About 30 km away from Cairns is Ellis Beach. An expanse of white beach along the highway the Captain Cook Highway. The rainforest borders the road that runs along the beach. Ellis Beach is a stretch of beach with no houses or much else around. Because of that it is almost like being in your own private expanse of white sand and tropical waves. Down the road is Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure, a major destination for an Australian wildlife encounter.
The road to Ellis Beach hugs tight to the coast line. Offering ocean to one side and rainforest to the other. As the beach stretches for kilometres there are plenty of photo opportunities and look outs where photos of untouched beach can be snapped. At Stony Beach stop and build a rock cairn, adding it to the thousands already placed by travellers.
Camping at Ellis Beach
Frequently patrolled, the Ellis Beach parking lots and surrounds are not permitted for overnight camping. So Ellis Beach Ocean Front Bungalows and Campground should be the first stop to set up camp. Nestled up against the beach, even the sites furthest from the beach have it in close sight. Well maintained, clean and well equipped, the Campgrounds border on a luxury stay. A fully stocked camp kitchen, powered and un-powered sites, bungalows, insanely clean bathroom facilities and a pool. But who needs a pool when the ocean is steps away?
Don’t feel like cooking? Stop at Ellis Beach Bar and Grill under a giant mango tree for patio cocktails, insanely good food. Seriously, so good. Not to mention the weekly specials make it perfect for even the most shoestring budget. Between the both of us we ate through both the breakfast and dinner menus. Everything was superb. The sauce they put on the chicken wings is next level.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure
For an Australian wildlife experience stop at Hartleys Crocodile Adventure. If travelling during crocodile season or any further north than Cairns the wildlife experts will teach you how to avoid being eaten by a crocodile. They will throw in other fun facts and show off the power and prowess of these beautiful, reptilian killing machines. On the fluffier side there are koalas to cuddle and kangaroos to feed. Hartley’s is animal welfare accredited so there is a long wait to pose with animals.
The most amazing bird ever is in Hartley’s and one, should travel happen further north, that will become familiar to you even if you don’t see it in the wild. This is none other than the Cassowary. The worlds third largest bird and the most remarkable. Cassowaries have glossy black plumage, a blue flesh and a ridge on its head like a dinosaur. Highly endangered and found no where else in the world besides the Daintree, they are a modern day, well loved, dinosaur. Cassowaries are fed first thing in the morning at Hartley’s. And lets face it, who doesn’t want to see a dinosaur?
Harley’s is also a crocodile farm. As such there is a large lagoon where boat tours take place. Crocodiles are lured into action shots beside the glass walled boat. Meanwhile learn more fun facts as you search for crocs in the murky water or sunning themselves on the banks. While walking through the habitats I experienced the most primal and terrifying moment of my life. A 450 kg croc growled at me as I crossed a wooden bridge a scant few inches from its head. Never have I felt so much like prey. He was barely visible in the murky water below. With a bite strength of nearly 4000 lbs per square inch that powerful animal made me feel like that bridge was made of straw.
Ellis Beach is a Happy Place
We came back to Ellis beach later on, after a DISASTER, that I will tell about in a later post. No van trip is complete without a disaster. Ellis beach will always be my ultimate relaxation spot for any future upsets life throws my way. Laying on a deserted beach, in the sunshine while the waves roll in will dissolve any stress. Whenever I am asked to picture myself on a beach it will be on Ellis Beach.