Day 57: Tue 21 Jun - Port Douglas

Day 57: Tue 21 Jun - Port Douglas 

20 – 25°. A partly cloudy and windy day. I went for my morning walk with Greg for about an hour - amazed at the number of cockatoos in the trees and crops - they must be causing damage, but it wasn't evident. After breakfast Noeleene did some washing then drove into Port Douglas, while Greg and I went for a 20km ride into Port Douglas via the marina, stopping at the Old Lighthouse for views across to the Low Isles, then further on up to the top of Flagstaff Hill for views along 4 Mile Beach.  It's a fairly steep climb and I was pleased to able to ride all the way to the top, indicating that my lungs and fitness levels are slowing returning to normal after Covid. We had a discussion this morning about our itinerary beyond Cooktown where we are booked for 4 days. It appears the QLD school holidays which start at the end of this week are having a greater impact than we anticipated. We've had to cancel our planned visits to the  Undarra Lava Tubes and Cobbold Gorge because there is no accomodation or tours available. After Cooktown we will now return to Mareeba for 4 nights before making our way across the Savannah Way to Normanton and Karumba. We'll just have to plan another trip north to do everything we had planned or simply couldn't fit in this time. After lunch we drove 20km to Mosman with Greg and Wendy for a bit of shopping, but there isn't much to see in town, so we didn't hang around. I will add Mosman to the list of places to visit in future though, but more for convenience to access to Mossman Gorge, Daintree and Cape Tribulation. Back at the van after a little packing for tomorrow's departure, refuelling, and pre-dinner drinks, it was time for dinner and another quiet night at home.  Tomorrow morning we set off back up the steep and windy Mt Molloy for the 265km drive to Cooktown.  

 

Thousands of noisy cockatoos on our morning walk wreaking havoc in the trees and crops

Noisy cockatoos

Memorial Honouring the pioneer founders of Port Douglas

140th Anniversary memorial of the proclamation of Port Douglas

Old unused cane carriage track near the caravan park

Marina

Marina

Quicksilver loaded and ready to depart for the Low Isles

The historic Bally Hooley steam train located at the marina, not in use since Covid

Heading out into windy and rough seas 

View along 4 mile beach from Flagstaff Hill

5m high marble memorial in the main street commemorating FDA Carsten,  a former local publican and mayor 

Lovely bikepaths around Port Douglas 

Our setup amongst the palms - very nice, but a tad expensive at more than $50 per night

Entrance to the lower levels of the caravan park 

Not much to see or do in Mossman, so a couple of token photos - The Shire Hall...

...and the Exchange Hotel

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