Blogs from Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia, Oceania - page 2

November 14th we had the last total eclipse of the sun of this year, right here in Port Douglas. The only other time I've seen a total solar eclipse was when I was in 7th grade, in 1994, in my home town. I actually it saw while I was in the school premises. Port Douglas went nuts with this phenomenon and thousands of people flew to Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas to see it. There were several activities in Port Douglas, such as a night market in Anzac Park. It was held for 3 consecutive nights and it included street performers, live music (mostly local bands), stalls with different types of merchandise and souvenirs, food, etc. There were also astronomical talks the previous days leading up to the eclipse and the eclipse was narrated while ... read more

Adventure 4 was the simplest and most laid back - the sunset cruise on Lady Douglas. Far North Queensland is known for a couple of troublesome locals that need caution around the waters edge. My favourite bite thing is the salt water crocodile. I dont want to tangle with either the stingers (2 types of jelly fish) or the crocs, but admire the crocs smile all be it a menacing look. The sunset cruise is intended to spot crocs, and as the air temperatures are warming now, more will come out onto the estuary banks. Our skipper for the cruise was getting a little ancious that we had not spotted any, swimming or on the bank, and on the last reach of the estuary, there she spotted a 3 metre plus male. These creatures are not ... read more

One of our adventures was a half day into Mossman Gorge. Even though we were there at the end of the dry season, the river/streams were flowing steadily. Mossman Gorge has been a popular spot for years, but parking and fascilities were near non-existant until a couple of months back. The local Aboriginal people have built a huge carpark, and then run a shuttle bus up to the palk walkway entrance. Visitors can do one of several self guided walks, or there are now escorted tours where the Aboriginal Guide will tell of their tribal past in this very picturesque valley. Everytime we go out and about we see something really fascinating in the bush. On this walk we came accross a male scrub turkey building a nest for his beloved. The bigger the nest mound, ... read more

Well been in the Australian rain forest on a tour using Daintree Safari. The tour was great but honestly is this a rain forest - I do not think so - maybe we have been travelling so long that are we being de-sensitized to some amazing things due to our seeing so many wonders around the world - I think we are so ignore my previous comments. Tour guide Nick was amazing and if you know anyone who is coming here and needs a guide Nick is your man. So picked up at 7.30am, yes I said AM! OMG we are in a chilling mode getting up this early is not on. So off in the 4x4 we go with another couple from San Francisco. We drive through a sleepy town called Mossman where on the ... read more