Cooktown, QLD - 174 km

Our first night in our campervan went well, except for both of us being awake at 4 a.m. to the sound of rain and debris falling on the roof. When we got up the rain had pretty well stopped but it was pretty socked in. Luckily this passed and turned out to be a glorious day with temperatures reaching 27 degrees. We are finally starting to feel turned around from the time change and jet lag.

We went into Mossman this morning to try and find internet and pick up a few things and surprise, surprise, there was free internet at Woolworths (a grocery store here) so we were able to sit in the camper and add the previous blog entry.

The morning's trip north was over very winding paved roads and across the Daintree Ferry ($13.50 to cross one way - a five minute trip).

Because of the rain we weren’t sure we would be able to travel the Bloomfield Track, the 4 X 4 drive from Cape Tribulation to Cooktown, but after stopping at Mason’s Store in Cape Tribulation we were assured that people had been making it through although it was a bit muddy in a few places. As soon as we got on the track we saw a demolished car – not a good sign.

Not a good start for someone. . .

But it was a great adventure and reminded us of our 4 X 4 drives to pick berries, except that it was through the spectacular rain forest. We traversed several rivers and climbed some very steep pitches.  They warn you not to walk across some of the rivers to test the depth before crossing because you could end up as a croc meal. We stopped for a picnic lunch beside the Emmagen Creek and watched several other vehicles, including a small 4 X 4 car pass through. We weren’t too worried with our vehicle as we have an intake snorkel but the little car didn’t and the water was up and well over the tires! Hope they didn’t have issues later on. One other area was all bedrock and pretty dodgy but we made it through.

 

 

In an effort to keep this road passable they have recently paved the steep hills and build a few one lane bridges. As you can see from the picture the water level still can rise above the bridge so water level gauges are present so people can decide if they want to attempt the crossing or not. The major crossing at the Bloomfield River has a brand new bridge. Check the photo for the old and the new way to cross!

Old and new river crossing.

Today in some places we were travelling through a tunnel of green, with the foliage and vines hanging down to the road. At our lunch stop Doug was attacked by this nasty spiny plant that seemed to be growing everywhere along the way. And we think our Devil's club is bad! We saw many signs warning to watch for the cassowaries (a very large flightless bird) and did manage to see (but not photograph) one in the bush.

Ouch!

At the start of the drive we paralleled the ocean and saw people enjoying the white sandy beaches. We were surprised at the amount of traffic and how busy the camp grounds are but realize this is the only time of year people can travel up this way and many Australians from the south make their way here for their holidays as the temperatures are more pleasant and it is getting cold down south. All in all an enjoyable day.

We have found ourselves in Cooktown for the night and this time with internet in our camper (purchased for $2 donation to the Flying Doctors).