Cairns to Cooktown to Wajul Wajul to Cape Tribulation, the Daintree, Port Douglas via the Bloomfield Track

Murray was keen to drive the Bloomfield Track. We did some research and decided not to tow the van – we left it at the caravan park in Cairns.

To get to Cooktown we travelled the inland route - Mulligan Highway. The landscape changed from sugar cane plantations to sparse savannah grasses, with scraggly trees.  Coming into Cooktown is the famous black mountain – indeed it is black – from the rock formations – very spectacular.

Being a keen historian Murray wanted to explore Cooktown – so named after Captain Cook. CC spent some time there exploring the botany and doing repairs to his ship.

We both enjoyed the esplanade walk, the information and displays were creative and interactive-especially the Musical Ship.

A ‘standby rate’, ($89.00),  saw us enjoy a river view from our motel room.

the motel in the background is where we stayed

view from motel over Endeavour river

Up bright and early the next day, we were on the road by 8.30am – off to drive the Bloomfield Track. This track has steep gradients of 8-10% - these patches are concreted in parts, the track is very narrow and has many water crossings which are tidal. The scenery is superb-rainforests, birds cheeping, and tropical plants.

We stopped briefly at the Lion’s Den Hotel – another hotel with memoriblla.

A morning tea stop at Waul Waul – the Aboriginal Art Centre – once again more of the glass bead works.

For the first time on our trip Murray expressed his disappointment at paying $13.00 for a 53 second ferry ride – there was no option – we needed to cross the river! Such a rip off – in SA the punts/ferries are free.

The Cape Tribulation/Daintree side of the track is very commercial with lodges, resorts and boutiques.

At the Daintree National Park we saw what looked like a leaf nest – or is it a spider’s nest?

From Port Douglas -the landscape is one of continuous sugar cane, banana/tea plantations. Running alongside the sugar cane plantations are train tracks – cane trains take the harvested cane to the processing sheds. Over 95% of Australia’s sugar is produced in FNQ. It is so green up here, so tropical with date palms, paw paws growing on the roadsides.

We both enjoyed the lushness of the area, the coast was clean and clear. Very pristine, clean green.

And now we are at Mission Beach - Murray looks like he has settled in .....