Jungle Golf (19th November 2014)

We decide to forgo the normal tourist attractions and headed to Mossman a few miles up the coast to play golf.  Mossman also boasts a gorge walk but we were looking for more excitement!  The apartments where we are staying have a set of men’s and ladies’ golf clubs so we borrowed these at no charge.  We also managed to get a concession rate at the golf club, worth asking for, for all those budding “third age” travellers, although many places restrict the concession rates to Australians.

The course was relatively flat with good quality greens but scorched fairways, although not hard, yet the balls carried well.  It was odd seeing these patches of green separated by brown fairways. At one point we were caught under water sprays while putting, which provided some relief to the 31C temperature.  The fairways were lined with trees that provided shelter from the scorching sun plus there was a breeze that brought additional relief. Even better the trolleys incorporated seats for the weary.

"Green to Green"

Midway around the course they had provided a set of toilets and wash basins.  On lifting the seat I discovered a startled lizard sitting on the edge of the seat.  A few holes further on I lifted the plunger on the ball washing unit, ready to slot my ball in, and was surprised to see the head of a frog emerge!   We were later told that one should look up after discovering the lizards in case there is a python waiting to catch the lizards.  These stories are quite common in this part of the country. One of the receptionists at our apartment hold me that she went for a shower in Cape Tribulation and discovered a python in the foot basin!  Needless to say she decided to give it a miss.

Jungle golf

The golf course was located along the side of the rail track that carries the sugar cane and while we were there three trains came through at quite a leisurely rate pulling trucks of sugar cane.

Sugar Cane Train

We managed to get around the course without losing our balls, which we were pleased about considering conditions and after a drink at the bar headed back to Port Douglas for a swim off 4 Mile Beach in the “bath” warm water but between the jelly fish protected netting.