Monday, September 21, 2009

North Queensland Holiday: Atherton Tablelands

After our very relaxing time at Cape Tribulation, we headed to the Atherton Tablelands via Mossman and Mareeba, where we stayed at the Possum Valley Rainforest Cottages. We enjoyed our stay at Possum Valley - which is very secluded and surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforest.

On the way to Possum Valley, we visited the Mareeba Wetlands and went for a fun boat ride across the main lake. We were also cornered by the local emu and his chicks while attempting to visit the toilets at the Wetlands information centre!

After the Wetlands, we made our way to Mareeba and enjoyed a lovely lunch at the Skybury coffee plantation.

Mareeba Wetlands

The emu and his chicks...












Viewing platform at the Mareeba Wetlands Visitor Centre



Birds on the viewing platform


Boat trip on one of the lakes at Mareeba Wetlands






























Skybury coffee plantation - lunch on the verandah

Jason deciding what to eat...



Yummy lunch - we shared a beef and beer pie and a roasted beef, caramelised onion and mustard sandwich on cornbread with salad. Delicious!


Views from Skybury Coffee Plantation





Possum Valley Rainforest Cottages

Cows guarding the property entrance



Cottage signs at the bottom of the hill where the owner lived...note where the reception is!



Our cottage - very quaint! (Although, regretably full of mice who kept eating our food!)






Back verandah at the Cottage, overlooking the local creek



Bridge crossing for the creek



Night time visitors - resident ducks and possums




When ducks and possums face off!









Sunday, September 20, 2009

North Queensland Holiday: Cape Tribulation

Here are photos from our adventure in North Queensland. Our first part of the trip was spent at Cape Tribulation, where we enjoyed walks on the beach, a rainforest boardwalk, scenic drives and a ferry trip across the Daintree River.


Cape Tribulation camping grounds - safari tents (where we stayed)





Crossing the Daintree River by ferry...the best way to get to Cape Tribulation...it's croc infested too! Unfotunately, we saw no crocs.












We also explored Emmagen Creek - the northern most river crossing you can travel to along the coast road, without the use of a 4WD. Again, no croc sightings...(which was probably a good thing.)












Scenes from our walk along the Dubuji boardwalk at Cape Tribulation.













An early morning walk along the beach towards Cape Tribulation, watching the sun rise...