Page 95 - Port Douglas Magazine 36

UNEQUALLED

WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES

TM
OFF THE ZOOTASTIC 5 WILDLIFE
ENCOUNTERS
An exciting, interactive guided tour featuring
5 iconic animals. Cuddle a Koala and receive a souvenir
photo, feed fruit to a cassowary, hold a python or lizard, pat a
GRID wombat, feed friendly birds and wallabies.
Bookings essential, by 4.00pm the day prior. Subject to
availability. Min. age 10 years. Duration of 60 minutes for a
max. of 6 participants.

Daintree Village; a hidden treasure well
worth the visit

WORDS by Byron Filmer PHOTO CREDIT: Reefpix

BREAKFAST WITH THE

KOALAS
Enjoy a delicious cooked breakfast with our friendly
Up past the turn to the ferry, through Humbug Reach, the Do you feel like waking up to the sounds of the rainforest? Why Koala and Wildlife Keeper. Including scrambled eggs, bacon,
Daintree Village lays wedged between the hills surrounded by not book a night at the Daintree Eco Lodge and treat you and your hash browns, sausages and toast with fruit juice, tea or coffee.
rainforest just waiting to be explored by those looking to escape signifi cant other to a luxury spa treatment or a romantic dinner After breakfast, enjoy the scheduled wildlife presentations and a
busy streets and crowded footpaths. overlooking the lagoon to sample some of the delicious locally boat cruise on Hartley's Lagoon.
sourced produce. Bookings essential, by 4.00pm the day prior.
LIFE IN THE DAINTREE If you’re the camping type, settle in and stay the night at the Subject to availability.
Living in the picturesque Daintree Village for the past 14 years has Daintree Riverview Lodges & Van Park and look over the Daintree BIG CROC FEED TM
been a remarkable experience. I am fortunate to have grown up in River as you cook up a feast on the BBQ.
such a stunning place. It was a huge change of scenery from where A personalised guided tour with a Hartley’s
I moved from in Victoria at two years old. I attended the small While you’re in the Daintree take the opportunity to journey along Crocodile Handler.
Daintree State primary school that consisted of only 14 students the vast Daintree River with one of the many cruise operators in the • YOU feed a large Saltwater (Estuarine)
with split classes. Remote education was great and provided a area, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for crocodiles laying in Crocodile
wonderful opportunity for one-on-one learning setting me up well the mangroves taking in the sun, or the native birds residing in the • Learn interesting facts on both Freshwater
for high school. rainforest trees. and Estuarine Crocodiles
Feel like leaving the main road? If so, head towards Upper Daintree • Meet and hold a juvenile Estuarine Crocodile
HISTORY along the dirt road for a different angle of the Daintree River and • Receive a souvenir photo holding a juvenile

The Daintree Village was fi rst established in 1883 as a base for the a view of the lush farmland running through the valley which is croc
red cedar timber industry. It had no road connection to Mossman home to hundreds of Brahman beef cattle for which the area is well • A genuine Big Croc Feed Certificate signed by
until the 1933 meaning each journey out of the village meant a six known. your Crocodile Handler BESPOKE BIRDWORLD
to eight hour horse ride. The village also had no mains electricity If you’re staying in Port Douglas, the Daintree Village is the perfect • Free bottle of chilled water
until 1966. Daintree State School opened in 1924 by which time the little day trip. Stop by for lunch or even spend the night. The town Bookings essential, by 4.00pm the day Located in Kuranda Village. A personalised guided
town consisted of a sawmill, a butter factory, a general store and is a hidden gem within the Daintree Rainforest and in my opinion prior. Subject to availability. Min. age 16 tour with our Birdkeeper before the aviary opens to
many other small businesses. Today the Daintree Village thrives off visiting should 100% be a part of your holiday plan. years. Duration of 45 minutes for a max. of 4 the public. Learn interesting facts about Australian and
tourism and beef cattle farming and still has many friendly long- exotic birds from our passionate Keeper and hand feed fruit
term locals who would be happy to chat about the town’s history. participants. to an endangered cassowary. (Self-drive only).
PERFECT FOR A DAY TRIP! Bookings essential, by 1.00pm the day prior. Subject to
THINGS TO DO The Daintree Village is a 40-minute drive from Port Douglas. availability. Duration of 30 minutes for 2 to 6 participants.
The village welcomes you in as you emerge from the trees onto
the quiet streets lined with homes both old and new. As you travel Bookings essential,
through the town make sure to visit the Daintree Village Hotel for Byron Filmer is a year 10 student from the local Mossman High
some lunch, and while you’re there ask about the rich history that School. Byron joined the team for his work experience week and one scan in the QR Code or go to:
lies within. of his projects was to share with us, and you, an experience he felt
Alternatively, stop by The Croc Xpresso Café to enjoy a coffee and a should be added to your holiday bucket list. www.crocodileadventures.com

snack while you soak up the atmosphere around you. OR www.birdworldkuranda.com

PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 97