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 .....

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Cairns festival

Julia has not had an outing for a while, so we took her with us into Cairns to visit the Cairns Festival.

We loved the esplanade and as you can see from these photos – Julia had a wonderful time.

Because Cairn beaches are not suitable to swim at due to salties and box stinger jellyfish-a lagoon and beach have been created on the esplande - a very popular spot.

She met a dog made from plywood

 made friends with Ruth,

met a crab

 became caught in the ghost net weaving workshop and exhibits at the Cairns Regional Art Gallery,

went fishing and enjoyed a cold drink

Another WOW Factor – on par with our flight over Kakadu.

Free camping gives us the opportunity to build up our ‘kitty’, thus allowing us the opportunity to experience those special touristy must dooooooooos……………….

The Kuranda Railway and Skyrail is one of those experiences……

$114.00 each – very good value- we were picked up from our camping ground – into the city to pick up more passengers and out to Freshwater Train Station to board our carriage. The train trip takes 1 1/2hrs and winds up to Kuranda, through the rainforests – this village is renowned for markets and arty farty stuff. We found it like another Bali-not too much quality.

We had a nice lunch, wandered around for a couple hours,  then the highlight- caught the Skyrail down the mountain.

The railway was started in 1886 –is 37 kilometres in length,  ascends 327 meters, includes 15 tunnels, 55 bridges and 98 curves. It was built to link the rich mining belt to the sea and took 5 years to complete.

The train runs twice a day – carrying up to 1000 people at a time! A wonderful rich tourist venture.

The Skyrail comprises of a 7.5km cableway journey through heritage rainforest. There are 2 stopping points – Red Peak station – view the giant kauri and Barron Falls station – a 260 metre falls. The entire trip takes 1 ½ hours. I don’t know how high we were but we looked down on the tree tops.

Each gondola holds up to 6 people – we were fortunate and had it to ourselves.

A very good day out – the wet humid weather has gone and now we are having sunny days and balmy evenings…