Mission Beach to Cairns

Leaving Mission Beach was a wrench - idyllic surrounds.

First stop was Murdering Point Winery - great wines (lychee, passion fruit, Davidson plum) and good ports (Pineapple, Mulberry, Black Sapote). Invested in some port! Hope it travels well.

Scenic detour - lots of suger fields and actually saw some harvesting a train moving the cane to the mills - incredible rail network exclusively for sugar cane!
Stopped at Innisfail for quick reccy on things to do before Cairns.

Bought some pineapple, tomatoes, avocado etc from roadside stall - all grown locally. Then rain started to fall but never mind - we were on our way to Josephine falls - falls supplied from Mt Bartle where approx 12m rain falls per year - true rain forest! Mark's beloved reef sandals finally gave up the ghost following some rock jumping - we now call him flappy!

The next stop was the boulders - flappy was doing his best to keep up! River here just disappears beneath huge boulders.

After a brief drive we were off to Cairns - seems to have grown significantly in last 18 years ( we were advised by Paul of Hannah's birth 18 years ago!). After a couple of hotel enquiries we decided a return stay at Cairns Colonial Resort - slightly concerning as could damage previous memories! Weather remained wet most of day so Colonial Resort was not seen in best light - not the best accommodation we have stayed in but good to revisit.

Went to Cairns town in evening and after lovely Thai meal came across Cane Toad Racing - George was invited to start a race. Organiser called George the Pommie Kid. In his enthusiasm he lifted the bucket too early so toads escaped before starter was ready. George was told to help collect toads for a restart - did not like the feel of them. Then became known as the Woosie Pommie Kid! Good fun and completely unexpected to see this great Aussie pasttime!