Now we're getting serious....

The Bloomfield Track & Trevethan Falls - Saturday 7 June

In the morning before we left, we went for a walk to look at the river mouth where one of our fellow campers caught a barramundi, and seen a croc. If was raining a bit and we had to walk over rocky mangroves to get to the creek, one of the staff at the park said we wouldn't see the croc at this time of day because it was feeding time not resting time (I mentioned to Hutchy that I didn't think feeding time was the best time to be looking for a croc but we went anyway)....

Anyway, the same staff member had mentioned to Hutchy some falls which were a bit off the beaten track but not too far away and said we would get there with 4WD and van no worries, so we set off to first tackle the Bloomfield Track which is the coast road out of Daintree north of Cape Tribulation, 32kms of 4WD only track and then a further 30 odd kms of unsealed road, find these falls and on the way to visit the Lions Den which is a famous pub at the end of the Bloomfield Track.

The Bloomfield Track was a great experience, the first creek crossing we came to was at the door level on the car and caravan, but that was about the deepest. The steepest hill presented a bit of a problem as we approached it in high 4WD not realising how steep it was going to be, got a few car lengths up and realised we weren't going to make it, backed down, shifted into low 4WD and tried again. We eventually made it up, amidst concerns about the extra engine noises we could hear being the gearbox. We saw our first croc sunning itself on the bank of the Bloomfield River just out of the Wujal Wujal community. It took us just over 2 hours to travel 32kms and then almost another hour for the next 30kms. We left our campsite at 10:30am and got to the Lions Den 60kms away at 1:30pm just in time for a beer and lunch. Great pub, stickers and writing all over the walls, and most everyone is just passing through on their way to or from the Bloomfield Track so there is an amazing sense of adventure and freedom.


Warning sign for the Bloomfield Track


Now we're getting serious. A proper 4WD track at last!


Our first croc! Bloomfield River



From the Lions Den you can see Black Mountain, this is an incredible pile of black granite rocks, it actually looks like a giant dump truck has just dropped the rocks in the middle of nowhere, and is said to be a sacred area for the local indigenous people, amazingly though, the brochure that I read said that the lighter coloured areas on the mountain are from when the rocks get so hot that they explode!!!


Base of Black Mountain


Lions Den Hotel

So we continued on our way to the Trevethan Falls, which the staff at the Cape Tribulation Camping Ground had told us about. He told us it was a good road, well it was for the first 7-8 kms but then you turn off the main gravel road and head up what can only be generously described as a goat track, we passed a group coming back from the falls who told us we wouldn't get much further with the van but there was a bit of a clearing where we could turn around. We kept going. We eventually came to halt at a reasonably tight corner which had pretty much half of the road washed away in a gully about 2 foot deep. That's when Hutchy got out of the car to see what the rest of the road was like and if there was anywhere for us to turn around. But we pretty much had no choice but to keep going as there was no way he could have backed the van down the 2-3 kms of road. He came back and said there was a clearing but pretty rough track up ahead. We kept going. The track in some parts was covered with exposed rocks and tree roots, some that had been cut off so Hutchy was worried about them ripping the sides of the tyres on the van, also trees hanging over the road which to go in on the angles needed to avoid the rocks and tree roots made it a bit tricky to bring the van around withougt hitting the trees. All in all Hutchy did a fantastic job driving, and the van held up extremely well as did the car, we love our Landcruiser! I reckon we could get into just about anywhere


This was the good part of the track....


Trevethan Falls


This is the life!


The beautiful Trevethan Falls again....

We really had no option but to stay the night here as there was no way we could get back out before dark. We had a good night relaxing under the stars with our little campfire and this beautiful spot all to ourselves!

Cape Tribulation!

Cape Tribulation - Friday 6 June

So we set off from Ellis Beach for the Cape Tribulation section of the Daintree National Park, Jesse was up early and we had packed up pretty quickly, so we thought we might get to Cooktown, but we didn't know what this day would hold as we really had no idea how long it would take us to get through the northern section of the coast road 'the Bloomfield Track' which is 32km of 4WD road, we weren't even sure if we could get through with our caravan but thought we had a pretty good chance. When we got to the Daintree River Ferry at around 10:00am, the ticket lady told us about 3-4 hours to Cooktown and we would have no worries with the van. When we got to Cape Trib (another hour up the road), the fella at the information centre said another 3-4 hours from there mmmmm.... We decided to stop at Cape Tribulation Camping Ground (as Hutchy said, we should stay one night in the Daintree anyway), the lady at the camping ground said it only takes her 1-2 hours when the track is good, okay, so we still really had no idea how long it was going to take. Anyway, we had a good afternoon at Cape Trib, spent a bit of time at the beach and did one of the boardwalk tracks through the park and we met some lovely people from around Philip Island area, Dave and Pauline, who had hired a van and were touring around Cairns area for two weeks, we subsequently passed them twice on the road in the next few days.


Ferry over the Daintree River heading into Cape Tribulation section of Daintree National Park


Love the road signs....

Cairns - Ellis Beach

Ellis Beach - Wednesday 4 & Thursday 5 June

Ellis Beach is about 30kms North of Cairns, a pretty spot but unfortunately the only camp sites they had were right on the highway, quite literally 10 meters from the van, oh well, paid for two nights and no refunds so decided to make the most of it and head into Cairns the next day to check it out and then head up to Cooktown, after that, we planned to return to Cairns to do a dive and some other tours and then head West out to Mount Isa.

We had a really great day in Cairns, the esplanade there has the best playground for kids with lots of really interesting concepts and waterplay, Jesse had a great time. We spent the morning at the playground, then went into the town centre and had some lunch (found a sushi train! which also served fruit gelato's in little cups for Jess, perfect...). Then we went for a walk along the marina to look at the big boats! Check out the photos! This one had a helicopter, two jet-skis and two boats on board that are all launched by cranes! We spoke to the deckhand on this boat, it takes the owner plus 4 guests and 10 staff!, and it is only used for fishing and diving expeditions. The helicopter is for places like Alaska where they have to go inland for fly ishing....


Classic sign! Cassowaries are a protected species so there are cautionary road signs everywhere from Mission Beach up to the Daintree, and they can grow up to 2 metres tall so this sign is actually almost proportioned correctly. We didn't see any real Cassowaries unfortunately.....


Cairns Esplanade playground, water play in the toddlers area.


Cairns Esplanade Playground



Can you believe this? It wasn't the biggest boat there either, but it was the only one with a helicopter. Apparently the big balls on the very top are satellites and we were told that they could pick up / overhear 'a landline phone conversation from Ireland from the middle of the Pacific Ocean'

Babinda Boulders

Babinda Boulders - Tuesday 3 June

Another stunning free camp spot, just west of Babinda which is about 60kms south of Cairns. Babinda Boulders is a lovely rainforest gorge, very small free camping area so we were lucky we didn't have far to travel that day and arrived early to get a spot. Lovely walking and swimming area.

Babinda Boulders Gorge

Absolute beach frontage....

Bingle Bay Sunday 1st & Monday 2nd June

Did I say that Brooms Head was the best camping spot? Did I say that Yeppoon Caravan Park was the best beach frontage? Well, I lied on both counts. Bingil Bay is the best camping spot. Bingil Bay is just north of Mission Beach, a little community with only a corner shop and a few streets of houses and the most amazing camping spot ever! Just look at the photos, no further evidence required. Again, we had only planned to stay one night but when it came time to pack up in the morning I actually just couldn't bring myself to pack and leave this place. We had a great neighbour, Don, a Canadian travelling by his self in an old bombed Hiace he bought for $3,800 in Adelaide. He kept saying to us '"What more could I want?" while looking at the stunning view, and he was right!


You can't get any closer to beach than this! A million dollar view for $12.50 a night.


A boy hard at work 'mixing concrete'


Playing with Dad


Goes without saying!

Balgal Beach

Balgal Beach - Friday 30th & Saturday 31st May

One of the funny things I forgot to mention about Groper Creek, the 'residents' there even have herb pots growing outside their vans for seasoning their fishy catches.....

What more could you want than a FREE camping spot on the beach (with really good shells and a knockout view), a river mouth with boat ramp, a pub (beer garden) and fish & chip shop, and a great playground all in the one spot. We decided on this spot after much deliberation at Townsville, as there are about 5 good free camps in this area, and were both quite pleased to see the VB sign when we pulled into the campsite. Yeah, we were pretty happy with this spot, pity you're only allowed to stay 48 hours. Bull (our neighbour at Yandina) had told us about the pub at Rollingstone that had a jumping pillow so we decided to head in there on Saturday arvo to see if we could catch any footy on the big screen (ie: any screen as opposed to the radio!) We met a really nice couple Matt and Casey & two little girls who live in Townsville but go to Balgal for weekends. Matt is a plumber also and they had recently been on a big trip up the Cape so gave us some good tips and places to go.


The Fishermans Landing at Balgal Beach a welcome sign / sight


A stunning view of the islands from Balgal Beach


Hutchy fishing at the river mouth, he still hasn't caught anything worth eating.....

A place to stay....

Groper Creek, 28th & 29th May

We had planned to stay at the free camping spot "Funny Dunny" about 40kms north of Bowen, but missed the turn-off and ended up at Groper Creek. Another beautiful spot, about 15kms off the Bruce just south of Ayr. We had planned on only staying one night but it was just too nice to leave. The park is full of people that have been coming here for years and most of them camp for two or three months at a time over winter. All older people (I think we are the only ones under 55) and so friendly, we have been given fresh whiting, flathead and bream (already filleted) for dinner from our neighbours on one side and also freshly caught prawns (three batches from three different people). That's what I call hospitality. Hutchy still hasn't caught any fish worth eating and we are in fishermans paradise apparently. Jesse is a hit with everyone in the park of course and he has just been down on the bank of the river feeding fish offcuts to the pelicans with the neighbours. Every afternoon there is a 'happy hour' at someones van, which is full of laughter and fun.

The park is obviously flood prone though, in February it was 8ft under water after the Burdekin Dam flooded, it took me while to work out why the public telephone is one story up (see the picture).

We are leaving here tomorrow and I will be really sad to leave this place, all caravan parks are full of people that are happy and friendly but everyone at Groper Creek has been exceptionally welcoming.


Sunrise at Groper Creek


The telephone box and caravan park office


The view from our window

Mackay

Mackay - Sunday to Wednesday 27th May

Another 'comfort stop' with Lee-anne (Hutchy's sister) her husband Craig, and daughters Madeleine and Rebekah. They have just moved to Mirani, just west of Mackay. Beautiful spot with canefields and lovely mountain ranges all around. Once again it was nice to spend some time with family (and to shower, do the laundry and even watch TV). Hutchy had a full day in town getting the airbags on the car fixed again......



We left on Wednesday AM and on route decided to stop in at Airlie Beach. Pristine blue water and all I have to say is that I wish I was 20something again.













Coconut catchers

On the way to Mackay...

Roadhouse south of Mackay - Sunday 25th May















We caught up with our neighbour Bull and his big truck on the way back from a run to Bowen. We are learning the truckie lingo on the CB Radio too. "Southbound, Flash for Cash, just around the next bend"


Camila Beach - Saturday 24th May

We pulled up stumps at Camila Beach which is just south of Mackay and about 6kms of the highway to the free campspot, another gorgeous spot, but a little windy and the tide goes out about half a kilometre, it was low tide when we arrived and low tide when we left, high tide in the middle of the night which woke me up as it was so close to our van at full height I thought we were going to get washed away.

Heading North...

Yeppoon - 22nd to 24th May

We have just arrived in Yeppoon. This is the best spot for a caravan park ever! Right on the beach and a park nearby with a swing that has a 'seatbelt' for Jesse. We have been trying to track down one of these swings for a while now, as this seems to be Jesse's benchmark of a good place to hang out. Every time we leave a spot and tell him we are heading 'North' he asks if there will be swings there.

When we arrived at the park, the managers were not in attendance but left a whiteboard out the front of the office with the available site numbers, how many days they are available for, a map so you could see where they were, and the toilet keys for each site. So you pick a vacant site, rub it off the whiteboard and take the toilet keys or your site. What a brilliant idea! And we can see Great Keppell Island from our beds. And I am sitting outside the van, typing the blog with a glass of wine, the sun going down, the sounds and sights of the beach, John Butler playing out of the car stereo, and the smell of t-bone steaks cooking on the barbie, life doesn't get much better than this!

There is nothing better than waking up to the sound of the ocean just outside your window! We took a drive down to Emu Park which is just south of Yeppoon on the coast. We visited the Singing Ship (pictured) which is a memorial to Captain Cook, when it is windy the tubes vibrate and hum. Then we cruised into Rockhampton as we needed to do shopping and get the car looked at. While the car was at the mechanics (no-where land) we sat in a nearby park (no playground), until it got the better of us and we decided to look for a pub to have a beer (it was pretty hot). Only problem was whether it would be a white pub, well we found one, although all it had was a public bar and I was a bit sceptical about taking Jesse in so sent Hutchy in to have a look, I needn't have worried, there was a little girl sitting at the bar with her mum and grandparents (grandma was largered), and a cat roaming around as well. Anyway one beer was enough to pass the time and the car was ready.

We then went to visit Marshall (Meg Rac's brother) and his wife Gabbi and three kids, had a lovely dinner with them and a good chat.

We (reluctantly) packed up the next day, Saturday, and headed on up the road again. We had to make one last stop in Yeppoon before leaving though at the 'Great Australian Ice-Creamery' as they have the BEST bubblegum ice-cream, which is my favorite ever! (It tastes just like the bubblegum out of the machines when we were kids, but even better). I managed to talk Hutchy into it by telling him they had licorice flavour also (luckily they did), however Jesse didn't like his Mango one so ate all of Hutchy's licorice anyway. I escaped with my bubblegum ice-cream intact under the ruse of walking up to the Newsagents to get the paper.
I actually had a good reason for getting the paper that day. My good friend from Mooloolaba Ruth Frost 'Frosty' was featured in the Courier Mail weekend magazine. Frosty wrote a book 'Pavlova's to Popcorn' about her journey to America as a newly-wed 'war-bride'. She is an amazing lady. Check out her website at http://www.frostmedia.com.au/ruthfrost/

We decided to make a stop at the Capricorn Caves, just north of Rockhampton. We took the hour tour which was just amazing. The caves were discovered in the late 1800's by a man called 'Olsen' and some of the timber bridges and stairs that he built to get around the caves are still used today. In the biggest cave called 'Cathedral Cave' they actually hold weddings, it is absolutely stunning and has near perfect acoustics, the tour guide played a CD for us and it sounded just incredible.
Jesse has started calling everyone, males and females alike, 'that fella', we are definately in North Qld.