The Bloomfield Track

Cooktown
Cooktown was windy and cold, we didn't do much fishing - those fishing charters nevered happened. Instead we focused on sightseeing and relaxing. We climbed Mount Cook (which tested our non-exsistent fitness levels - that triathlon was a looooooooooooong time ago). We went out to the spectualar Archer Point and visited Keating Lagoon. We also dined at the 1770 restaurant and sampled some crocodile spring rolls (they tasted like chicken - but chewier). We also read books and drank a few beers. Cooktown is a beautiful spot and we wouldn't mind coming back one day.

View from Mount Cook

Mmmmmmm..... crocodile spring rolls

Keatings Lagoon - ACHTUNG!!!!!

Captain Cook

We left Cooktown bright and early and were ready to tackle the infamous Bloomfield track which is the costal route from Cooktown to Cape Tribulation. Due to the 'big wet season' work was being undertaken on the Bloomfield River Causeway which resulted in a 20 minute wait. Waz met a former collegue from DPI and they enjoyed a chinwag while Belle enjoyed chatting about camp kitchens with his wife. Once over the river the going got pretty tough and we drove through some of the steepest country we ever have. It is kind of scary driving down near verticle slopes with over a tonne of trailer behind you. Regardless - it is a beautiful drive through the rainforrest, and while stopping for a widdle stop - I managed to see the elusive cassowary. It took us three and a half hours to drive the 110km from Cooktown to Cape Tribulation, which gives you an idea of how tough the going was.

We checked out a few places on the coast, but decided to stay at the Daintree village. We got a bit sick of absolute beachfront campsites, so we decided that we would like an absolute river campsite instead - while we are writing this blog we are overlooking the Daintree River (with a cold stones gingerbeer in hand). By the way it is probabaly about 27degrees celcius........... How's Brisbane?????

The Bloomfield Track - very steep

View from our campsite on the Daintree River

Property bordering the Daintree

Mossman Gorge

The Yowie in his natural habitat

Nice tree

We did a bit of sighseeing around Cape Tribulation and explored the Daintree National Park. We sampled some of the famous Daintree local ice cream, and walked along many of the walking tracks. Ever Friday night is Pizza night at the Daintree Village Camp Ground, it was an experience that we will never forget. We gathered around the communal camp fire with our fellow campers while we waited for our pizzas to be delivered. Our fellow campers wer certainly a mixed bag. There were a group of young French Backpackers, drunk yuppy Sydneysiders, strange German fuddyduddys who played the harmonica, grumpy old men who moaned about their lives and the the gay properietor who wore t-shirts that were at least 5 sizes too small that exposed his hairy pudgy gut.

The next day we drove to Port Douglas to visit our friends Kev and Carmen (who own an impressive dive boat), they had invited us to spend the night on their boat. We went for a cruise up the creek in one of the tenders and got up close and personal with a big crocodile. Instead of driving into town for dinner, we drove the boat up to the yacht club and enjoyed a boozy dinner and a game of pool.  The next morning (with a slight hangover) we climbed the Bump Track.  This was a very steep exhausting climb, but the views were amazing and it was good to get the heart rate up.

Another bloody croc......

A little bit close if you ask me.....

View from the Bump Track

We are currently staying in Cairns for a couple of nights. We needed to get some work done on the camper trailer, rods repaired and the car and boat are both due for services. I also think that I will book myself in for a service (haircut, pedicure and manicure that is). Wednesday morning we plan to jump into the big rig and make our way up to the Gulf.