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Hi again Nic,
Is 1770 a town? Never ever heard of it! We've been down the East coast before but obviously didn't see it. As soon as we get our camping gear organised we are off down to Magnetic Island for a visit so will check it out.
Well, the mozzies were not a problem at all until about December when it started raining. At the moment there are lots, even in the day, in some places. I guess they will be around until the end of the wet in May.
It's very dependant on where you live. We are in Port Gardens, new residential estate down by the Rainforest Habitat( zoo). We have hardly any in our garden as we are not near any swamps but if you live in say Reef Park, older and closer to town, with swamp, there are more.
But you know, they arn't realy a problem, none in the house, car or air conditioned shops and that's where you spend most of your life.
We got stuck in the rain forest the other day, drove over a fallen tree and a branch ripped out both our fuel lines, anyway, within a couple of mins we were in the middle of a swarm of the things. Never seen anything like it. Bush mechanics saved the day by the way.
Word of warning though, it's VERY expensive here. We took the cheapest unfurnished rental house going and it's $400/ week. It's realy nice though, most are. There are cheaper apartments and things but they all came furnished. We've just bought a house, again in Port Gardens, we paid $477000. You won't get much cheaper than that for 4 bed. The rates are high too $ 1800/ year, that's about standard in Port.
There is a primary school here and it's good but no big school, the kids either have to go to Mossman, or down to the Northern Beaches. There is a school bus but I wouldn't want my kids doing the journey south on that road every day, it's a death trap. Mossman is OK, lots of indiginous so well funded. There is an excellent Kindy which I just changed my mind about sending my son to, I'd rather keep him home. But if you wanted to use it its for when they are turning 4 and costs $45/week for 5 days a fortnight. Term time only. It's not the start of school, just day care and playing realy. Day care is about $45/day if you need it.
A lot of people live in Mossman rather than Port, it's significantly cheaper and up- and - coming. We didn't as we don't want to run two cars. It's only 10 mins, if that.We spend quite a lot of time in Mossman, playgroup and the market and sometimes the pool. Or if you want to live out of town there are options up the coast at some of the beaches, none of them are far away.
Just wondering, what line of work are you in? Not much scope up here other than hospitality. Everywhere is desperate for staff so if you want a part time or casual job it's easy. I expect building related stuff would be good too but to be honest I know bugger all about it.
We originally planned on living in Cairns but my husband got a job up here (chef) so here we are. We are pleased with the outcome. I've always worked in medical science, if I wanted to go back to that I'd have to work in cairns. But I don't!
Hope you like 4 wheel driving and fishing, not much else to do. And yes you're right, the Yacht Club and the Combined club are the two places for the locals that don't charge tourist prices. Both are great. Did you see the bandicoot at the club? He comes nosing arouind the tables of an evening. Thats a realy good place to be eaten by mozzies though.
Good luck
Ax,
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