Daintree Rainforest
For day 2, Ryan and I took another day trip up to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. We were told that this is the oldest, continuously surviving rainforest on earth at over 135 million years.
On our way up, we stopped at Palm Cove for a little beach time. All of the beaches up here have areas squared off with stinger nets and are the only places safe for swimming. While we were visiting, we watched lifeguards, completely covered head to toe in stingersuits, gloves, booties, etc., dragging for jellyfish outside the swim area. Makes you not want to risk swimming in the open ocean if these guys are so careful.
Palm Cove Beach
After soaking up some rays, we drove along another beautiful road on the side of the ocean and through acres and acres of sugar cane farms.
We stopped at the Mossman Gorge for more rainforest bushwalking. It is part of an aboriginal people's homeland, so is closed off to the public unless you pay an entrance fee and take their bus in. But it is absolutely worth it. There is a trail through the rainforest and over a really cool suspension bridge that we may or may not have jumped on. A lot.
I know the bridge looks sturdy, but it really did sway when you walked across.
The trail winds along a beautiful river filled with giant boulders and freezing cold water. Ryan and I hiked the longer trail and got caught in the rain. At first, we were completely dry even though we could hear it was raining above us. But eventually the dense trees gave way and we were soaked and muddy.
After drying off a little, we jumped back in the car and kept on further north, dodging cassowaries, taking ferries, and stopping at beautiful lookouts. Our final destination was Cape Tribulation, a beach that is known as the point where a millions and millions year old rainforest meets the Coral Sea.
Ferry to the Daintree Rainforest
Typical Australian road signs
Love that Aussie humor.
Alexandra Lookout
Cape Tribulation beach
