MissionBeach1st Sat & 3rd Sunday otm opp. Hideaway Caravan Pk
Monster market: last Sunday 8am-2pm Apr-Nov Marcs Park
MossmanSaturdays under the Raintrees and 1st Saturday otmQCSW Hall
Port DouglasSundays 8.30am-2pmAnzac Park
Ravenshoe4th Sunday otm 8am-noon Railway station
Archer Ck: 2nd Sunday otm 16km W of Ravenshoe on Kennedy Hwy
Rossvilleevery fortnight on Saturday ph. 40603112
Tolga1st Sunday otm Morrow Park Racecourse
Tully2nd & 4th Saturday otmShowground
Yungaburra4th Saturday otm 7.30am-12.30pmMain Street
Full Moon 2008
The full moon is a magical time to be outdoors and nowhere has quite the other-worldly atmosphere as that of a tropical full moon. Tropical daylight is more intense and the same holds for tropical moonlight. Being a reflected light it is polarized which seems to create a 3D effect. Plants stand out more, their outlines exaggerated by the deep shadows which contrast with the sometimes silvery and sometimes velvety surfaces of their leaves. White flowers and variegated leaves become almost luminescent. Many tropical plants are notable for their sculptural qualities (think of palms and agaves) which I think are at their best under the cooler still light of a tropical moon. Of course, some moons are hidden by a veil of cloud and rain seems to come more often around the full moon but it is one of the wonderful experiences of life lived close to the equator.
Dates: Mar 21, Apr 20, May 20, Jun 18, Jul 18, Aug 16, Sep 15, Oct 14, Nov 13, Dec 12
The main Botanical Gardens open from 7.30-5.30 weekdays and 8.30-5.30 on weekends. The information office is open from 8.30-4.30 during the week. The adjoining areas are Centenary Lakes covering 38 Ha and the Mt Whitfield Conservation Park covering around 300 Ha. The Red Arrow track (1.3km/1 hr) and Blue Arrow track (5.4km/3 hr) are popular walking and jogging tracks running through the rainforest and over the mountain. There are terrific views over Cairns and Trinity Bay.
The Garden restaurant is open from 8.30-4.30 ph. 07-40537087
Every Tuesday at 8.30 am Birdwatching Walk in the Gardens starting from the Admin centre behind the cafe.