Monday 2nd August 2021
Today’s plans for our big hike have been foiled again, I have a tick on my back which I thought was just a mosquito bite. I have had it for about 4 days, so when we worked out it was a tick, we thought it best to head south to a chemist and get some Freeze-Off. So on our way again down south via Daintree Discovery Centre, then across Daintree ferry on the ferry (a 5 minute ride, $23.40 one way) at Daintree and then Mossman. Tick frozen (just have to wait for it to fall off over the next few days) and then on to Mossman Gorge.

They have a bus ride ($12.65 each) that takes you passed an Aboriginal community and to the start of the gorge. It was another beautiful gorge with a lovely walk through the rainforest but heavily populated. It was a great walk for people that need a boardwalk to get to the point of interest. Unfortunately we have been so spoilt with waterfalls and gorges that it probably doesn’t rate as high for us due to the number of people as much as anything. Although it still was very beautiful.

A 20 minute drive and we are now at Port Douglas. Checked in to our hotel for the next seven days (7 days for $729 in a four star resort, lucky us!). We are having a fancy holiday within our holiday. The idea is Rest, Rest and Olympics.

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Sunday 1st August 2021

Well after 4 nights it is time to move on but before we go a little walk to the Botanical Gardens, Finch Bay via Quarry Rd and Cherry Tree Bay along a 5km bush track. It was a bit harder than I was expecting, I thought it was just a little walk to the beach. Then on our way south at about 10.30am.

Out first stop was the Lions Den Hotel but unfortunately the number of people stopped there sent us on our way. We are still trying to be Covid cautious and avoiding crowded places. Then on to the Bloomfield track, this was a 32km beautiful drive along a dirt road through beautiful rainforest. Some sections have been concreted for safety as the gradient on some of these roads where between 17% and 30%. So very steep. We crossed a few creeks and looked for some more crocodiles, had a walk at Cape Tribulation with a lot of young backpackers. David had a grump moment as they had left lots of beer bottle and rubbish around. I think it is more that we had started travelling south. A week in Port Douglas with the remainder of the Olympics might cheer him up tomorrow.

We then kept travelling a little south, walked the Madji Rainforest loop before arriving at tonights home for the night “Daintree Rainforest Retreat”, a lovely little room in the rainforest to watch some more Olympics tonight.

Tomorrow we are hoping to hike to Mt Sorrow. A difficult 7km return hike up a 900m elevation. Eeeekkk!