Cooktown low cost camp site is located on the corner of Adelaide and Walker St.1km south of Post office facilities shade/dump point/ mob coverage. 4bhrs and must pay at visitor centre to be issued a permit to be displayed. Visitor centre is open between 0900-5.00.Pets are allowed under control....Cooktown is a real beaut place to base yourself for at least a week. Been here a few times and always find it worth an other visit .Took the boys up to Grassy Hill look out tonight to see the magnificent sun set over the mountains which is simply stunning Can also view out to the Coral Sea and town and the Endeavour river Went and had a meal at the Cooktown Pub tonight (the locals call it the top pub )and I know why as it is just that,good meals a cold beer what more can one ask for. There is a beautiful monument here in memory of a Mrs Watson,the storey is quite sad to read ,she was the wife of a fisherman on Lizard Island, she lived out there while her husband was at sea,with her baby son.While her husband was at sea Aborigines attacked the house, one servant was killed. Mrs Watson and her baby son escaped in a boiling down tank,but unfortunately they both died due to lack of water, their bodies were found in Jan 1882 along with her diary.In Memorial Park there is also a monument that was built in 1887 that marks the spot where Capt Cook and the Endeavour landed.It was repaird in 1770.Some other interesting things to take a look at are the Musical ship/the Cannon and the Leopard tank.So many beaut restored old historical building also to take a look at. Tomorrow we are heading out to Endeavour falls and what ever else we stumble upon. I have had a few PMs from people wanting more info regarding this trip for when they travel this way,so please read here,as to many people to rely to personally ,but will keep you up to date via here.
Regards Herbie
-- Edited by herbie on Monday 17th of June 2013 01:31:35 AM
There are two museums in Cooktown. One of them has artefacts recovered from the reef that the Endeavour went aground that include an anchor and a small cannon. The other has a lot of photos and other stuff relating to the Palmer River Gold Rush, the reason Cooktown came into being. Both museums are "must sees" in my opinion. If you read the history of that gold rush you can't help but come to the conclusion that life on the gold fields was at least as wild and dangerous as anything in USA's "Wild West".
When you visited Grassy Hill (named by Cook) you would have realised the enormity of the task the Endeavour had to wend its way through all the shoals.
If you haven't already done so take a drive down to Helenvale and the Lion's Den pub. Head back on the highway going south and the turn off just before the (second) Annan River crossing after passing Black Mountain.
Vic, bitumen road up through Mareeba, Mt Molloy, Mt Carbine. It's a good road.
And when in Cooktown, also visit the historic botanical gardens. And I reckon the small RSL club is the best in the state, cold beer, good food and plenty of military memorabilia.
Visited a relo who was a teacher at nearby Hope Vale in 2005.
He took us to nearby cave that was covered in Aboriginal paintings.
We went to a spot along a dirt road where we followed a fence line at right angles to the road for a few Km, and then across a creek bed to a ridge line. Followed that for a bit to the site which was an overhanging rock making a great campsite/cave.
Doubt that I could find it after all this time.
It seems a few of his students had previously taken him there.
i absolutely love cooktown i do believe they have built a marina there now its been quite some time at least 12 years since i last saw the place but yes ive been several times on my way through to home from the top end or weipa ,gorgeous spot very much like nz i reckon
Vic, bitumen road up through Mareeba, Mt Molloy, Mt Carbine. It's a good road.
And when in Cooktown, also visit the historic botanical gardens. And I reckon the small RSL club is the best in the state, cold beer, good food and plenty of military memorabilia.
Thanks GarrynLyn,
If ever I get up that way again I might make the effort to get there, not sure at this stage if I'll leave WA again, probably just travel within.
Have enjoyed another day in Paradise ,Beautiful weather,with just a slight breeze.We went and had a walk around the town this morning ,Gee what you see while out walking never stops to amaze me.We visited the Cooktown museum,and found it to be one of the more interesting museums to have a squiz at,The pioneering history of up around this area is mind blowing ,how damn hard their life must have been just to survive from one day to the next.They really were on their own to survive up in these harsh conditions. the nautical collection and marine specimens are just fantastic.They even have the Croc that was used in the Crocodile Dundee movie,that Paul Hogen carried into the Walkerabout Hotel.Down on the wharf you can throw a line in or just chat to the locols to get to know the area just that little bit more,always recon they are the best source of local info.Just past the wharf on a walking path is the powder magazine used for storage of explosives,it is interesting that no one nail was used to build it's construction way back in 1874.It is the oldest brick building in the Cape.Lots of other interesting sites and buildings to see also. We headed out to Endeavour Falls about 30ks north .I always said if I ever visited another water fall in my life it would be due to needing a shower,but this water fall in something not to be missed it is tucked down the back of the the caravan park, a truly magnificent place to just sit and relax for how ever long one needs.The temp dropped about 10c or at least it felt like it.Green lush trees and ferns every where,There is a no swimming swimming here, just in case a Croc decides to pay a visit.We are going to move out here tomorrow to the c/ van park and stay thtwo nights ,as we want to go to Hopevale and then on out to Elim Beach for the day.But you have to get a permit to head to Elim Beach from the Servo in Hopevale...Permits up in this part of Oz is becoming like driving on the toll roads in the big smoke (you want to use that road or visit that area well you damn well pay for it brother ),,We also want to have a look at the Coloured Sand.,and the boys want to buy a painting each from the co op thingo in Hopevale.The roads up hear are ok this time of year as they mostly all have been graded after the Wet season,but they get a little rough and corrugated and rutted further the you get into the dry season ,and depending how much traffic has used the road or if they have had any rain.So the road conditions can change from day to day.Always check at tourist office or RACQ roads ,but they are not always up to date as we have found out ,the other place is the Capes own web site on road conditions as it is up dated every 12hrs.The roads TO Cooktown is sealed ,but towards WEIPA it still has some unsealed sections,but a lot of road works going on up that way.The roads/ tracks into most of the places of interest to visit off the main raods are a bit of hit and miss ,meaning some might have some sections sealed and a few ks unsealed and back to sealed,but other roads/ tracks can be very sandy and need to let your tires down to about 25.The reason we are going to move camp in the morning is because the c/ van parks up here are around $44 per night for two people and there is three of us so it puts the rate up to around $56a night,and we have had our two nights now at the $5 camp. Out at Endeavour c/van park it is $28per night powered,and it is set in the most beautiful surrounds.Today I was reading the local paper while having coffee in one of the cafes and laughed at the head lines ..it said LOCALS DEMAND CROC'S REMOVED FROM FRONT OF TOWN.I am hoping that it ment from the water in front of the town .The people up here are the nicest people always happy to stop and say hello.Wish we could stay longer here,but the boys only have six weeks off,me I have 6 months,so I have all the time in the world.But that can change if I find I am getting board.The Mr plods were busy on the trip down here from Coen had c/vans and motor homes pulled up heading north,but we were heading south so never got pulled over.
Please don't take offence at this Herbie but with respect can I offer a suggestion...
Could you break up lengthy posts such as in this thread into separate one or two sentence paragraphs with a line space between them. (as I have done here). It makes for much easier reading and is normal practice.
Im sorry for the way I wrote my post ,but as a few people had sent me requests to let them know how the trip was going instead of sending each person a separate report I thought I would just post it on here for them to read. Not realising other people would want to read it.
Loved your report herbie.Still untravelled as yet. My wife and I are avid readers of the forum and enjoy yours and everyones posts. And yes I believe lots read the posts. Keep them coming
herbie ,as we feel we are out there with you all enjoying the nomadic lifestyle. Cannot wait until we are there. A few health issues to sort out first. Hopefully not to long . Take care and
Having little interest in History and not enjoying paying for accomodation my appreciation of Cooktown was somewhat restricted, all I needed was a day to look over the beautiful scenery.
Can't comment on RSL or the Top Pub so I suppose that I missed out on that too. All in all well worth a visit but it is a long drive, was pleased to get back to Rifle Creek. John
Hi John, if you ever get back up Cooktown way,there is a top notch free camp out at Archer Point.
About 20ks out of town sign posted from Mulligans H/Way.The camping spots stretch all the way to the light house.Some of the best views in QLD from this spot.It can get a little windy ,but as the three beaches are all facing different direction there is always calm beach to relax on.
At low tides you can walk out to the reef and snorkel off the point, but be aware crocs and stinger are in these waters.Sun rises are magic from here a lot like Carmila Beach.The camp sites are tucked away in lots of little bays between headlands.
Lots of good land base fishing platforms in close proximity, so no need for a boat.We dragged some beauties from here.
There is no facilities all they ask you to do is take out what you bring in.
Cooktown has a 15k no camping embargo ,but this spot is about 5ks out of the no go zone.
The dirt track in is fine for your type of vehicle, but not if it has been raining,as like all roads/tracks up that way can become slippery /boggy.I think the locals like to use this spot for them self.Also from the light house the views are stunning.
We stayed out there for a day/night and only one other bus like you own was there.Did not see any sign about length of stay allowed..
Hope this may help you out if you ever want to head back that way
Agree with Herbie Archer point is a terrific place to camp and although I didnt fish saw others pulling in a great feed a really nice place to stop and relax for a few days.
__________________
Life was meant to be enjoyed Australia was meant to be explored
Happily doing both to the Max.
Life is like a camera, focus on what's important & you will capture it every Time
