to stop at the local aboriginal centre. The Kuku Yalanji are the indigenous inhabitants in Far Northern Queensland. The centre is a place where you can buy local aboriginal art and craft, book for a guided tour in the forest and learn more about the local aboriginal traditions.

Back in Port Douglas, it was time to go in the centre, to enjoy the local atmosphere, to spend half an hour in an Internet Cafe and of course buy some food and other basic things needed.

If you have the opportuniy you could also have a look to the yacht club. Every Wednesday there is a handicap race. Tourists are welcome on board, it is free. You just have to pay a drink to the skipper … after the race.

Did you already take a breakfast with champagne and between the birds? Interested? See next page … still under construction ...