After leaving Cairns we headed north to Mossman where we stayed for a few days. We quite like Mossman with it lush rainforest and smaller town atmosphere. Allen played bowls there against 34 other players and won! They told him he can head out of town and keep going lol. We didnt take any photos at Mossman, I dont know why lol. We drove to Port Douglas where we met up with friends we met at Coral Bay in WA. We had a lovely lunch with them. They were in Cairns and had driven to Port Douglas just to have lunch with us.....so nice.

From Mossman we headed south west to Mareeba into the Atherton tableland area. This place is a lot bigger than I remember it from last time. We tried the two caravan parks in town.....yuk yuk yuk!!! One other option....the Kerribee Rodeo grounds....we arrived to find about 100 vans already there. Some of them come for the winter so stay a few months. The cost is half of the cost of the yukky van parks and the area is great. Huge grassy area with power and water and amenities, not parked close to anyone and about 6 km out of town. We loved it. Saturday they had markets on in town so we took off to check them out. They were quite large markets and extremely colourful and heaps of atmosphere. Quirky characters abounded and it was an interesting morning. Then we went to breakfast in a cafe in town, not too bad. A good start to the day.

After breaky Al took off to go 'go-karting'! He loves the go-karts. He looks so cute in the go kart. See photos. He had a good time there and the cost also included 18 holes of mini golf, so he did that as well. He was absolutely exhausted when he returned.

We woke one morning to find a hot air balloon landed behind us on the camp ground. I wish I had see it before it landed but got a photo of it on the ground anyway. Sandi didnt want to get up - she looked so comfortable on the bed, Al and I made the bed with her on it and she didnt even move....see photo.

Lots more to do in the area here too, include a drive to Karunda, a tour of a coffee plantation and a yummy ice-creamery that just happened to be on the way. Mareeba is a must stay area for those planning their trip.