North to Mossman
Leaving Kuranda behind, we headed slightly further north and pulled up at Newell Beach, a quiet spot just outside Mossman. Camping among the palms with the beach only a short stroll away, it was the kind of base we love, close to town but with a relaxed coastal feel.
Mossman itself was a pleasant surprise. The weekend market was the standout, full of fresh produce, handmade goods, and plenty of character. The town still has that small, North Queensland charm about it.
Our visit to Mossman Gorge, on the other hand, left us a bit underwhelmed. While undeniably beautiful, the experience felt polished and packaged, leaning more towards a tourist attraction than the raw natural wonder we’d been expecting. We’d seen a lot of wild places by this point in our travels, and this one didn’t quite deliver the same sense of discovery. The busloads of tourists determined to get their ‘Insta shots’ while being warned not to swim were out of control!
An unexpected detour back to Cairns for a spare fridge part turned out to be less of an inconvenience and more of a great day out! The coastal road between Port Douglas and Cairns is one of the most scenic drives in Australia. Twisting along the cliffs with the Coral Sea sparkling beside us, it was hard not to enjoy the trip. A quick stop at Yorky’s Knob gave us a giggle too…some names are just made for postcards.
From Mossman, we turned inland, pointing the van towards Cooktown. We broke the journey at Palmer River Roadhouse, a classic outback stop with fuel, a feed, and a place to rest for the night. From there, the road to Cooktown, our northermost point on this trip, beckoned. But that’s a story for our next update.
Exploring the unbeaten paths of Australia, one adventure at a time! 🌿 Follow along as we uncover hidden gems, tackle rugged terrains, and head Off the Main Road to embrace the thrill of exploring offbeat destinations. 🚙💨
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