Sun, 30th Apr, 2017 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld (Port Douglas, beaches & Jon’s birthday dinner)

Another perfect morning, no wind and clear sky. Picked up Kaylene and headed up the coast towards Port Douglas.

Stopped at Rex Lookout to enjoy the view over the coastline back to Double Island.

Perfect day for fishing and for selfies!!

Next stop was Craiglie and the Pioneer memorial and Christie Palmerston plaque.

Into Port Douglas and found a park near the markets – pays to come early. Just beautiful.

Even the mangroves are worthy of a photo.

Quick visit into the church. Perfect view for a wedding.

Wandered around the markets – picked up a couple of presents.

Drove around to the Marina but unfortunately there is still a lot of empty shops in there, but the restaurants are doing a great trade and they have a lovely view.

Drove up the steep drive to the lookout on Flagstaff Hill.

Top view. Four Mile Beach is still lovely even if it doesn’t have lovely white sand.

Zoomed in on Scout Hat and Double Island in the distance.

Back down the hill and around to the beach for a cuppa at the Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club with a view of the beach through the palm trees etc.

Walked along the beach towards the hill – lots of mangroves hence the darker sand colour from the mud.

Followed the path up the hill to another lookout but didn’t go all the way up to where we had driven too.

Zoomed in on Low Island.

The Pandanus Palm and its fruit.

Checked out a couple of shops then back to the Life Saving Club for a delicious lunch.

Headed back out of Port then turned off at the other end of 4 Mile Beach. Lots of fig trees about.

Looking back to Flagstaff Hill along 4 Mile Beach. Clouds have come over from the east.

Tall coconut tree with lots of coconuts.

Headed back south along the coast. Found another map.

Near Pretty Beach we found ‘cairnsville’. Obviously this is the latest fashion – building rockpiles. Shame Steve isn’t here, he would add to them!!

Stopped at Ellis Beach – looking across to Double Island.

Drove into Palm Cove – nowhere to park, very popular today with all the restaurants and cafes doing a roaring trade.

On to Clifton Beach – looking dark and gloomy now – the other side of Double Island with little Scout Hat beside it.

Skipped Kewarra Beach then into Trinity Beach. Little shops have been removed and another big building is under construction on the Esplanade. Quieter here so parked and read the new history boards about the soldier training held here during WW2.

The same spot as this photo.

Drove up to the top of Smithfield but no good views, just houses in the bush. Dropped off Kaylene then picked up dessert from the Cheesecake Shop – Jon’s choice.

Cooked dinner – the standard Sunday night fare, Spaghetti, garlic bread and chicken kebabs. Jon, Jess and Dan arrived then Greg – but unfortunately the rest of the family were busy. Gave Jon’s his extra present from the markets as well as some cash towards his new golf bag.

Steve rang while we were eating tea so he joined in on the chatter. Had a great night chatting then playing a few games of Beanie – had to teach Jess but she picked it up quickly. So love spending time with my boys and Jess is a delight.