Crocs on the Daintree River

When you visit far north Queensland there are a few things you just can't miss - the reefs, the rainforest and crocodiles - that's if you especially like nature. We were based in Port Douglas on a recent holiday and I just had to tick crocodiles off my list.

Never smile at a crocodile?  
(Photo copyright Maria Ngo) 

We had seen the flags advertising Bruce Belcher's Daintree River Cruises on our way to the Daintree and decided to check it out.

We found out that they ran 7 one hour tours daily. Each tour comes with complimentary tea or coffee that you can help yourself to before or after your tour. You can also pre-book a properly baked (in the oven, none of that microwaved stuff) sausage roll or pie which is done to perfection, before your tour so that it is ready for you upon your return. They also have a very well stocked fridge of cold drinks. The lunch tour comes with a pie or sausage roll and a cold drink.

Free coffee and a spot for lunch 

(Photo copyright Maria Ngo)

There is a very attractive eclectic and colourful dining/waiting area which is indoors. There is even an old disused railway carriage here which will no doubt prove a winner with the little children. There is a separate outdoor area where you can also hang out. And yes, there are toilet facilities here which did not miss the keen decorator's attention.

It is an altogether well run family enterprise with knowledgeable passionate guides who love what they do and care about the Daintree River ecosystem and the crocodiles that live there.

We saw a few tree snakes and several large crocodiles who seemed rather unperturbed by how close the boats got to them. We learnt a fair bit about the plant life along the river as well. Now I know why there are these yellow leaves that seem so out of place among the lush green trees and also why some sea hibiscuses are yellow and some are red.

Are mangrove trees all the same? 
(Photo copyright Maria Ngo)

The season, time of day and the tides, can affect what bird-life you might see on your tour. We didn't see that many birds on our trip but it didn't matter too much because we got to see the main attraction. All in all, the hour passed all too quickly and we only made occasional use of the binoculars that they provided.

Port Douglas to River Cruise 

Bruce Belcher's Daintree River Cruise is about a 40 minute drive from Port Douglas assuming all goes smoothly - it took us over an hour to get there on a different day though due to detours and other delays.

Red and Yellow 
(Photo copyright Maria Ngo)

So if you are visiting the area and want to tick crocs off your list and learn a bit about the river ecosystem at the same time and have beautifully heated up pie, this award winning enterprise would be my recommendation.