There is a 2km long Esplanade that runs along the waterfront and which Nathan and I ran every other day and there is also multiple different FREE (we love free) exercise classes that run everyday. I did Thai chi at 6.30am one morning and loved it. Nathan didn't join me for this one. I did get ill during our stay in Cairns which wasn't great, so didn't do that much, spent most of our time by the lagoon.
Oh and this was our 4 bed dorm room at Global Backpackers which we shared with 2 lovely German girls.
All in all, I loved our time in Cairns (minus being ill).
Our next stop was northwards to Port Douglas. This was after we picked up our Spaceship Campervan. Bright orange, with a DVD player, a real fridge and an extendable back.
When we picked up the camper, the guy that worked there told us he was doing the Port Douglas Triathlon the following day. He was super tall and lean but definitely encouraged me to get training (ps a triathlon is my next challenge as soon as I'm home and I'm making Nathan do it with me and Mum and Dad).
On route to Port Douglas we stopped by Palm Cove, which was 45minutes from Cairns and it was recommended by a friend who had visited the area. True to the name, Palm Cove was covered it Palm trees, it was lovely.
Past Palm Cove was Ellis Beach, we didn't stop here but there was a great campsite (quite pricey for backpacker budgets) right on the beach, which I would love to have stayed at.
There were some great look out points on the way to Port Douglas.
Port Douglas is mosquito heaven, unfortunately for me and now Nath. But it is beautiful and a lovely beach side resort. The beaches are very tropical looking with rainforest surrounding them. Our first night we stayed in Dougies Backpackers and Nathan stowed me in the boot so we only had to for pay one person, $15. Don't judge us, we are poor! I spent the night as a fugitive.
The following day we headed done to 4 Mile Beach to watch the triathlon. It was literally the perfect location and because the weather was overcast it made for cooler conditions. However I wouldn't have fancied swimming in the sea where all sorts of stinger creatures are present, not for me thank you very much. The run ended on the beach, which I would has thought would have been hard but the sand was very hard so it would have been nice to run on. I was super jealous watching everyone participate and I am now on a mission to do one.
This photo doesn't really do the location justice, but I'm pretty sure it captures the 2nd and 3rd female winners.
After watching the top 100 finish then we visited the local Sunday market, which was full of local produce, coral and pearl jewellery and beautiful handmade crafts. We then got back on the road inland towards Mossman Gorge which is located within the oldest rainforest in the world, Daintree Rainforest. We did a 2.4km hike through the rainforest, stopping by the gorge at the end for a swim.
We then had the most horrific drive up a mountain towards our free rest stop. Very windy, so there was a lot of concentrating on my behalf. We had the most delicious meal of pasta, pumpkin (new obsession and very popular here, not seasonal), avocado, onion, garlic and sausage.
The following day we headed back to Cairns for one last run along the Esplanade, a stock up on food at the market and fuel and a free shower by the lagoon. We also ate way too much pineapple, so much so that our tongues felt raw and we didn't want to eat anything else.
Next stop Mission Beach...
Xoxo
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