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Published: November 13th 2007
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Fruit Bats - Daintree River
Flying foxes in their hundreds I spent the majority of the last 2 days in the Daintree Rainforest National Park, although it feels like much longer. I have seen too much wildlife to list. My tour included a boat trip on the Daintree river, where we spotted a few crocodiles (only a few small ones, mind), swimming in the beautiful Mossman Gorge, and a walk through the rainforest and mangrove swamp. It has been a fascinating experience. One of the best things I saw were Spectacled Fruit Bats (one of the largest airborne mammals) by the river, roosting in the treetops by their hundreds and screeching to one another. I have seen too many birds and insects to mention, and a goanna, a large monitor lizard right up close in the middle of the path.
The place I stayed at Cape Tribulation was a sort of village resort in the rainforest, with wooden dorm huts around a central pool and bar area, about 5 minutes walk from the beach. I went horseriding from there, which was surprisingly easy for beginners, and a great way to see the scenery, and sea kayaking around the headland. One thing that struck me were the sounds coming from the forest,
even audible at sea - a constant chittering of insects and frogs that really gives and impression of how much life there is in there.
There was also a guided night walk through the forest, spotting all manner of forest insects, spiders, amphibians and reptiles. The guide was something of a frog enthusiast, so we saw and heard a lot of different tree frogs.
I have met lots of other backpackers on the tour who will be going the same direction down the coast as I am, so I don't feel so alone now. I can't believe it still hasn't been a week since I arrived, I already feel like I want to move on from here and start heading south.
It has been raining quite heavy in Cairns since I got back, so a visit to the reef in the next few days would not be such a good idea. It seems I may have to visit when I am further down the coast, when the water is calmer.
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