001.  VISIT the VILLAGE in the VALLEY
Daintree Village (population 100) is 20 kms by sealed road, into the valley, from its entrance at Wonga Beach. Situated on the banks of the famous Daintree River, the Village is clean, green and picturesque. The Daintree Village Jetty, one of the departure points for river cruises, is a short stroll downhill from the General Store in the main street.
002. BREAKFAST with the BIRDS
This is the real McCoy. In the centre of the Daintree Village is Pioneers Park with a free electric Bar-B-Q. There is a picnic table, shelter shed, fresh water tap and a rubbish bin. It has become a gathering place after the dawn wildlife tour on the river. The park is on the edge of some rainforest which is in the sun early morning and is a good bird spot. All you need to bring are the groceries, nearest supplies are at the Daintree Store.
003. DAINTREE VILLAGE NATURAL WALK
Starts in the village. Click here for: Daintree Village Natural Walk
004. LOOKOUT for a FLOOD LEVEL
Look out for the March 1996 flood level as you walk down to the Daintree Village Jetty, it is higher than you could imagine, most of the valley looked like an inland sea. To get an idea of how much a river can rise with one and a half metres of rain stand alongside the toilet block, on the corner of Stewart's and Dagmar Streets, and imagine starting your river tour there instead of where the Jetty is actually located.
005. BEHOLD the BIG BARRAMUNDI
Traveling around Australia you have probably come across the "bigs" whether it is a big banana, big pineapple or a big prawn. Daintree has it's own, the Big Barramundi, in the main street. Try some trick photography.
006. PICK a PICNIC SPOT (one of four, the others are 001, 007 & 051)
Next to the Daintree Village Shire Hall, in Osborne Street, is a children's playground with swings and seesaw, picnic tables and public toilet.
007. PICK a PICNIC SPOT (third of four)
Next to the Daintree Village Jetty overlooking the river are some picnic tables and there is one in the lower carpark.
008. HISTORIC HERITAGE
Daintree Village, being the only main centre for miles in the late 19th century, is steeped in history. The Village was supplied by boats using the high spring tides to get them up the shallow river. It wasn't long before there was a bridle path to Mossman and ultimately a road. The present 2 lane sealed road, is in part, recently completed, 1996. The oldest building is the Timber Gallery in Stewart's Street which was built in 1925. It is made from timber milled at where, stands today, the Daintree Riverview Caravan Park. An important part of the eco systems here are the termites which eat timber. It is quite amazing that this buildings is still standing. It may seem unusual , especially if you are from Europe, to marvel at a building less than 100 years old, but there are precious few left from our early days.
The old style shops opposite the Big Barramundi were rebuilt in 1996. Sadly the original shops burnt down in Nov 1995, the General Store was the oldest, also built in 1925. Sensibly the owners rebuilt to their former style in character with the Village atmosphere.
009. TIMBER GALLERY
Natures rainbow, captured in Australian native timbers. For over 20 years the Daintree Timber Gallery has sourced only the most unique to create their globally acclaimed works of art and utility woodware. The Timber Gallery is next to the Big Barramundi al fresco restaurant in Stewart's Street.
010. OGLE an ORIGINAL
Directly opposite the Big Barramundi is Daintree Originals and the information centre run by the Crocodile Express which is a tour boat company. Areas like Daintree attract crafts people and this charming shop is a retail outlet for them. Imagine ear-rings made from a palm tree that dries as hard as a rock! The owner takes a lot of care to find original merchandise for the shop. A low cost souvenir for someone at home.
011. POST a PARCEL
Like most country stores the Daintree General Store is also the Daintree Post Office. Instead of carrying around all those special gifts Barney will be only too happy to mail them for you to anywhere in the world. They still talk about the young fellow who mailed a coconut home.
012. WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Visit pristine old growth rainforest at Cooper Creek Wilderness with a local expert.  Experience awe-inspiring fan palm galleries in the heart of the world's oldest rainforest.  www.ccwild.com
013. EYEBALL ELIZA's pottery gnomes
Next door to Daintree Originals is Liz Bright's studio, gallery and workshop. Indulge your 'away with the fairies' fantasies by a walk through Liz & Ivan's delightful garden which leads the way to the studio.
014. DAINTREE at DAWN
Start the day with an extraordinary wildlife tour on the river from the Daintree Village Jetty. Chris Dahlberg has been taking out small groups in his open boat since 1992. About 50 wildlife species can be seen on a normal trip, most of them being birds. The tour last 2 hours and departs at 6.30am in the winter and 6.00am in the Summer. e-mail Chris or Telephone 4098 7997
015. BREAKFAST after the BIRDS
Restaurants open for breakfast in the Daintree Village are Ellenor's Place and the Big Barramundi, Stewarts Street phone 4098 6186 & 4098 6146. Back on the Daintree Road is the Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa next to Barratt Creek bridge and the Crossroads Café at the ferry turn off. In the low season the restaurants/cafes in the village may not open till later.
016. BUSHWHACK a BUSH-STONE CURLEW (one of two viewing spots)
During the night often a distant wailing sound can be heard close to the Village. It is the call of the nocturnal Bush-stone Curlew. They sleep by day on the ground just back from the bank of the river downstream from the Jetty. A stealthy walk from the lower carpark will let you see them and if you are quiet and don't go too close no harm will be done.
017. PHONE a PAL
There are only 4 public telephones in the Daintree Valley south of the river. One in the Village outside the Daintree Store, another in the carpark at the ferry crossing, Wonga Beach Road near the intersection with Oasis Drive and one at Caltex Wonga Beach. Mobile phones do not work in all parts of the Valley. Wonga Beach seems the best place for reception.
018. BINOCULAR A BIRD ( www.daintree.info/daintreebirdwatching.html )
Daintree Village is a good place for birdwatching. One of the best walks can be done from the village. Start at the beginning of Stewart's Creek Road alongside Pioneers Park. This follows the river upstream and has very light traffic, be careful of it. The road will take you along the cliff above the river and then down through some rainforest , across a creek, more rainforest and then out onto the grass covered floodplain and along to the Stewart's Creek bridge. This is not far from where the film The Thin Red Line was shot in 1997. Not only look out for birds but listen for them as well especially in the rainforest parts. Some birds like the Lovely Fairy-wren are small but can be quite colourful. Lovely Fairy-wrens are only found in Cape York, of which Daintree is at the southern end, and the female is the most colourful of all the fairy-wrens in Australia.
019. OBSERVE an OSPREY (one of three nesting spots)
Ospreys are universal sea hawks and great symbols of conservation. They are found in every continent, except Antarctica, and it was in the eggshell of Ospreys that DDT was found. Loosely translated this chemical was sprayed to kill insects which were then eaten by fish which were then eaten by Ospreys and the chemical then concentrated at the end of the food chain. One noticeable symptom was the seriously weakened eggshell. The same story with the Peregrine Falcon. DDT was eventually banned because of this remarkable find. Ospreys thrive in Australia. There are 2, easy to find, nests. One is in the telecommunications tower near the entrance to the village. This nest was first built in 2001.
020. SPY on a SWIFTLET
Imagine a little bird without feet and legs and behaves like a bat. The White-rumped Swiftlet is only found in this corner of Australia and is one of the smallest swifts in the world. It is often found near the main river lookout where they scoop the water surface taking a drink. They have very stiff wings and glide a lot with their wings pointing below the horizontal. Rarely alone they can be found by the side of the road also, going backwards and forwards over grass eating their insect prey. At dusk they use echo-location to navigate their way into their dark night roost.
021. LOOK from a LOOKOUT
There are some truly magnificent views to be had from lookouts over the river along the last 4 kms of the Daintree Road approaching the Village. The two southernmost ones afford good looks from Humbug Reach and from the northernmost one you can see the mouth to Barratt Creek and the length of Windy Reach.
022. CREEP up on a CROCODILE
On winter mornings the sun shines on the northern bank of the river at Humbug Reach right opposite two of the lookouts above (021.) If the tide is lowish sandy patches emerge. With those conditions, very often a crocodile can be viewed, by the naked eye, lying in the sun. The clues are; winter (May to Aug), lowish tide, and sun. During the last four winters crocodiles have also been seen, on the far side of the river, from the Daintree Jetty during the day. And it is not unusual to see one at dawn or dusk swimming.
023. SET UP your SUNSET
The third lookout over Windy Reach is good for a glorious sunset. A deck chair, glass of wine, piece of cheese, camera on the tripod for the time exposure...........................
024. NATURE in NUMBERS
One of the most spectacular Daintree nature shows is from the Windy Reach lookout, in late Spring/early Summer, at dusk, if the Spectacled Flying-foxes have set up their maternity camp in Barratt Creek. The flying-foxes at this time of year fan themselves for most of the day. They become very dehydrated and right on dusk they fly down to the water in Windy Reach, just in front of the lookout, drink on the wing and then fly off into the sunset. Crocodiles are more active at this time of the year and may lie in wait for the flying-foxes as they come down to drink. Be early the twilight is quick, for times just check the time of twilight on the day before.
025. SPRUCE up at a SPA
The Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa is 3 kms south of the Daintree Village. The "Day Spa" and restaurant are open to the public, albeit, somewhat expensive. However if a treat is what you are looking for, it's the place for pampering.
026. MAKE out a MOUNTAIN
Our local mountain is Thornton's Peak and is only accessible on foot. It is about 1500 metres high making it the third highest mountain in Queensland. The taller two are not much higher and are just to the south of Cairns. Australian mountains are not high. You cannot always see the top but you maybe fortunate enough to be driving on a "Thornton Peak Clear Day".
027. ASSAULT an ATM (Automated Teller Machine)
There is only one ATM in the Daintree Valley. It is at Caltex Wonga Service Station at Wonga Beach and is only accessible during shop hours, 5.30 am to 7.30pm. The one at the Daintree General Store in the village closed in Nov 06.
The nearest banks are in Mossman. The Daintree businesses take most credit cards and the General Store has EFTPOS. American Express is accepted at the Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa.
028. RELAX IN A RESTAURANT
The only air-conditioned restaurant in Daintree is Papaya Café in the Village. If you wish to be cool at lunch during the hot months this one is for you.
029. CLIMB THE CANOPY TOWER
Climb the Canopy Tower…at the Daintree Discovery Centre. At 23 m (76 feet) high, it provides the most amazing insight into the surrounding rainforest – from the forest floor to the upper most reaches of the canopy.  The Canopy Tower is cyclone rated, has 5 large viewing platforms and is used by James Cook Uni to measure carbon flux as part of the Centre’s Carbon Offset project. With specially built raised walks to protect the fragile root systems of the rainforest, the Discovery Centre is open daily (except Christmas Day) from 8.30am to 5pm. Phone 61 7 4098 9171
030. BAG a BARRAMUNDI
Of the many species of fish to be found in the Daintree River, Barramundi is probably the most sort after for tag and releases or eating. Large Barramundi have been caught from the Daintree Village Jetty with the simplest of hand lines. The Daintree Store and CaltexService Station at Wonga Beach carry bait and tackle.
031. INFORM an INFORMATION CENTRE
The people that own Information Centres are often that busy in their centre that they might miss something interesting or a new product. They would be only to pleased to hear from you of any new and interesting activities that you discover whilst you are in the area. There are three "Information centres" in the Village.
032. COFFEE at the CROSSROADS
The Crossroads Café is on the Daintree Road at the ferry turn off. It is also open for breakfast which slots in nicely with Chris Dahlberg's dawn river tour.
033. MEET a MAGPIE GOOSE
Most parts of the world have a wild goose. Ours is the Magpie Goose that was once found almost anywhere in Australia. These days it is only found in the north. Sometimes at dawn or dusk you can find them flying in formation not far from the Crossroads Café. To make sure of it however look in the billabong to the north of the ferry road. They can hide in the long grass but sometimes they are seen in the trees.
034. NAVIGATE the NATIONAL TRAIL
The National Trail idea was conceived by R M Williams. The two ends are Cooktown and Melbourne and it can be traversed on foot, trail bike, by horse or by donkey. Daintree is in the northern section. The very few that traverse it travel over Dagmar Range following the powerline to Stewart's Creek Road and come into the village. The way continuing north is basically the Upper Daintree Road to the CREB track which partly circumnavigates Thornton's Peak and comes down to the Bloomfield River near Wujal Wujal Mission.
035. CAUTION with a CANE TOAD
Two Cairns cane farmers were visiting Hawaii in 1935 and found that the South American Cane Toad was useful there eating insect pests. It was introduced here the same year. Be careful, they have 2 poisonous sacs on the side of the head. They hide during the day but become active of a night. They can be seen on the roads or around lights that are attracting insects. Did their introduction help the cane farmer? Well errr..No.
035. PACE a PLOVER
One of the common birds to be found in the open areas that you might want to walk is the Masked Lapwing. It is a large plover that breeds all year round and nests on the open ground. It's defence of the nest is to fly out of the sun and dive bomb anything that comes close The catch is, the bird has a spur in it's wing that sticks out like a cannon on the wing of a jet fighter.
036. COUNTRY CABINS
Situated at the southern end of the Daintree Village is Kenadon Homestead Self Contained Cabins with a tropical landscaped swimming pool & BBQ area. A working cattle station owner operated by the Osborne family, whose family history in Daintree dates back four generations. They were amongst the first settlers and pioneers of the area and one of two families whose descendents continue to live in Daintree. Good value for families and couples wishing to self cater. Phone/fax 4098 6142 Other Daintree accommodation options can be found here: Daintree accommodation>>
037. CAMPING, CARAVANNING & CABINS
Daintree Riverview Caravan Park is located in the main street of the Village, overlooking the river. Phone 4098 6119
038. ENCOUNTER an ESCAPE
Located in Stewart Street, just up from Pioneers Park in the Village, is Daintree Escape Tropical Cabins with spacious grounds and an in-ground swimming pool. The only accommodation property in the Village which advertises internet access and only one of two accommodation houses that has covered car parking. Contact Kathy and Simon Phone 4098 6021 Fax 4098 6023
039. SAVOR a SECRET
Executive Style Holiday Retreat located in the heart of the Tropical World Heritage Listed Daintree Cape Tribulation area. Fully furnished accommodation set amongst three acres of luxurious rainforest with its own secluded creek, swimming hole, and beautiful wildlife......pure indulgence for couples, families or for the perfect honeymoon.. See their web site: www.daintreesecrets.com.au
040. COUNTRY COTTAGES
Three self contained timber cottages, situated away from each other and the main homestead to ensure your privacy. Riverhome Cottages are in upper Daintree 5 kms upstream from the Village. A working cattle station with access to it's own waterfall. Phone 4098 6225
041. CAUGHT in the CLOUDS
Cloud 9 is an up market accommodation pole house with spectacular views over the Daintree Valley. 3kms short of the Village it really is up in the clouds. Built of timber by Gerry Steen who was the original owner operator of the Timber Gallery in Daintree Village. Phone/fax 4098 6177.
042. IDENTIFY with INDIGENOUS
Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa is a 5 star resort located along the Daintree Road 3kms short of the Village. The Day Spa uses indigenous products and is open to the public. Tollfree 1800 808010.
043. KINDRED SPIRITS at KINGFISHER (Julatten)
Whilst not close to Daintree Village (60 minutes drive in to the Tablelands) Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge deserves a mention. It is the opposite of the 5 star lodges cramped onto small land areas. Kingfisher Park has space and varied accommodation. If you are a serious birdwatcher then this is one of three Tableland accommodation places to make your base and the closest to drive to Daintree Village Jetty for Chris Dahlberg's dawn tour. Julatten is in the northern part of the tablelands and is close to the drier and more typical Australian countryside. It is also next to Mount Lewis where the endemic birds and mammals can be found. Phone 4094 1263 Fax 4094 1466.
044. TEA TIME
The Daintree Tea House is located along the Daintree Road 2kms short of the Daintree Village and alongside Barratt's Creek Bridge. This bridge is a one lane bridge with a Give Way sign posted on it's southern side. So take care when approaching it on your way into the Village. Also take care when leaving the Village in the event that any on-coming traffic does not notice the Give Way sign.
045. BUY A BUSINESS e-mail Chris (Confidentiality assured)
There is usually a business for sale somewhere in Daintree. As we enter the tourist season there are less for sale. There is a restaurant and a boat business for sale for $150 000 each. The boat business includes all the permits, the boat and promotional material.
046. SAIL a SLOOP
Port Douglas, 45 minutes drive from Daintree, has a Sailing Club and a Yacht Club Phone 4099 4386. They run WAGS (Wednesday afternoon gentlemen's sailing) where you can join the crew of an ocean racing boat for a few hours and go sailing with them. The Lonely Planet have publicised this and it has been reported to us that about 50 backpackers turn up on a Wednesday looking for a free ride. There are several sailing boats operate from Port Douglas, Synergy II, Animal Farm, Ragamuffin and Shaolin (Chinese Junk). Slipway and 2 Marinas (Closehaven & Mirage) with public moorings organised by the Douglas Shire Council at Mossman. There is usually plenty of room to anchor upstream.
O47. PICK PINNACLES
Pinnacle Village Holiday Park is a 4 star caravan park with cabins and two swimming pools at Wonga Beach. The feedback from their customers is consistently good. FREECALL 1800 222 728
048. RENT a RIVER BOAT
Hire a boat (no boat drivers licence needed) 4 passenger motor boats for hire from 6.00am. Minimum 3 hour hire for $70 and $10 per hour thereafter. Phone: 4098 6019 These are available from the Daintree Riverview Caravan Park.
Also at the Public Pontoon on the south side of the river and just upstream from the ferry. $ 80 for 4 hours or $140 for 8 hours. Phone 4090 7789.
049. CATCH a CATAMARAN
Two World Heritage Areas - One Great Day! Leave the crowds behind as you step off the pristine sands of Cape Tribulation and set off for The Great Barrier Reef to enjoy a full day snorkelling or Diving, discovering our fantastic Marine Park. Rumrunner Cruises Phone 4098 9330   Rumrunner website>>

When you first drive into the Daintree Valley at Rocky Point you see the Coral Sea. The beach that goes from here to the Daintree River mouth is called Wonga Beach. The beach and most of the land just behind it is public and visitors are welcome. Do not swim in the sea during the summer months of Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr and May without a stinger suit. Marine "stingers" may be present. The Box jelly-fish that is here then has been known to kill. Check with the locals. See also Marine Stinger advice.
050. BECOME a BEACHCOMBER
Wonga Beach is littered with treasures. You never know what you will find next. I have found coconuts with messages from other beachcombers. Flotsam of all kinds are found on the beach. Wonga is the locals beach for, south of the river Daintree-ites.
051. PICK a PICNIC SPOT (fourth of the four)
At the Daintree Road end of the beach is the Wonga Community Park. It has toilets, shelter sheds, BMX track, playground, cold water tap and an undercover free electric Bar-B-Q. See 056 for BBQ supplies.
052. CATCH a COMMUNITY AT WORK
Alongside the Bar-B-Q is a notice board with information on beach protection. You can see quite clearly that it is a community conservation project with government agencies, the Douglas Shire Council and the local community. There are good interpretative posters on display.
053. LOOK for LIFU
There are some early 20th century graves near here (see 052). Two children's graves are marked by a large rock with brass plaques near the Bar-B-Q. Along the public reserve behind number 33 Marlin Drive, access is via a public walkway between nos. 35 and 37 Marlin Drive across from Lifu Close, lies Charley Lifu's grave. Charley was a hero. The inscription on the headstone is still clear and worth reading.
054. SEEK out a SEED
The prevailing winds are the south-east trade winds and the Daintree River mouth and this north-west corner of Trinity Bay are a natural funnel for mangrove seeds from out of the Pacific Ocean. Almost all mangrove seeds/pods are big and float. The array of shapes is fantastic. The Cannonball Mangrove is nature's Rubik's Sphere. Once the outer skin has gone there are 16 parts when together form a sphere but when apart are irregular except for one side which is curved. Matchbox Bean and Keelpod seeds are some of the other big common ones.
055. PICK up a PUMICE
The only stone that floats. In 1985 there was a volcanic eruption under the Coral Sea that cascaded huge amounts of pumice onto the sea's surface. The trade winds deposited it along Queensland's northern coast where it can still be found above the high tide mark along Wonga Beach.
056. FILL up with FUEL. CALTEX WONGA BEACH (and Banking with a limited ATM)
The Caltex Service Station on the Captain Cook Highway at Wonga Beach just after you drive into the Daintree Valley is the only car fuel outlet for the Daintree Valley. It also carries gas for campers and is the local shop with a good variety of grocery supplies for the self catering holiday maker. There are some take-away/out options and clean toilets. Shower facilities available for small cost. Kathy sells stamps and there is a post-box and public phone there. Open from 5.30am to 7.30pm. If you are driving to the dawn wildlife tour in Daintree this is a good spot to pick up some supplies for a bar-b-q breakfast after the tour.
057. RECONNOITRE a REEF
During our winter, on the spring tides, there are very low afternoon tides and the coastal reef is exposed for a short while. The reef does not look as spectacular as the outer Great Barrier Reef but is much more robust and can tolerate the more turbid conditions experienced during the winter south-east trade winds.
058. HOP on a HORSE
Daintree River Horse Rides near Daintree Village. Phone 0409 627 434.
059. Blank.

060. FIND a FRIGATEBIRD
Moderate to strong wind in the form of south-east trade winds are present for about 200 days a year. Statistically there are 2 cyclones that form out in the Coral Sea and travel down the coast causing very strong winds out to sea. Sea birds like Frigatebirds come into the coast and the bigger rivers like the Daintree. There could be worse things happen than being a happy beachcomber with their feet up at Wonga Community Park and counting frigatebirds on a rotten weather day.
061. WORK the WEB
Only two places, Daintree Escape see 038 above, and Pinnacle Village, 047 above.
062. CAMP on the COAST
 On Wonga Beach Esplanade is one of the last of few remaining Douglas Shire owned caravan park and camping grounds. Disappearing from some of the best locations are old caravan parks, unfortunately the land has become so valuable and large corporations are buying them for resort accommodation. Hopefully this park is here to stay. It is basic but has a clean toilet and shower block and a sheltered camper's kitchen. And is situated right on the beach. Wonga Beach Caravan Park.
063. MASSAGE TO MAINTAIN YOUR WELLBEING
Daintree Massage at Wonga Beach, The Gateway to the Daintree, with Denise Collins a Qualified Massage Therapist. Swedish, Aromatherapy, Thermotherapy (hot stone massage) and Deep Tissue Massage. Phone 07 4098 7997 www.daintreemassage.com
064. OBSERVE an OSPREY (second and third of three nests)
On the corner of Wonga Beach Road and the Daintree Road is a telecommuications tower with an Osprey's nest on it. (See 018) This nest has been there for years and there is often activity and vocalisations at it. There is enough room on Wonga Beach Road to park the car and wait a while to see what happens. Same thing at Port Douglas has been reported at their telecom tower on Flagstaff Hill Lookout.
065. BEACH BIRDWALK
What brings birdwatchers to certain areas are new birds for them to see. If they are endemic to that area or are rare so much the better. So what has Wonga Beach got to offer visiting birdwatchers? The three main species that will attract them are; Gould's Bronze-Cuckoo, Double-eyed Fig-Parrot and the Beach Stone-curlew. This cuckoo is one of the smallest cuckoos in the world and, in Australia, can only be found on the north-east coast of Cape York. The Fig-Parrot is also very small and has an even smaller range whilst the Beach Stone-curlew has a larger range but is fairly big. All three can be found here. See website.
066. BUSHWACK a BUSH STONE-CURLEW (second of two viewing spots)
Just like near the village these wailing night birds can be found on the ground during the day. They tend to be on the public reserve between the beach and the first row of houses or vacant blocks. One reliable spot is near Charley Lifu's grave.
067. LAUNCH a LINER (one of three boat ramps)
There are three boat launching ramps in the valley. There is one at Rocky Point at the southern end of Wonga Beach. This ramp is exposed to the elements more than the other two. It can be nice and calm at dawn when you launch but when you come back in the afternoon it could be almost impossible to retrieve your boat safely.
068. NAMING NAMES.
You can see more of the coast from Rocky Point than anywhere else. To the South on a clear day what looks to be an Island shows up. It was named "Island Point" by George Elphingstone Dalrymple who also name the river after his friend Richard Daintree. It is not an island but a point that looks like an island and so by naming it this way he provided an explanation for mariners following in his wake. These days it is known as Port Douglas.
069. BATTING a BALL
Mossman Cricket Club 4098 3003 Mossman Bowls Club 4098 1434 Mossman Squash Club 4098 2354
070. CLOSE CAPITALS
The capital of Queensland is Brisbane almost 2000 kms to the south-east. Starting with Port Moresby there are three other capitals closer than Brisbane. The others are Darwin, Noumea and Jayapura (Irian Jaya).
071. CORAL SEA CONFLICT
It is this sea that you are looking at from Wonga Beach where the Coral Sea Battle took place in May 1942. It was between the Japanese Navy and the US Navy supported by the Royal Australian Navy. It was the first time in history that a naval battle took place where the opposing navies could not see each other and a major turning point in the World War 2. There is a bomb memorial in the Whyanbeel Valley near Wonga Beach.
072. MUNCH A MANGO
In the early summer months the mangos ripen and fall from the trees near the esplanade areas of Wonga Beach and alongside most roads. They are almost always on public land and free for the taking.
073. CONTROVERSIAL COCONUTS
Coconuts are everywhere and have hundreds of uses. They are also potentially dangerous. Do not go under nut laden trees especially in strong wind and at dusk. Again most are on public land and so fallen nuts are free. To get to the nut is hard work if you don't have the right equipment, like a pick concreted into the ground, a kind local make give you a hand. The controversy rages between the council who have a duty of care to the public and locals whose livelihood depends on the nuts. For coconut milk drinks and coconut crafts take in the Sunday Markets at Port Douglas.
074. SOUTH SEA
The latest "South Pacific" film was shot just south of Rocky Point. The shire has hosted other films such "The Thin Red Line" in the Upper Daintree Valley, "Paradise Lost" and the Spielberg's Pacific WW2 series.. At this part of the coastline the sea contrasts sharply according to the weather, season and time of day. Early morning in Summer with the sunrise and no wind gives that South Pacific feeling whereas in winter in the middle of the day the sea is choppy and turbid with the stirred up silt.
075. BUILD a BONFIRE
Wonga Beach is a natural driftwood depository. It takes hardly any time at all to collect enough for a bonfire. The best way to do it would be to start the collecting late afternoon and have the fire at night. Be sure to put it out when you have finished with it. Don't put sand over the ashes douse it with buckets of water, put it out and leave the ashes visible.
Note1. Bonfires on the beach are legal according to the Douglas Shire Council.
Note 2. A three year old girl was badly burnt recently (September 2007) after walking on to an old fire camouflaged by sand causing a lot of grief to the girl, her family, doctors, nurses, myself and the local hospital.
Note 3. The people who had the fire probably thought they had done the right thing by putting sand over the fire. True, it put the fire out but the sand held the heat and an innocent toddler was badly hurt by walking onto the camouflaged fire.

076. GRAB a GAZETTE
Our local paper, The Port Douglas & Mossman Gazette, comes out each Thursday and is available from the Daintree Store and Caltex Wonga. It is interesting and seems to have a little for everyone, real estate, letters to the editor, sports, TV guide, specials at the supermarkets and hardware, trades, positions vacant etc etc
077. YING and YANG at YOGA
Yoga classes are conducted at Daintree Palms Resort every Wednesday morning, 10:00 to 11:30am and Wednesday nights, 7:00 to 8:30pm. (Venue changing Jan 2008)
Yoga classes are also conducted in the village at the hall on Monday nights at 6pm.
078. GET into GOLF
The Mossman Golf Club is on the corner of the Daintree Road and the Newell Beach turn off. It is a club without all the hype and expense of the some other clubs in the region. Considered an excellent club with all the facilities including meals it also happens to be one of the best places, after Wonga Beach, to find Double-eyed Fig-Parrots.
079. LIVE it up at LIVE THEATRE
Diane Cilento's KARNACK theatre is in the Wyanbeel Valley north of Mossman township. Some may remember Diane as the Award winning actress and ex-wife of James Bond - Sean Connery. Now widow of Anthony Shaffer internationally acclaimed playwright of works such as Sleuth which became a Hollywood movie. Phone 4098 144/94 Fax 4098 8191.
080. CAPTURED at the CLINK
The Clink Theatre is located in Port Douglas which is only a 45 minute drive from the Daintree Village. Their web site is a long way out of date and overdue for updating. The Clink hosts around 4 plays per year and is also the venue for live music from visiting performers.
081. EYE an ENDEMIC
In Queensland's Wet Tropics there are 12 mammals and 13 birds that live here and only here. About 75% of the birds and 85% of the mammals are not found at sea-level so a trip to the Tablelands is recommended. See 043, Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge.
082. SEEK out the SANCTUARY
Daintree Mangroves Wildlife Sanctuary has it all. Sanctuary, aviaries, crocodile show, cassowaries, emus, BYO restaurant (to be licenced in the future), souvenir shop and accommodation (entry to Sanctuary is free for overnight guests), swimming pool. It is situated 3 kms from Rocky Point.
See their website: www.daintreewild.com.au
083. TIME the TIDES
Click on our weather and tides page for local Tide Times.
085. Check your CLOCK
During the summer months Queensland does not move to daylight saving time. The rest of Australia does.
086. BOAT BITS
Caltex Wonga Service Station has a surprising array of boat equipment as well as bait & tackle and ice to keep your catch chilled.
087. DEPEND on a DOCTOR
We hope you don't need one but just in case: Mossman Medical Centre 40981248 and Mountain View Medical Centre 40981711. For after hours emergencies Mossman Hospital 40982444.
088. TREAT THE TEETH
Mossman Dentist Dr Paul Loxton 4098 1911. Port Douglas Dennis Blake 4099 4445.
089. RELIABLE RESCUE
Broken down, "who you gonna call?" For automobiles RACQ; Burmack's at Mossman 4098 2848, north of the Daintree River, Cow Bay Cars 4098 9037. Or if in the Tablelands Mt Molloy Service Centre 4094 1260.
Should you come across injured native wildlife call Daintree Wildlife Rescue on 4098 9079 or Mobile: 0428 736 029.
090. LOOKING for LIONS
Mossman Lions Club 4098 2080.
091. WORKING with WOMEN
Mossman QCWA (Queensland Country Women's Association) Jean Adams 4098 1479 or Joyce Andersen on 4098 1323.
092. MAKE out MORESBY
The capital of Papua New Guinea is Port Moresby. It is a mere 420 nautical miles away almost due magnetic north from Rocky Point or line up the right hand edge of Snapper Island.
093. CATCHING up on CHURCH
Mossman Anglican Church Sunday 7.30am phone 4098 1181 for service times at the Anglican Church in Upper Daintree (when in Upper Daintree via Stewarts Creek Road and across Stewarts Creek Bridge this quaint church is worth a look). It is on public land abutting the first property, in the area, bequeathed to an aboriginal man, Mr Fischer, whose descendants still reside in the Daintree/Wonga area.
Mossman Catholic Chruch in Grogan Street services on Saturday at 6.30pm and Sunday morning at 7am.
094. COLLECT a COCONUT
Daintree Palms Resort is right on the beach at Wonga and set amongst what was once a coconut plantation. It has a very large lagoon style swimming pool, restaurant, public bar, gaming room, laundrette, accommodation, tennis courts, mini martt, bottle shop and eftpos. It must be the best value beachfront resort in Australia. They feed their pet Barramubdi daily at no set time.  Phone 4098 7871 Fax 4098 7520.
095. LIGHT from LOW
Low Isles Lighthouse was one of the last manned lighthouses in Australia. Ernie Low was a 'keeper of the light' and now resides along the main road into Mossman where you can see his timber mobiles decorating his front fence. A great photo opportunity but please respect his privacy and No, he does not make them for resale.
096. DAINTREE RAINFOREST
This is a large site with lots of information pertaining to the Daintree rainforest: web site
097. PACE a PLOVER
One of the common birds to be found in the open areas that you might want to walk is the Masked Lapwing. It is a large plover that breeds all year round and nests on the open ground. It's defence of the nest is to fly out of the sun and dive bomb anything that comes close The catch is, the bird has a spur in it's wing that sticks out like a cannon on the wing of a jet fighter.
098. FISHING
There are three fishing tours available in Daintree. Details are on this: web site
099. Blank.

100. Catch up on a Community
The Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre in Port Douglas is one of the major community centres in the Douglas Shire. Here is their web site: www.pdnc.org.au
101. HANG out with the HANG GLIDERS
Rex Lookout is on the way to Daintree from Cairns on the Captain Cook Highway. it is about halfway between Cairns and Port Douglas and there is lots of parking. There are not only hang gliders there on windy days; some of the locals fly their model gliders there as well: Model gliders.