3,123 km Relocation to the East Coast

After our Outback trip in the northwest, we wanted to go to the east coast to go diving again - specifically in the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. Of course, we could have flown from Darwin to Cairns - but for various reasons, we decided against it. First, flights in Australia are not exactly cheap like AirAsia, second, we actually have time, third, driving in Australia is absolutely fun, and fourth, there is a lot to see along the way - especially near Cairns. So we looked for alternatives. However, we didn't want to treat ourselves to an expensive rental car again, so we looked for a relocation. With a relocation, you can drive a car from point A to point B for a rental company within a limited time period and only pay a symbolic one to five dollars per day.

So in Darwin, we returned our 4WD machine and set off for Cairns with our new vehicle called 'MOBY'. MOBY is a 6-person motorhome and is quite a bit larger than the previous car - and therefore also slower. We had six days to cover the approximately 3,000 kilometers.

In the first three days of our relocation, we wanted to cover as many kilometers as possible - so that we could spend two days sightseeing around Cairns afterwards.

So on the first day, we drove about 800 km from Darwin to Daly Waters, where we checked into the camping site of the Historic Pub (which is truly historic and has collections of flags, police badges, bras, panties, t-shirts, money, coins, and caps on all walls and in every corner) shortly after sunset.

The second day was spent again driving and covering over 1,000 kilometers to Mount Isa. In this mining town in the middle of nowhere, the night brought a slightly negative surprise when someone shook our door and woke us up. Barking dogs from next door scared off three individuals, which relieved us and our neighbors.

On the third day - once again driving, driving, driving - we covered about 900 km via Normanton to Mount Surprise. We had practically reached our destination - because from here to Cairns was just a stone's throw away and we still had two days for it.

On the fourth day, we leisurely made our way towards Atherton through the Tablelands. We stopped at the beautiful Millaa Millaa Falls, at the Tarzali Lakes where we were looking for and found rare platypuses, and a little later at the Nerada Tea Plantation, where there are said to be rare tree kangaroos in the nearby trees. After some searching, we also found them. After these stops, we finally headed to the east coast and set up camp in Port Douglas. After an evening walk through the small fine town, we briefly stopped at the Hemingway Brewery, where Mathias enjoyed a small tasting set.

On the next morning - already the second to last day of the relocation - we drove north from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation. After crossing the Daintree River with the ferry, we walked several small walks in the National Park. It is said to be where the rainforest meets the reef - and it's true. From the rainforest through the mangroves, you go straight to beautiful beaches. And here too, the exciting wildlife showed itself to us. Thanks to a tip from other walkers, we were able to observe a cassowary with its young in the underbrush. When we returned to the vehicle afterwards, it got even better - because another cassowary crossed the entrance to the parking lot directly behind our motorhome as we walked there. We stayed at Cape Trib Camping, where we cooked in our motorhome for the last time.

On the last day, we drove from Cape Tribulation along the coast to Cairns and took a short lunch break at the beautiful Ellis Beach. When we arrived in Cairns, we checked into the hostel, stored all our luggage, and then returned the motorhome. We will stay here for a few more days and especially want to go diving in the Great Barrier Reef. We will soon write about how it was here. Adie merci!