Day 275 - Daintree NP, Australia

DAINTREE NATIONAL PARK (03/10/09)

From Port Douglas we drove north into the Daintree National Park where we took a boat up the Daintree River and through the mangrove swamps. One of Adam's ambitions for the year was finally realised- to find and photograph a wild snake. This has now been upgraded to finding and photographing a wild venomous snake- this tree python is a harmless constrictor. Nevertheless Adam was as happy as a pig in a shed.

As if one snake was not enough five minutes later we spotted another, larger tree python. It was so long that it didn't all fit in the picture.

Adam would probably have remained happy for the next week with just the snakes but shortly afterwards his day was really made when we spotted this enormous male Saltwater Crocodile.

He was HUGE. Saltwater Crocodiles are the largest and most aggressive Crocoldilian species and adult males can grow up to 7 metres (about 21ft). This one was about 6 metres (18ft) and probably weighs just over a ton. It is really not a good idea to swim in the rivers in this area.

Disturbed from his rest by the noisy boat he set off lazily across the river to find a quieter spot with no teasingly out of reach lunch items gawking at him.



Up past the river lies the Daintree rainforest, one of the largest untouched areas of forest still remaining in Australia. Access is strictly limited but the short network of well-trodden tracks were perfect for getting a feel for the dense tropical jungle.

Amazingly the wildlife just seemed to be desperate to find us for once. This Cassowary actually crossed the path right in front of us, just a couple of steps away. These large, flightless birds are an endangered species and we were very lucky to see one in the wild.

Delighted with our luck we followed the poor bird around for over an hour. It didn't seem too bothered by our prescence, they are over 5ft tall and it was probably fully aware that a kick from those powerful clawed feet could easily deal with us, probably permanently.

In the forest these huge Fan Palms grow all around like... well, fans really.

The Daintree is also home to some beautiful rainforest fringed stretches of beach although swimming is not advisable due to the possibility of crocodiles.

Once again those witty Aussie road sign defacers had been at work. What had once been a speed hump warning had become an even clearer message of what might become of the endangered Cassowary if drivers did not start paying better attention.