Not much to report yet have arrived in Cooktown after two days of solid driving from Normanton around 900kms and have booked into the Cooktown Caravan Park for two nights. The price is good compared to Darwin, $20 per night for a powered site for a solo and $15 unpowered.
Intend to sightsee tomorrow and hopefully will have more to report then with some pics.
John
Happywanderer said
03:33 AM Jun 3, 2012
Wasn't there anything of interest between Normaton and Cooktown John. Slow down man, no use hurrying back to Gold Coast too soon, the weather is crap. P'S. A few grey nomads are in Mareeba, pity you missed them dashing through.
yeoeleven said
03:57 AM Jun 3, 2012
Have slowed down already having booked into a park for 2 nights.
There probably were lots of things to see between Normanton and Cooktown, the lava tubes for one but I wanted to get back to the east coast and have now have done that.
There is nothing for me on the Gold Coast now but I enjoy the coastal areas and am looking forward to cruising down the east coast.
If the Gold Coast was the main objective I wouldn't have gone out of my way up to Cooktown when I could have more easily gone to Cairns.
John
Happywanderer said
04:01 AM Jun 3, 2012
Hope I didn't offend you John, I have followed your posts and blog with great interest. Just some places you have spend quite a while and others you seem to have raced through. I do enjoy reading all your experiences. I always look forward to the next day of your trips.
Happywanderer said
04:03 AM Jun 3, 2012
Should have also added as soon as I see a new post from you I get the map out so I can follow you on paper too.
Cruising Granny said
05:29 AM Jun 3, 2012
Kick back John. Are you going up to the Tabelands on your way south? From Cooktown you can do a bit of inland and coastal touring. The coast does get a bit pricey from Pt. Douglas. Which way are you heading south from Cooktown? Take it easy. It's the only way to take it.
yeoeleven said
06:21 AM Jun 3, 2012
My original plan was to go round Australia via the coast and to date that is what I have done as far as my 2WD Hi Ace has allowed me and that is why I have gone to Cooktown. Even though it will be more costly I will continue to follow the coast down to the Gold Coast.
My longer term plan is to go inland and take my time travelling north in the winter and south in the summer. Then I will be looking to see as much as I can in each area but the original plan did not include seeing as much as I could although recently with Steven I have seen more than I expected to and enjoyed it.
I intend to be back north next winter and then explore the Tablelands and other places that I have just skipped past. In the middle of winter I expect to spend a couple of months around that area just as in the middle of summer I expect to be down as far as Victoria for a couple of months.
John
Happywanderer said
05:40 PM Jun 3, 2012
Good John, hope to see you at Greens Lake, Victoria over the summer.
yeoeleven said
09:12 PM Jun 3, 2012
I have been elsewhere for all the get togethers to date but will make a point of getting to one next summer at Greens.
I spent time looking at the sights in Cooktown, firstly went to the Information Centre which is in the Botanical Gardens and asked for guidance on seeing Cooktown in a day. I was told that the museum was a must and that I could spend a couple of hours there. Cooktown is mostly historical and that is the main subject to persue there.The previous Botanical Gardens I looked at were in Darwin where the manicured lawns and maintained pathways did stand out in comparison but the natural look was appealing and some of the trees were enormous.
At the end of the road where the Gardens are located is Finch Bay a lovely spot and from there I went to the lookout with 360 degrees of magnificent views. Down to the Esplanade with it's interesting shops, pubs and cafes complete with a boat ramp and many historical sites with plenty of parking along the foreshore but the no camping signs were evident.
John
pauline said
10:17 PM Jun 3, 2012
now that is a place we gotta see...........your shots are great.
Cruising Granny said
11:44 PM Jun 3, 2012
It's a place which demonstrates history and much of the buildings are still there as evidence of settlement. Now, if you want a great feed of barra, the cafe' on the jetty does a bewdy. Well they did in 2008-09. Haven't had barra since, so I don't spoil the memory. Great feed for a reasonable price. It seems as though you're achieving your dream John. It's a great feeling.
When I set out from Broome in 2007 with the van, my goal was the Daintree, and I gave myself 12 months to do it, and I did. I was so flabergasted at my achievement I pulled into the car park at Mossmon Gorge and cried with pride and satisfaction. "I did it!" After that, and anything since that has really been an anti-climax, but achievements none the less. I have more travelling to do too.
Mergatroy said
01:12 AM Jun 4, 2012
Hi John, Im currently staying in Port Douglas, when do you plan to come through ? would like to catch up and have a coffe, or something.
yeoeleven said
02:21 AM Jun 4, 2012
Mergatroy wrote:
Hi John, Im currently staying in Port Douglas, when do you plan to come through ? would like to catch up and have a coffe, or something.
Would like to meet up am leaving Cooktown in the morning (Monday) and intend to go down the inland route and back up to see some of the Daintree but have no idea of timing or of internet/phone/optus.
I will access my PMs before leaving can you send me details as to where you are staying plus phone number?
Look forward to catching up with you,
John
bill12 said
02:53 AM Jun 4, 2012
There is a good free camp at Rifle ck, just outside Mt Molloy, on the way back from Cooktown.Tiolets, and a nice creek down the back, for a gold coin donation a day. The road turns left to Port Douglas just up the road, but beware , its very steep.Once down on the coast, you can go up to Daintree. Having a 4wd, I usually go down the Bloomfield track. You have got to stop at the Lions den for lunch or a beer or two.Its a classic.you have to have one Saturday night at the lions den , strange bods come out of the woodwork.Bill
jilly888 said
03:31 AM Jun 4, 2012
Hi Bill we hope to go on the bloomfield track whilst up in Cairns late July.we have 4x4 can you tell me what the track is like and do you go right though from Daintree to Cooktown? We will leave our van in Cairns. Cheers Jill
bill12 said
04:04 AM Jun 4, 2012
Rough, but the scenery is spectacular. Don,t do it if its been raining as its very steep in places and slippery after rain.Bloomfield falls is brilliant, and the rainforest goes down to the sea.I slid of the road and into a table drain nr Cow bay, so go up in 4wd, as you get more control on the slipery sections.It only takes 4 or 5 hrs in good conditions.Bill
Cropper said
05:28 AM Jun 4, 2012
Hi yeoeleven,
I have been reading your blog, you certainly had had an adventure packed trip and you photo's are excellent.
Will certainly be visiting some of the places you have visited in the future, much visual splendour along the way if your blog is anything to go by.
Safe travels, Cropper
Cruising Granny said
05:56 AM Jun 4, 2012
John has missed his career opportunity. You should have been a tourist salesman, promoting all the wonderful destinations. Maybe you can start now. In fact I think you might have innocently done just that. Your photos alone are enough to make us want to go there. You done good! Keep up the good work if you slow down enough to enjoy where you are. Take it easy heading south. The camping spot at Mt. Molloy near the turn off to Pt. Douglas is a nice spot with toilets.
Gerty Dancer said
11:17 PM Jun 4, 2012
jilly888 wrote:
Hi Bill we hope to go on the bloomfield track whilst up in Cairns late July.we have 4x4 can you tell me what the track is like and do you go right though from Daintree to Cooktown? We will leave our van in Cairns. Cheers Jill
When you get to Cape Trib, stay a while, beautiful spot! And call into the general store (used to be called Masons) to pick up their detailed map of the Bloomfiels track. Some of the water crossings are bumpy, and theres a couple of 1in3 slopes, but its ok so long as its dry. You can go all the way to Cooktown, and that road is narrow and rough but less steep.
dawa said
12:32 AM Jun 5, 2012
900 in two days.....wow
enjoy yr stay
Dawa
jilly888 said
02:53 AM Jun 5, 2012
Thanks for the info on the bloomfield track guys,hopefully it wont be too wet after the rain they have had up north lately,if not we will give it a go. Cheers Jill
golivers travels said
05:06 AM Jun 5, 2012
Cooktown, one of my favourite places.
Glenda
Mary said
04:01 AM Jun 6, 2012
Have thoroughly enjoyed your posts and pics.if you are anywhere near the Lava tubes don't miss it -spectacular Cheers, mary
Not much to report yet have arrived in Cooktown after two days of solid driving from Normanton around 900kms and have booked into the Cooktown Caravan Park for two nights. The price is good compared to Darwin, $20 per night for a powered site for a solo and $15 unpowered.
Intend to sightsee tomorrow and hopefully will have more to report then with some pics.
John
P'S. A few grey nomads are in Mareeba, pity you missed them dashing through.
Have slowed down already having booked into a park for 2 nights.
There probably were lots of things to see between Normanton and Cooktown, the lava tubes for one but I wanted to get back to the east coast and have now have done that.
There is nothing for me on the Gold Coast now but I enjoy the coastal areas and am looking forward to cruising down the east coast.
If the Gold Coast was the main objective I wouldn't have gone out of my way up to Cooktown when I could have more easily gone to Cairns.
John
From Cooktown you can do a bit of inland and coastal touring. The coast does get a bit pricey from Pt. Douglas.
Which way are you heading south from Cooktown? Take it easy. It's the only way to take it.
My original plan was to go round Australia via the coast and to date that is what I have done as far as my 2WD Hi Ace has allowed me and that is why I have gone to Cooktown. Even though it will be more costly I will continue to follow the coast down to the Gold Coast.
My longer term plan is to go inland and take my time travelling north in the winter and south in the summer. Then I will be looking to see as much as I can in each area but the original plan did not include seeing as much as I could although recently with Steven I have seen more than I expected to and enjoyed it.
I intend to be back north next winter and then explore the Tablelands and other places that I have just skipped past. In the middle of winter I expect to spend a couple of months around that area just as in the middle of summer I expect to be down as far as Victoria for a couple of months.
John
I have been elsewhere for all the get togethers to date but will make a point of getting to one next summer at Greens.
I spent time looking at the sights in Cooktown, firstly went to the Information Centre which is in the Botanical Gardens and asked for guidance on seeing Cooktown in a day. I was told that the museum was a must and that I could spend a couple of hours there. Cooktown is mostly historical and that is the main subject to persue there.The previous Botanical Gardens I looked at were in Darwin where the manicured lawns and maintained pathways did stand out in comparison but the natural look was appealing and some of the trees were enormous.
At the end of the road where the Gardens are located is Finch Bay a lovely spot and from there I went to the lookout with 360 degrees of magnificent views. Down to the Esplanade with it's interesting shops, pubs and cafes complete with a boat ramp and many historical sites with plenty of parking along the foreshore but the no camping signs were evident.
John
Now, if you want a great feed of barra, the cafe' on the jetty does a bewdy. Well they did in 2008-09. Haven't had barra since, so I don't spoil the memory. Great feed for a reasonable price.
It seems as though you're achieving your dream John. It's a great feeling.
When I set out from Broome in 2007 with the van, my goal was the Daintree, and I gave myself 12 months to do it, and I did.
I was so flabergasted at my achievement I pulled into the car park at Mossmon Gorge and cried with pride and satisfaction. "I did it!"
After that, and anything since that has really been an anti-climax, but achievements none the less. I have more travelling to do too.
Would like to meet up am leaving Cooktown in the morning (Monday) and intend to go down the inland route and back up to see some of the Daintree but have no idea of timing or of internet/phone/optus.
I will access my PMs before leaving can you send me details as to where you are staying plus phone number?
Look forward to catching up with you,
John
Cheers Jill
I have been reading your blog, you certainly had had an adventure packed trip and you photo's are excellent.
Will certainly be visiting some of the places you have visited in the future, much visual splendour along the way if your blog is anything to go by.
Safe travels,
Cropper
The camping spot at Mt. Molloy near the turn off to Pt. Douglas is a nice spot with toilets.
When you get to Cape Trib, stay a while, beautiful spot! And call into the general store (used to be called Masons) to pick up their detailed map of the Bloomfiels track. Some of the water crossings are bumpy, and theres a couple of 1in3 slopes, but its ok so long as its dry. You can go all the way to Cooktown, and that road is narrow and rough but less steep.
900 in two days.....wow
enjoy yr stay
Dawa
Cheers Jill
Cooktown, one of my favourite places.
Glenda
Cheers,
mary