How beautiful is the North?

 Wednesday 15 August at 6am, saw me waving goodbye to Proserpine, Reg and Laurel, after boarding the 'Spirit of Queensland' train that would take me north to Cairns. A distance of 618 km, taking 7 hours by car but 10 hours by train. I was met by my brother and a further hour took us north to his home in Mossman. Much of this road had lovely coastal views so the time passed quickly.

Thursday morning I woke to ominous clouds over the ranges behind Jims's house and was feeling disappointed that the tropical skies of Proserpine hadn't followed me. Thankfully, only a temporary hitch. A little selfish of me, as everywhere from Brisbane to Cairns needs or desperately needs rain. 

Jim's wife Michelle is the Uniting Church minister in the Mossman area, with churches in Port Douglas and Mt Molloy. It was an exceptionally busy week for them but gave me a great insight into the work they do and the opportunity to meet the ever so friendly and welcoming people of the north.

A walk around Mossman took me through canefields and into town.

Mossman Hospital

The once, typical Queensland home, built for coolness in this hot humid climate.

After helping to set up the church hall for a fundraising dinner the following night, we left at 3pm to drive to the World Heritage listed Daintree Forests. Michelle had a service in the local school at 6.30pm so it was a great opportunity to show me this area, even if in a very short space of time. 

Of interest was Angie who attended the service. She and her husband run Daintree Rainforest walking tours and just recently David Attenborough visited them to film the cassowaries who habitat their area. Their website is worth viewing. Unfortunately, they were fully booked out during the time of my visit.

https://daintreerainforest.net.au/

On the way ......

The Japanese dropped 8 bombs in this area towads the end of WW2.

Looking north to the Daintree.

A climbing, winding canopied road through thick rainforest.

View at the top of the range of the croc-infested Daintree river mouth.

5.15 pm saw us at Cow Bay Beach, 20 mins from our destination. Here we relaxed with a picnic tea and one eye on the water's edge for emerging crocodiles.

Having set up the hall the day before, Jim and I were given leave to do some exploring on Friday. We drove south to Port Douglas "a little slice of paradise between the rainforest and the reef," a drawcard for both families and celebrities.

St Mary's by the Sea is a heritage-listed non-denominational church, magically positioned on the waterfront of Port Douglas. Michelle conducts services here at 11am on Sundays. Such a tranquil setting on this visit but on Sunday mornings it is surrounded by markets and crowds of tourists. 

Sunday

Having attended the Mossman service at 8.30 am, I now wandered the market stalls and found a gorgeous wooden kangaroo toy for my darling Grandson Ben, in Canada. I then relaxed on the rocks at the water's edge. The colour of the sea was pure bliss to witness.

But back to Friday - a visit to Jim's favourite bakery in Port Douglas provided us with sustenance for lunch, which we enjoyed beside this crystal clear stream on our way to the "Bump Track".

Midday, in late winter in north Queensland, is not a good time to be setting off on a hike, but it was our only opportunity to take this trail.

The peak on the RHS is where we were headed.

I've tried hard to make these signs readable, as the history of this escape route away from the coast if the Japanese landed is quite remarkable. Sadly I don't think I have succeeded.

The trail - yes, extremely steep and canopied with only one view west to a waterfall and one east to the coast, just north of Port Douglas. I am posing for effect, but my hair and shirt were dripping with sweat and there were numerous rest stops on the way up.

The coastal view.

The Bible Society fundraising dinner for the Children's Cancer Hospital in Nicaragua raised $1800. Impressive for a small congregation.

Saturday morning, Michelle was free to join us at the Mossman markets, held in the grounds of the Anglican Church, beneath magnificent Rain Trees, covered in epiphytes.

I just loved the mountain backdrop to the markets.

After lunch, we took a drive to Shannonvale and another simply wonderful stream and swimming hole for hot humid, summer days, but that will be another post.

Sunday afternoon, after Michelle's two morning services we had to drive 40 minutes up onto the Atherton Tableland to Mt Molloy. The church and congregation are small but the views looking back to the coast quite splendid in the evening light.

Sitting on the tiny altar was a small vase of stunning hippeastrum. They had short stems because the wallabies had been eating them.

Monday morning, far too early, Jim drove me back to Cairns to catch the Spirit of Queensland back to Brisbane, a 24 hour journey.

Cairn's sunrise farewell.

I wonder how beautiful you have found the north?

I would love to read your comment.