A sugar milling town set in the midst of cane fields; it is also the gateway to the famous Daintree World Heritage listed rainforest. Crystal-clear water cascades over large granite boulders in the Mossman River gorge. Lush rainforests cloak steep mountainsides from the riverbanks up to the rugged eastern slopes of the Main Coast Range.
Location: 75 km north of Cairns; 20 km from Port Douglas.
Brief history: The village was established in 1876, twenty years before the first sugar cane plantation was established in the area.
Origin of name: named by the explorer George Dalrymple in 1873 after the minerals explorer Hugh Mosman. Mosman's 11-year-old Aboriginal servant, Jupiter, found gold at Charters Towers in 1872. The boom which followed the discovery did much to help the development of North Queensland. The name of the town was later changed from Mosman to Mossman to avoid confusion with the suburb in Sydney.
The establishment and subsequent growth of Cairns and the completion of the Cairns Railway up through the Barron Gorge in 1891, gave a more direct gateway to the hinterland but, at this period, it was found that the Mossman district contained suitable land for sugar-growing. The establishment of the sugar mill at Mossman formed the nucleus of the town, which grew at the expense of Port Douglas.
Mossman Gorge is a very accessible and scenic section of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Strangler figs and epiphytic plants flourish and the crystal-clear Mossman River cascades over granite boulders. Visitors can stroll along the 400 metre river circuit track to viewing platforms over the Mossman River, or take the 2.7 kilometre loop track through lush, green rainforest. A suspension bridge runs across Rex Creek close to where it enters the Mossman River, linking the carpark area to a 2.4-kilometre circular rainforest walk. The river is safe to swim in and the walking trail is well marked. Make it even easier and catch the shuttle bus for the 2 minute ride from the Gorge centre to the walking trails.
Mossman Gorge is home to the Kuku Yalanji people, the area's traditional Aboriginal landowners who strive to protect their natural heritage as they share its unique qualities with visitors. Guided bushwalks are available that give a rare insight into the special relationship the local indigenous people have with the rainforest, while traditional dance performances and artefact displays portray their rich cultural heritage.Much of the 56,500ha Mossman Gorge Section of Daintree National Park includes rugged, largely inaccessible slopes of the Main Coast Range and Carbine Tableland, adjoining Mt Windsor and Mt Lewis. It is these steep mountain ranges that trap moisture blown in from the ocean and ensure frequent rainfall, maintaining the rainforest and ultimately feeding the Mossman and Daintree Rivers.
Tall, dense rainforests clothe the lowlands and stunted windswept rainforests occupy the mountaintops. To the west of the Main Coast Range, open forest and woodlands grow on the drier western slopes. The park provides a home for a wonderful variety of rainforest animals including tree-kangaroos, musky rat-kangaroos and Boyd's forest dragons. Over millions of years, the Mossman River has carved a steep-sided valley from the upper reaches to the coastal lowlands. Through this valley, crystal clear water cascades amongst large granite boulders which have been washed down from the hills during times of heavy flood.
Getting there and getting around:
From Cairns, travel north for 80km along the Cook Highway to Mossman. In the centre of Mossman turn left into Johnston Road. This 5km bitumen road leads directly to the Mossman Gorge car park. Please drive slowly and with particular care when passing the Mossman Gorge Aboriginal Community on your way to the park. Caravans and large campervans are not recommended on this narrow road.
If you intend to hike within the park beyond the river and rainforest circuit tracks, you must discuss your plans with park staff and complete a bushwalking registration form. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is not responsible for ensuring the safe return of walkers so you need to provide a responsible person with details of your trip and advise this person upon your return. If going on extended walks, ensure you have enough drinking water and protect yourself from the sun. Wear sturdy shoes and wear appropriate clothing. Be prepared for weather changes.
