Saturday, October 22, 2011

Road Trip To Mossman

By Anton Maverick


Mossman is a knackered tiny cane city in far north Queensland, roughly sixteen kilometres north of Port Douglas. The road north continues past the turn off to Port Douglas before reaching Mossman. While Port Douglas is directly on the coast and is common in bling and glamour, Mossman is the exact opposite.

Mossman is the last city to stock up with supplies before heading further north into the Daintree World Heritage listed rainforest. In addition to being a typical sugar city, Mossman is a service city to it's own community. The sugar mill is the hub of the town and services the numerous cane farms around the city.

Cane trains run right thru the middle of the town, down on to the mill and do not stop. This leads directly to the fascinating situation of lines of vehicles, either going to, or coming from the Daintree, waiting impatiently to be on their way. The remainder of the world could be running on 'quick ' time, but Mossman does not change. The cane trains always have the right of passage, irrespective of how many well heeled tourists are waiting.

Mossman has some impressive rain-trees on the northwards side of the city, and their adequate foliage really stretches fully across the road, making a natural arbour of welcome shade. The locals have a market every Sat. morning under those rain-trees and they supply a place to chat with neighbours and pals. Sat. morning shopping is fit and healthy in Mossman and everything but the superstore and cafeterias close at midday.

It's a extraordinarily pleasant small stop over both to and from the Daintree. There are 2 lovely small cafeterias that serve great coffee, cake and a very acceptable lunch, before heading off again. The cane fields always magic up images of times gone by and it needs a small town like Mossman to show that some things never change. Mossman is a total must stop during your campervan hire Australia trip.




About the Author:



No comments: