Had an early morning start and explored some of the attractions of The Tablelands. It was a very impressively beautiful area with a nice dryer climate due to its elevation. Visited a few national parks including one with a deep volcanic crater and tree kangaroos (they were around but I couldn’t find any). Very beautiful countryside of mainly agricultural land and rain forests. After a few hours driving I found myself back down at sea level waiting for a ferry to cross into Cape Tribulation and the Daintree National Park.
I made reservations to stay in an air-conditioned private room at a YHA and was feeling a little nervous about being the oldest one there – only to find plenty of people older than myself. And a brand new yuppie Range Rover sitting in the parking lot. Funny how YHA’s have changed over the years. This one was much like the kind you find in New Zealand that operated more like a hotel than a hostel. The had towels and soaps shampoos and conditioners on your bed, they changed your sheets and cleaned your room every day (sleeping bags are prohibited), and you could even charge your meals to your room! They had a variety of individual cabins sprinkled along a rainforest walk that took you down to their swimming pool, bistro, bar, and eventually, the beach. They was a mix of dorm rooms, private rooms with shared bathrooms, and family cabins with en-suites.
