Sunday, December 23, 2007

Daintree Coast Weekly Report 24/12/07 - 30/12/07

Merry Christmas one and all!

Still great December weather, with warm humid days, some rain, and lots of sun. This weather there is nothing better than a dip in a local swimming hole to cool off. There are public pools at Mason’s Shop and at Emmagen Creek, and some private tour operators offer a swim if you join them on a tour.
Jellyfish are now out in force, and swimming along the Daintree Coast should not be contemplated unless a stinger suit is worn. Remember that Box Jellyfish are coastal, and do not extend out to the Barrier Reef.
With Christmas approaching, a reminder that some businesses are not open for Christmas Day. Most Resorts and Restaurants are of course open, but many tour operators are closed for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Now for next week’s weather:
NORTH TROPICAL COAST AND TABLELANDS DISTRICTIsolated showers about the coast. Isolated afternoon and evening showers andthunderstorms on and west of the Tablelands. Light winds with moderate coastalseabreezes. Outlook for Tuesday ... Isolated afternoon and evening showers andthunderstorms. Merry Christmas.Outlook for Wednesday ... Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.

North Tropical Waters, Cooktown to Cardwell:Monday until midnight: NW/NE winds 5/10 knots with inshore seabreezes 10/15 knots. Seas to 1.0 metre outside the reef and to 0.6 metres inside the reef. Isolated showers.Tuesday: E/SE winds 10/15 knots with afternoon NE seabreezes. Seas to 1.2 metre outside the reef and to 0.8 metres inside the reef. Increasing showers. Wednesday: E/SE winds 10/15 knots with afternoon NE seabreezes.

Roads – the road to Cape Trib is open. Storms can bring down the odd tree so drive carefully. There has been no flooding recently. The big tides on Saturday and Sunday may briefly flood Cooper Ck Causeway mid morning Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Bloomfield Track is open to 4WDs only and is in fair condition. Some mud/rough patches are developing. We recommend the use of low gear (low range if available on steep descents) The creek crossings are about 0.5m deep and will have rocks in them after flooding. Low clearance 4WDs may have trouble. I recommend all crossings be walked before driving, except Bloomfield Causeway which has a Croc risk. The Bloomfield Causeway has subsided on the northern downstream side and it is important you do not drive on this area. The big tides on Saturday and Sunday may briefly flood Bloomfield Causeway mid morning Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Tides – are high morning tending to early afternoon later in the week. Early in the week the tides are extremely high.

Pre booking is advised as most places are close to full over Christmas