Day 8 Australia Adventure (Port Douglas)

Started the day off a little slower. Walked to the Marina shops, then the main streets downtown. Had lunch at our new favorite cafe, The Little Larder.

Drove 1.5 hours north to the Daintree Rainforest to take part in the Daintree Rainforest Tours. On the way up we crossed the Daintree River by ferry, the only way into the forest. It cost $25 for a return (round-trip) ticket. The road is a long and winding road (are you thinking of the Beatles song yet). 

Driving through, we wished we had come up much earlier in the day to check out more of the beaches and specialty shops. 

Living in Washington State this is not a sign we see.

We checked into the Jungle Surfing shop which closed with zip lining services being offered again from April 4, 2024, check out Daintree Treetops Zipline. We don't know what the new experience will be like. We waited for transport up to the site. Our guides wore red and were young men who prefer working away from the city enjoying a life where it's slower and quieter. They've all had a variety of jobs as Dive Masters, Zip-Line Instructors, Bartenders, etc.. They love what they do and have fun doing it. 

Our group consisted of young backpackers, predominantly young women from all over the world. When we arrived we suited up and were given a hard hat with a name we were known as throughout the duration of the adventure. Meet McLovin' "old enough to party" and Pocahontas. Alecia and I led the group, beginning with the human hamster wheel. We got in and walked, towing the first two instructors up to the first tree platform. There were a total of six tree platforms and seven zip-lines. We were followed by Barbie (from Sweden who is one of seven children) and Wonder Woman (from Virginia). 

The first four zips you go with your partner, followed by two solo runs (one performed upside down), ending with a race to the finish. Alecia gave it a good go, but with my long legs, she didn't stand a chance. Super fun!!! We'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Before heading out on our Night Walk we ordered a burger at Cape Trib Beach House, very rustic and caters to backpackers. The food was...eh...okay. We probably should have gone to Whet Cafe Bar Restaurant, but were concerned about time. 

Turns out that if we had missed the Night Walk I wouldn't have been heartbroken and Alecia would have been a heck of a lot less stressed. It was long, it was through the forest floor and very rocky terrain. That was fine. No worries. Unfortunately, the main sightings throughout the two-hour journey consisted of spiders, spiders, and more spiders. One of which had her enormous web in the center of where we needed to go. As a guest, we couldn't go through it, over it, or around it. We had to go under it. By under I don't mean "walk". This required on the ground maneuvering. To see the look on her face..., "Wait, we're doing what?" And then, "I am NEVER speaking to you again!". HAHA! She wasn't the only one who was not pleased, as I helped two other young women through after Alecia. Meanwhile, the guide's talking about snakes.... 🐍😕 We did get to see a Forrest Dragon, he was the hi-light of the trip. Alecia declared if there is ever an actual Jurassic Park she will definitely NOT be going. We wouldn't recommend this activity. 

Go early to the Daintree, stop at all the beaches, go to the shops, try the organic ice cream (let us know how it tasted 😋), zip-line and call it a day.