Crossing Coopers Creek 30/12/07

This group of travellers has an exciting crossing of Cooper Creek on their way to Cape Tribulation. Coopers is the last low level causeway on the road, and willl hopefully be replaced with a high level one in 2008.

Daintree Coast Weekly Report 31/12/07 - 6/01/08

It’s been a nice wet end to 2007, with a number of significant falls over the last week. The Wet season has arrived and now all the creeks are flowing nicely, with water everywhere. The rain has cooled it down somewhat as well. We can now hear thousands of White Lipped Green Tree Frogs in the swamps, from a distance they sound like Aboriginal Clicking Sticks.
From the forecast it seems that rain periods are likely to continue this week. The winds will be light to moderate during the week, but localized strong winds can experienced in association with Monsoonal Storms.
Its very hard to accurately predict monsoonal weather, hence the Weather Bureau saying ‘Scattered Showers’
NORTH TROPICAL COAST AND TABLELANDS DISTRICTIsolated coastal showers tending scattered with areas of rain over far northernparts. Moderate SE winds.Outlook for Tuesday ... Scattered showers, rain in the north.Outlook for Wednesday ... Scattered showers, rain in the north. North Tropical Waters, Cooktown to Cardwell:
Monday until midnight: S/SE winds to 15/20 knots. Seas abating to 1.7 metres outside the reef on a 2 metre SE swell, and to 1.2 metres inside. Scattered showers.
Tuesday: SE/E winds 10/15 knots, afternoon seabreezes inshore. Seas abating to 1.2 metres outside the reef on a 2 metre SE swell, and to 0.8 metre inside the reef. Scattered showers.
Wednesday: SE/E winds 10/15 knots, afternoon seabreezes inshore.
The road to Cape Tribulation is open, but there has been localized flooding, in places, particularly at Cooper Creek. Despite repeated requests our Council has still to build a high level causeway there. The flooding abates quite quickly when the rain stops, so there have been no days where the road has been cut all day. Those in small cars should be cautious about crossing, I have seen some very ‘bold’ drivers this week, and I would say a couple have been very lucky. Also keep in mind that a car rental company would rather their car in one piece and the hirer alive at the conclusion of the rental period. Ask your self if it’s really worth the risk to catch a flight…
The Bloomfield Track is currently closed, not officially, but there are large fallen trees blocking it. I will go and have a look this afternoon and see the extent of the problem. Those attempting the track should only do so in heavy duty 4WDs, and be prepared for very deep, washed out and rocky river crossings. My 2007 tide chart has run out so no tide info until I get a new one! Happy New Year!

Frog Season on the Daintree Coast

Unfortunately one of the amphibians we see more of at this time of the year is the Cane Toad. Cane Toads were introduced as ameans of controlling insect pests in Sugar Cane. Unfortunately this attempt at biological control was poorly researched, and the toads don't do any good for Sugar Cane.
Not long after the Toads were introduced, a chemical called Suscon Blue provide the neccesary insect control.
The toads have prospered, and spread rapidly through Queensland, and The Northern Territory, and even into New South Wales.
The problem with Toads is that they are poisonous and many native animals catch and eat them, mistaking them for edible native frogs. With few exeptions, any native animal that does this will die. Quolls, Birds, Snakes, Lizards and even Crocodiles have been affected.
It would be great to be able to eradicate this pest from our rainforests, but a means of doing so is yet to be devised.

Frog Season on The Daintree Coast

Another common frog here is the Stoney Creek Frog. Although they are strictly speaking a Tree Frog, they have less ability to climb than most other Tree Frogs and are mostly seen on or near the ground.

Many stories I have read about the Daintree talk of a mysterious creature that makes a maniacal laughing noise in the forest. I too was puzzled by this until many years ago I actually observed this frog as the culprit!

They are also capable of a noise rather like a baby crying, usually made when a predator has got them.

When their legs are extended they reveal quite beatiful colours inside, which some refrence books claim are used in mating rituals. Apparently the males repeatedly extend the legs at this time.

Frog Season on The Daintree Coast

This time of the year, Frogs become much more active. With the onset of warmer weather, more insects, and rain many frogs take the opportunity to feed and breed.

This White Lipped Green Tree Frog was photographed on a Mason's Tours Nightwalk in December 2007.

These beautiful Frogs are very common on The Daintree Coast and can be see after rain from the boardwalk to the Cape Restaurant at Coconut Beach Lodge.

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

Happy christmas from the Daintree River