Mossman Gorge

Tropical North Queensland

While on a holiday in Cairns with the Family in August we decided to hire a car and take a drive up to Mossman and have a look at the Mossman Gorge in the southern end of the Daintree National Park. The drive alone along the coast was great. Once in Mossman the gorge is only 4km out of town. After we parked the car just outside the aboriginal settlement we boarded the free shuttle bus that took us to the start of the gorge.

We set off along the walking track. There was myself, wife Tam, Bethany(5) and Baxter(2.5). The track followed the crystal clear, pristine, fast flowing river. It didn't take us long to realize that this place was amazing.

We followed the easy track to a number of lookouts that made for great photo opportunities.

Like ourselves, there were a lot of tourists in the gorge and some even decided to swim in one of the many ponds. The water was so clear that hundreds of fish could be seen from the bank swimming around

We continued along the track, crossing the river on an suspension bridge and taking in more beautiful scenery when we come to a divided track that was a circuit of 2 km but we didn't proceed as the kids little legs were tiring.

The slow walk back to the bus was just as amazing with regular stops along the river.

Everything was just so green. I'm looking forward to hopefully in the future returning when the kids a older so we can explore the gorge further.

Mt Whitfield. Cairns

Cairns. North Queensland

August 2010 on a holiday with my wife and 2 young children to Cairns I was keen to explore a conservation park only 10min walk from our Hotel. (The Lakes).

The park is in a rainforest about 4km north of the main City of Cairns, just near the airport. There are 2 walks that can be done. The first is the Red Arrow Circuit. A short walk that works its way uphill through beautiful rainforest to a lookout that takes in views of the Coral Sea and Cairns. The return journey down the other side of the mountain also has great views. This walk is only 2 km and wont take more than a hour.

While at the top of the Red Arrow Circuit walk there is the start of the longer Blue Arrow Circuit Walk. This walk takes in the peak of Mt Lumley and is about 7km long.

Time was limited on the morning when I set out to do the Blue Arrow Circuit and even though its winter in Cairns it was very hot and didn't take long to work up a sweat.

After taking in a few good lookouts it was into the thick, lush green fainforest and the track was narrowing and becoming very rough. After about an hour I had to turn around and head back, again taking in the great views of Cairns and The Coral Sea.

This walk would take 3-4 hours to complete and if I'm ever up in Cairns again I will make sure I have time to do the whole thing.