David's Birthday! David opened his few little presents in the van and enjoyed another cooked breakfast and we all sang Happy Birthday! A young Dutch couple at the end of their travels who we had spoken to the previous night present David with an unexpected gift of a boogie board with instructions to "pass it on" at the end of our Australian journey. We drive a little way north again to spectacular Mossman Gorge and enjoy a rainforest walk for an hour or so. We see bush turkeys, cassowary warnings,but no platypus - which the lady at the van park had assured us was hiding under the footbridge if we were quiet!
There are several waterfalls and a bouncy swing bridge to cross
and near the end of the walk there is a small but chilly water hole. Rowan wastes no time stripping off and wading in. No sense, no feeling! There is a fallen tree crossing the pool and she eventually plucks up courage to plunge fully into the water (with a little encouragement from a now gathered crowd of seniors!) and swim through the arch.
A scenic drive up through the scenic Cairns Tablelands in the afternoon. A wide flat plain which is home to coffee and tea plantations and some spectacular views. We stop for lunch in Kuranda and explore the local craft markets before driving down again and a quick stop at a beautiful waterfall, said to be Australia;s most photographed and featured in several Qantas adverts.
It is getting dark and we are not sure where we are going to stay so consult the Camps 6 book and head to our first free campsite at El Arish on the Bruce Highway. It is dark when we arrive and attempt the bed routine and supper! There are several other vans parked with a variety of occupants, some backpackers and several older folk who seem to have been there for ever. Slightly concerned by the "dont stray too far into the undergrowth" warning signs and hope we dont stumble on a stray croc on our way to the toilet in the middle of the night!
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