Nele & Andrew Around Oz

Day 211 – 15^th September 2011

Peninsula Caravan Park, Cooktown, QLD

After brekky we backtracked slightly on the Bloomfields Track to take the road to Shipton’s Flat in search of tree kangaroos – no luck but it was still a nice drive. Next we returned to The Lions Den Hotel and very soon after we left the dirt road behind and were back on the highway. We travelled west to have a look at Little Annan River Gorge and Falls, before turning east towards Cooktown. At the Black Mountain Lookout a grey nomad couple informed us about the Trevethan Falls, so we followed their directions taking us via a 4WD track to a 200m walk to the falls. Next turn off from the highway lead us to Archer Point where it was very windy – Nele almost got blown away - but offering a beautiful view of the coastline and the hills beyond. Late afternoon we arrived in Cooktown where we first visited the Nature’s Powerhouse aka the visitor information centre to book some accommodation offering unpowered camping for us and a cabin for Andrew’s parents. After a drive through town and a coffee stop at the Sovereign Hill Resort Pub/Café we drove to the caravan park to set up our little tent in the middle of the campground - the only spot where no trees were towering above us as a sign pointed out that “limbs can fall without warning” and Cooktown is known to be windy. We had dinner out at The Italian Restaurant where we all enjoyed a fabulous pasta and live music from the local entertainment duo – very nice so highly recommended going there on a Thursday night. In the middle of the night we decided to take up Sue’s offer to sleep on the floor of their cabin as the wind was raging through the trees and we weren’t feeling too safe with the sound of branches fallen down. This was at the same time another camper decided to move his tent from wherever he was camping under the trees to a spot nearby us – guess he wasn’t feeling too safe either.

Good morning sleeping beauty

Road to Shipton's Flat

Shipton's Flat?

Little Annan River

Andrew enjoying the view

Little Annan River

Little Annan Gorge

Little Annan Falls

Black Mountain

Black Mountain Lookout

Mt Olgas Road to the falls

Trevethan Falls

Andrew and Sue looking at the fish in the pool

Trevethan Falls

Another view of Black Mountain

Drive to Archer Point

Very windy - Nele almost got blown away

Nice views

Lighthouse at Archer Point

Archer point

Archer Point

Pretty beach at Archer Point

Cooktown wharf

Cooktown

Warning sign at caravan park

Our treeless spot in the caravan park

The Italian

Day 210 – 14^th September 2011

The Lion's Den Hotel, Helenvale, QLD

Today we travelled on the Bloomfield 4WD Track towards Cooktown. We left our vans in storage at Cape Tribulation Camping and packed the 4WD Suzuki. First stop was near the Giant Strangler Fig where a walking path led to Emmagen Beach. Before crossing Emmagen Creek we took a walk (1.5km return – 30min) to a series of waterholes where you can actually swim (croc-free) but we decided to continue on, as there is plenty more to see along the way. We crossed Donovan’s Range with a first steep climb and descent of 20% and a stop at the “spectacular” Donovan lookout. At South Cowie Beach the mangroves are exposed at low tide, which we timed well so we went for another short walk. Next we climbed up 30% on the Cowie Range to the Bill Forrester Lookout, where apart from the sign you couldn’t see anything (not sure where the good view - as described in the Bloomfields map - of South Cowie Beach went to?). After the steep Cowie descent (with hairpin bend) we stopped at Pearce’s Hill Lookout offering the best views so far along the track and crocodiles can often be seen at low tide on the sand banks although we didn’t spot any. Finally we arrived at the famous Bloomfield River causeway for which you need to check the tides in advance as it can have water on it but it was perfectly dry today. After crossing the river it was time for lunch before having a look at the Bloomfield Falls – no swimming here as there are crocodiles. We travelled through Ayton before taking the turn off to Weary Bay where a narrow 4WD track took us to the Bloomfield River Mouth. At Rossville we drove to Home Rule Rainforest Lodge where a chat to the local ranger taught us that the Cedar Bay walking track is an overnight hike so we soon were on our way again. Late afternoon we arrived at the historic Lion's Den Hotel where we set up camp for the night - our little tent next to the safari tent of Andrew’s parents as they are glamping. We enjoyed a true Aussie pub grub meal of Chicken Schnitzel with chips. Before going to bed Nele added our names to the pub wall/roof in return for a donation to the RFDS.