Around 8:30 am, I woke up, knowing that Moni and I had plans to visit Daintree today. Before heading there, I stopped by Cairns Central for some groceries. To my dismay, the ATM proved uncooperative, denying my attempts twice. It struck me as a humorous moment, being the first time in my life encountering a financial barrier. It turned out I had reached my daily account limit, but I quickly realized it was only a matter of waiting since I had made my last withdrawal around 2 pm the previous day.
To pass the time, I treated myself to a delicious frozen coke and took a seat on a bench, observing as the stores opened around 9 am. While analyzing the shops and their staff, my mind couldn’t help but wander back to my incredible time in Indonesia. Desperately hoping for my daily limit to reset in the next 10 minutes, I felt a strong need for that money. Knowing that nine o’clock local time aligned with midnight in the Netherlands, I held onto the hope that it would reset my limit.
Shopping
At 9:03 am, I attempted another withdrawal, and this time it was successful—I finally had money. Opting to withdraw the entire limit at once to avoid ATM fees that I disliked, I then headed to Coles Supermarket. There, I purchased some cookies and a coke. Coles, along with other stores, allowed customers to scan and pay for their own groceries—an innovation I found fascinating. As I experienced this convenience, I couldn’t help but think, ‘Why don’t we have this in the Netherlands?’ (As of 2024, we finally do). I even took a picture to capture the moment.
Afterwards, I went to purchase a sim card. Daniel had mentioned Amazem, or something similar, which sounded like ‘amazing.’ Amazem was a telecom provider, and based on Daniel’s recommendation, I wanted to get a contract with them. Upon reaching the Optus Yes store, I inquired about Amazem. The girl informed me that it was an online provider utilizing the Optus network. Curious about their offerings, I asked for details. I was amazed at what I would receive for a 30 AUD prepaid sim card.
As soon as she mentioned the first feature, I was sold (shut up and take my money!). Nevertheless, the woman continued listing the offerings of this budget-friendly prepaid card. The card included 500 MB of internet for one month, free access to social networks, a 30 AUD prepaid amount, 250 minutes of free calls to 23 different countries (unfortunately not including the Netherlands), and complimentary texting to Australian mobile numbers. I purchased it for 30 AUD, and there was an additional 30 AUD stored on the card. Having all these features was a pleasant surprise; I hadn’t expected affordable 3G in Australia.
Finally a Rental Car
I returned to Wicked Campers, and the guy presented the car to me. Although it seemed a bit damaged at the front and back (not visible in the pictures), I was still enthusiastic. He advised me to inspect the oil and water levels every morning and to monitor the engine temperature continuously. According to him, the temperature gauge should never surpass the middle bar. If it did, I was instructed to pull over and allow the engine to cool down.
I hit the road and enjoyed the car, feeling at ease with the automatic transmission and air conditioning. Right away, I committed my first European mistake by turning on the windshield wipers instead of the indicator. It made me chuckle. Returning to the hostel, I found Moni waiting at the reception. She seemed a bit nervous and surprised to see me. I was running a bit behind, and she thought I had left without her, causing a humorous misunderstanding. My luggage was safely stored at the hostel, a fact she wasn’t aware of.
The Road Trip Begins
We bid farewell to some of the guys and hit the road to Daintree. My initial plan was to head north to Daintree Village, with a brief stop before driving back south, where Moni would part ways at Townsville. The hostel staff had cautioned me about an impending cyclone gaining strength in the region. I assured them I would stay updated by listening to the radio. Being well aware of visiting Australia’s eastern coast during cyclone season, I had mentally prepared for the possibility. Oddly enough, I even felt a bit excited about the prospect of encountering such a natural phenomenon.
We departed, but before hitting the road, I needed to refuel. Fuel prices in Australia hovered around 1.60 AUD per liter, equivalent to roughly 1.07 euros when converted. Reflecting on the considerably cheaper fuel costs in Indonesia at 6500 IDR (0.45 euros per liter), the disparity was evident. I handed over 50 AUD for the fuel and sought directions from the attendant to reach the main road.
I made a wrong turn initially, requiring me to backtrack towards the hostel before finding the main road leading to the airport. Fortunately, driving in Australia proved straightforward. The well-maintained roads and clear signage made navigation a breeze. I enjoyed the picturesque scenery and, drawing on my overtaking skills honed in Indonesia, occasionally passed other vehicles on the serene, quiet roads. It was truly an amazing experience.
Unity Reef and Rex Outlook
After half an hour, we reached a breathtaking and peaceful bay, featuring a deserted beach overlooking Unity Reef. Excited about my first Australian beach experience, we decided to stop and take a leisurely stroll. It marked a refreshing change from the numerous visits to Cairns Central shopping centre. Seated on the beach, I savored my lunch—a few doughnuts—and sipped my drink, all while observing Moni relishing the beach. Despite my initial impression of her as a reserved and quiet individual, I acknowledged that I might be jumping to conclusions too soon.
After spending 15 minutes at the beach, we resumed our drive for another 10 minutes before making another stop at Rex Outlook, a picturesque scenic lookout. The elevated vantage point allowed us to admire Unity Reef bay and its beach. I felt a surge of excitement, thinking, “The day has only just begun.”
Port Douglas
Shortly before reaching Mossman, I spotted a sign indicating Port Douglas, and curiosity prompted me to explore it. According to someone at the hostel, it was considered Cairns for Australians, a popular holiday destination. As we drove through the main shopping street, the presence of numerous Australians validated the description. Walking past a restaurant, we garnered some curious looks. Later, for dinner, Moni and I ventured to Coles Supermarket to purchase groceries. I persuaded Moni to try a chicken schnitzel, anticipating its deliciousness. However, she didn’t want to eat much, which surprised me.
After spending around 20 minutes exploring Port Douglas, we continued our journey to Mossman. At the Cairns Hardware Group shop, I purchased a new cooker, a mat, and gas for the cooker. The decision to buy a new cooker was prompted by the less-than-ideal condition of the one already in the back of the car. The lady at the counter kindly explained how to attach the gas bottle to the cooker, making it a straightforward process. Afterward, we returned to the supermarket for a cushion and a lighter. Funny enough, I forgot the lighter upon getting back in the car, and Moni had to remind me. It marked the tenth thing I had forgotten that day. However, just 20 minutes out of Cairns, I realized I had left my bread in the hostel’s refrigerator.
Daintree
We proceeded on our journey to Daintree, and after an hour, we reached our destination in the late afternoon. Seeking a local’s advice on a free place to stay, she directed us over the hill. Once there, we were amazed by the breathtaking view. Unfortunately, I couldn’t capture many pictures as I was behind the wheel.
Following a road through the forest of Daintree, we reached an area with green meadows and hills partially covered with trees. Our quest for a campsite proved unsuccessful, prompting a stop after fifteen minutes. Eager to seek guidance, we approached a nearby farm (picture 1) and inquired. The man advised us to proceed along the road for three kilometers, promising a beach at the end. Despite our efforts, we couldn’t locate the beach. Realizing it was getting late and my hunger intensifying, we decided to turn back.
We retraced our route and reached the intersection where a closed restaurant stood. The intersection presented two options: heading straight to Mossman or turning left towards Cape Tribulation. Recalling advice from a local in Daintree Village who suggested we could potentially sleep at the restaurant unnoticed, we decided to explore this option. Upon reaching the restaurant, I approached a nearby house to inquire about sleeping arrangements. The friendly resident pointed us to a better spot, instructing us to return to Mossman, turn right, and continue for approximately two hours. As we progressed on the road, I proposed to Moni that we have dinner now and resume our journey later.
Dinner at Dayman Point Boat Ramp
I selected a picturesque spot and set up our makeshift kitchen. However, the new cooker produced a modest flame. I placed the chicken on it, and we patiently waited for about 15 minutes until one of them was ready. The entire dinner preparation took us around two hours. We were currently stationed at Dayman Point Boat Ramp, an area where camping was prohibited. Additionally, this location posed a potential danger due to its status as crocodile territory.
Following dinner, I realized I had overlooked purchasing soap for the dishes and let out a sigh of frustration. Feeling fatigued from a day of driving, I suggested to Moni that we spend the night here. I planned to park the car discreetly behind the trees to avoid being seen by law enforcement on the main road. She agreed, and we tidied up before moving the car to our chosen spot.
Camping inside the car proved challenging. The interior was unbearably hot, creating difficulty in falling asleep. Throughout the night, I ventured outside multiple times, opened the windows, and briefly ran the air conditioning (limited by the battery). Regrettably, it didn’t provide much relief as the engine was cold. Enduring three hours of intense boredom, I eventually managed to drift off to sleep.
