Wednesday, July 26, 2006

 
COOKTOWN

Monday 24th July:

It was a perfect day for a drive to Cooktown. Ferg and I went for our last walk along Cooya Beach, the sunrise was magnificent. We were packed and on the road by 8.30am. We stopped at Rifle Creek to check out the free camp area. There were about 20 caravans parked at the site. We will probably stop here on the way back from Cooktown.

We are staying at the Cooktown Caravan Park and we have a nice site among the gum trees. We took a drive around Cooktown after we settled in. Drove up the Grassy Hill and got some 360 degree views of Cooktown, Endeavour River and the ocean. Even Twistie found a playmate on Grassy Hill! Back at the park we met up with John and Mary (owners) for happy hour and we found out about the good fishing and walking spots.
Tuesday 25th July:

We went down to the wharf at 7am to try our luck at fishing. We caught some small bream on prawns and squid. The locals were catching mackerel with live bait. Our peace was disturbed though when the big Captain Cook Cruise boat came into the wharf and we were invaded by tourists. Early afternoon Ferg took a long walk up Mt. Cook (too much for me!). We again attended happy hour and met several other caravanners.

Wednesday 26th July:

Fished again, Ferg hooked a large Mangrove Jack on live bait but lost it just as he was pulling it in. Ferg went to bowls at the Cooktown Bowls club this afternoon while I took it easy back at the van. Later in the evening we both went to barefoot bowls at the club.

Thursday 27th July:

Early morning at the wharf again and we finally caught a good size mackerel. We got two good fillets for dinner. Drove out to Archer Point in the afternoon. What a magnificent spot. We kicked the Pajero into 4wd for the first time as we crossed several creeks on the way in. It is a great spot to camp but we wouldn't be able to get the van in.

Friday 28th July:

Early wharf fishing again, no luck this time. Left at 10am to do the Bloomfield track, stopped at the Black Mountain Lookout on the way. Next stop was Hidden Falls at Mungumby Lodge. It was a great rainforest walk along a mountain stream. The Bloomfield track was pretty good, very dry and dusty. The Bloomfield Falls was worth the drive.












Saturday 29th July:

Wharf fishing again, no bites today so we gave up early. Had a walk around the Cooktown Markets then went to the cemetery for a walk around, saw a very old chinese shrine. Ferg went for a long walk through the Botanic Gardens then up over the mountain to Cherry Tree Bay.

Sunday 30th July:

Last day in Cooktown, the wind has picked up and high tide is not until lunchtime so we gave the early morning fishing a miss today. We enjoyed a lovely morning tea put on by the van park owners Mary and John. Late morning we drove down to the old Annan Bridge and tried our luck fishing but got no bites. Went for a walk through the Botanical Gardens over to Finches Bay in the afternoon.
"Cooktown Caravan Park - campsite"

Sunday, July 23, 2006

 
MORE COOYA BEACH

Friday 21st July:

After the big day yesterday we stayed close to home and put our feet up. We did a quick trip into Mossman for some groceries.

Saturday 22nd July:

Got up at daylight and did some fishing off the beach in front of Deb's place. I caught two small size bream and Ferg pulled in two mud crabs, also too small. It was good to get the lines wet at long last. Later in the morning we went into Mossman Market. It is very small but quite interesting as it is set up under some enormous raintrees.

Sunday 23rd July:

Went in early to the Port Douglas Markets to beat the tourists from Cairns. They have certainly grown over the past few years and there are some very colourful stalls. Back a Cooya we started packing up as we are heading off tomorrow for Cooktown. We enjoyed a lovely long walk along the beach in the afternoon. It's been great staying here with Deb. Unfortunately I don't think the peace will last here as the developers have got their hands on a large block of land behind the beach. So next time we pass this way I imagine the place will be a lot busier.

"Our Cooya Beach Camp Site" (thanks Deb!)


Friday, July 21, 2006

 
COOYA BEACH

Wednesday 19th July:

Took Twistie for an early morning walk along the creek and to the park. Packed up early and we were on the road by 9am. Deb from Undersea Explorer had kindly offered to let us park at her beachfront house in Cooya Beach which is 15 minutes north of Port Douglas. It's a great spot, the van fits in nicely under Deb's garage awning. Went for a lovely walk along the beach.

Thursday 20th July:

The weather is magnificent today so we decided to explore the Daintree and Cape Tribulation area. We had and early morning walk along Cooya Beach before heading off on our day's journey.









First stop Daintree Village with it's "Big Barra". Unfortunately the timber museum didn't open until 10am so on we went to the ferry crossing. Deb had lent us her ferry card so we got across for free. (Every little bit helps!) Next stop was Alexandra Range lookout where we got a good view of the Daintree River mouth. Further up the road we stopped at the Jindalba Boardwalk which is built among the rainforest. We took the short 700m walk crossing lovely forest streams cascading over the rocks.

Further along the road we turned off to Cow Bay, it was OK but not quite as good as some of the other beaches along the way. The road then climbed over Noah Range, along the way we were fortunate to see a cassowary on the side of the road. We stopped at Marrdja Mangrove boardwalk and had a wander through massive mangroves with glimpses of Oliver Creek. Kept our eye out for crocs but didnt spot any.

We arrived at Cape Tribulation at lunchtime, just in time to share the beach with loads of tourists from the buses. Nevermind we had the inside goss and headed up the road to the Cape Trib Beach House resort. We wandered through the resort (tried to look as if we belonged there) and out onto the beach. This is truly where the rainforest meets the sea. There were massive trees growing out onto the beach and wonderful freshwater streams flowing out of the forest onto the beach.


As it was lunchtime we found a spot along the road back to stop. We set up our chairs and esky and enjoyed the view on our private beach.



"Cafe Cape Trib" & "View"


We stopped at the Daintree Icecream Factory on the way back and enjoyed a mixed tub of icecream consisting of Yellow Sapote, Wattleseed, Soursop and Jackfruit flavours. Our last stop before the ferry was out to Cape Kimberley. There was a lovely beach overlooking Snapper Island and great camping area.

"Ferg on Daintree River Ferry Crossing"

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

 
CAIRNS

Sunday 16th July:

Rained all day and we were stuck inside the van at Kurrimine. Went for a walk in the drizzle in the late afternoon. Hope tomorrow is better.

Monday 17th July:
Weather looks better today, at least the rain held off while we packed up. We arrived at Cool Waters Holiday Park in Cairns at 11am. Its a very big park jammed with caravans and campers. The park backs onto Freshwater Creek and luckily we have a rear site overlooking the creek.

We left Twistie on her own for the first time while we drove up to Smithfield Shopping Centre for a shopping fix. We asked our neighbours to listen out for her to see if she whinged while we were away. When we got back our neighbours said "What dog!". She hadnt made a squeak the whole time we were away. "Trailer Trash"

We took Twistie for a long walk along the creek and found a great dog exercise park.

She had a wonderful time walking along the rainforest track along the creek.

Tuesday 18th July:

Checked out Cairns shops today, went to Stockland Shopping Centre in Earlville. We did some sightseeing in the afternoon to Lake Placid and Barron Gorge.







Also took the road half way up to Copperload Dam to get some Cairns photos from the lookouts.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

 
ON THE ROAD AT LAST

Wednesday 12th July:
The van was packed and we said our farewells to Don and Sue. As we drove off from their house the rain started coming down. (Ferg Factor!) We had a wet trip up to Cardwell and arrived at the Cardwell Caravan Park early afternoon. We were allocated a good site and our neighbours were Doug and Mavis from WA. We had been reading about their journey on Diver Doug's website (www.aplaceinthesun.com.au). We had been in contact via email and it was good to finally meet. It kept raining all afternoon so we all sat under the annexe and exchanged dive and travel stories.

Thursday 13th July:
Still raining, no point in moving on as it is wet all along the coast. Ferg and I went for a walk down to the jetty and beach but had to cut it short when the rain started. It was pretty miserable being confined to the van for our first full day on the road but we hoped it would fine up on Friday. We have booked two nights at the Kurrimine Caravan Park. Doug and Mavis also decided to stay another night so we enjoyed another happy hour under our annexe.

Friday 14th July:
Finally some breaks in the clouds. Ferg and I were up very early and went for a long walk along the Cardwell beachfront. The sun came up and tried very hard to shine through the clouds. We packed up slowly and left Cardwell by 9am. We were held up just outside of Kennedy where an Australia Post B-Double truck had rolled. Half the highway was blocked while it was rescued. Arrived at Kurrimine Caravan Park at 10am and were met by the owner Sue. It's was Christmas in July BBQ night so we were able to meet lots of the other vanners. We all got dressed up, even Twistie. Everyone got into the spirit of Christmas and we all had a great night.














Saturday 15th July:
Got up early for a walk along the beach but just as we were about to leave it started to rain. We went into Innisfail to buy some groceries. On the way back we did a bit of site seeing and drove into Etty Bay. What a lovely little bay with a great caravan park right on the beach. Unfortunately we can't stay there as dogs are not allowed. Back at the van park we finally have a chance to get on the internet. Spent a quite afternoon lazing around the van. We hope to go for a long walk later if the rain holds off.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

 

OUR LAST DAYS IN TOWNSVILLE

We have been standing still for the last few weeks while we finalise our financial and health matters. These will be completed early next week and we will finally be on the road. In the meantime we are very grateful for Sue and Don's generosity in letting us park in their backyard.

Each morning we take Twistie for a walk around South Townsville. It is lovely walking along the beach in the early morning. We are discovering places in Townsville that we never knew existed. The Port Authority has funded a wonderful environmental park which begins at the end of Boundary Street, South Townsville. The park has several paths winding through lovely shaded gardens and extends almost all the way down to Palmer Street.


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