harrythomas
6th November 2014, 03:45 PM
Early October 2014 we packed our camper and loaded it onto our Patrol and headed off on our trip which we had been planning for a couple of months. I would like to thank Cuppa, P4trol, FNQGU and Apollofish for their tips during our planing stage.
Early next morning we lined up to board the ferry and cross the Daintree River after stopping overnight at Innisfail..
51249 51250
After a drive of about 17k from the ferry we booked into the Lync Haven Rainforest Retreat which has camp sites set in the rainforest.
51251
The owners Scott and Jodie make visitors feel very welcome and Scott usually does a crocodile feeding every day.
51252
We can also recommend their restaurant which has many excellent selections on the menu.
With there being plenty to see and do at Cape Tribulation we ended up spending six days camped at the Lync Haven Rainforest Retreat.
One of our favourite spots there was this secluded swimming Hole.
51253
And we also made time to see where the Rainforest meets the Reef.
51254
We were also lucky enough to have this visitor come to our camp site.
51255
Then it was off for the challenge of the Bloomfield Track. No sooner had we left the bitumen and it started to rain. Fortunately it did not last for long so our decision to push on was good.
51256
(some photos are a bit fuzzy as they are stills taken off a video)
First creek crossing, Emmagen Creek
51257
Then Tachalbadga Creek
51258
Some shots of the drive along the Bloomfield Track.
51259 51260
51261 51262
The dry Collins Creek
51263
the next three are over the Cowie Range
51265 51264 51266
and as always there is someone in a hell of a hurry
51267
then this? Maybe for the bloke in a hurry
51268
but more likely for this a new bridge across Woobadaa Creek (not a good shot but all we got)
51269 51270
then a tight squeeze out the other side
51272 51273 51271
We struck very little on coming traffic. Those we did strike gave us plenty of room.
51274
The old story, the tortoise and the hare.
51275
A power steering connection had come loose so after we lent him some tools he was on the road again.
Then came a bit of a disappointment.
51276 51277
The causeway across the Bloomfield River which many people spoke about and I was looking forward to crossing is now gone, replaced by a bridge.
While at Bloomfield we then took time out to visit to the Bloomfield Falls.
51278
We then headed off to the Lions Den Hotel. The road from Bloomfield is nearly all bitumen except for a couple of kilometres of gravel.
51279
After all we heard about the Lions Den it turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. Having to step through the cow pads at night, showers that left a lot to be desired and their add (still on their web site) which advertises meals seven days a week but when we went up on a Monday night for dinner we were bluntly told that the kitchen is closed on a Monday but we could have pizza. We passed on that. Who has ever heard of pizzas where you are charged extra for olives and alike! Fortunately we had plenty of supplies in the camper.
The Lions Den camping area is a cow paddock
51280
While camping at the Lions Den we took a drive out to Home Rule Rainforest Lodge for a visit.
51281
We were greeted at the entrance by the owner, Hal who invited my wife and I in for a cup of tea . We spent some time with him chatting about the Wallaby Creek Festival which is held there, his hydro electric scheme that supplies all his power and his time spent flying planes. The trip out was well worth our time and thanks Cuppa for the tip.
From the Lions Den we made the short trip to Cooktown.
51282
There we spent a couple of days doing the tourist bit.
Black Mountain
51283
Archer Point Lighthouse – We didn't use 4 wheel drive but it is steep.
51284 51285 51286
Keatings Lagoon
51288 51287
Finch Bay
51289
Grassy Hill Lighthouse and Endeavour River
51290 51291
Coloured Sands at Elim Beach
51292 51293
While at Cooktown we camped at the Cooktown Orchard Caravan Park which just happened to be behind The Italian Restaurant. For those who love fine Italian food this restaurant would have to be the best.
We made the short drive to Endeavour Falls Tourist Park, about 30k and set up camp for the night. A clean, green park with some wild looking cattle next door and a short walk to the Endeavour Falls.
51294 51296 51295
Next day we left civilisation and headed for the Hann Crossing Camp site in the Lakefield National Park. First crossing on the Battle Camp Road was the Normandy River.
51297
Then we crossed into the Lakefield National park.
51298
The next crossing was the Laura River.
51299
and arrived at the Old Laura Homestead.
51300 51301
51302 51303
Then turning into Lakefield Road we passed White Lily, Red Lily Lagoons and the Breeza Homestead.
51304 51305
51306 51307
The track into the Hann Crossing Camp Site was a bit rough but the Patrol handled it though the high clearance vehicle was definitely needed.
51309 51308
Didn't take long to set up camp and enjoy the peace and tranquillity with the view of the Hann River and surrounding termite hills.
51310 51312 51311
After a few days we packed up and headed across the Hann River and Saltwater Creek for Musgrave
51313 51314
51315 51316
We then turned onto the Peninsula Developmental Road for Lakeland where we camped overnight.
51317
Next day we left Lakeland and headed along the Mulligan Highway down the Great Dividing Range for home.
51318
For the trip we travelled over 2,800k.
Early next morning we lined up to board the ferry and cross the Daintree River after stopping overnight at Innisfail..
51249 51250
After a drive of about 17k from the ferry we booked into the Lync Haven Rainforest Retreat which has camp sites set in the rainforest.
51251
The owners Scott and Jodie make visitors feel very welcome and Scott usually does a crocodile feeding every day.
51252
We can also recommend their restaurant which has many excellent selections on the menu.
With there being plenty to see and do at Cape Tribulation we ended up spending six days camped at the Lync Haven Rainforest Retreat.
One of our favourite spots there was this secluded swimming Hole.
51253
And we also made time to see where the Rainforest meets the Reef.
51254
We were also lucky enough to have this visitor come to our camp site.
51255
Then it was off for the challenge of the Bloomfield Track. No sooner had we left the bitumen and it started to rain. Fortunately it did not last for long so our decision to push on was good.
51256
(some photos are a bit fuzzy as they are stills taken off a video)
First creek crossing, Emmagen Creek
51257
Then Tachalbadga Creek
51258
Some shots of the drive along the Bloomfield Track.
51259 51260
51261 51262
The dry Collins Creek
51263
the next three are over the Cowie Range
51265 51264 51266
and as always there is someone in a hell of a hurry
51267
then this? Maybe for the bloke in a hurry
51268
but more likely for this a new bridge across Woobadaa Creek (not a good shot but all we got)
51269 51270
then a tight squeeze out the other side
51272 51273 51271
We struck very little on coming traffic. Those we did strike gave us plenty of room.
51274
The old story, the tortoise and the hare.
51275
A power steering connection had come loose so after we lent him some tools he was on the road again.
Then came a bit of a disappointment.
51276 51277
The causeway across the Bloomfield River which many people spoke about and I was looking forward to crossing is now gone, replaced by a bridge.
While at Bloomfield we then took time out to visit to the Bloomfield Falls.
51278
We then headed off to the Lions Den Hotel. The road from Bloomfield is nearly all bitumen except for a couple of kilometres of gravel.
51279
After all we heard about the Lions Den it turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. Having to step through the cow pads at night, showers that left a lot to be desired and their add (still on their web site) which advertises meals seven days a week but when we went up on a Monday night for dinner we were bluntly told that the kitchen is closed on a Monday but we could have pizza. We passed on that. Who has ever heard of pizzas where you are charged extra for olives and alike! Fortunately we had plenty of supplies in the camper.
The Lions Den camping area is a cow paddock
51280
While camping at the Lions Den we took a drive out to Home Rule Rainforest Lodge for a visit.
51281
We were greeted at the entrance by the owner, Hal who invited my wife and I in for a cup of tea . We spent some time with him chatting about the Wallaby Creek Festival which is held there, his hydro electric scheme that supplies all his power and his time spent flying planes. The trip out was well worth our time and thanks Cuppa for the tip.
From the Lions Den we made the short trip to Cooktown.
51282
There we spent a couple of days doing the tourist bit.
Black Mountain
51283
Archer Point Lighthouse – We didn't use 4 wheel drive but it is steep.
51284 51285 51286
Keatings Lagoon
51288 51287
Finch Bay
51289
Grassy Hill Lighthouse and Endeavour River
51290 51291
Coloured Sands at Elim Beach
51292 51293
While at Cooktown we camped at the Cooktown Orchard Caravan Park which just happened to be behind The Italian Restaurant. For those who love fine Italian food this restaurant would have to be the best.
We made the short drive to Endeavour Falls Tourist Park, about 30k and set up camp for the night. A clean, green park with some wild looking cattle next door and a short walk to the Endeavour Falls.
51294 51296 51295
Next day we left civilisation and headed for the Hann Crossing Camp site in the Lakefield National Park. First crossing on the Battle Camp Road was the Normandy River.
51297
Then we crossed into the Lakefield National park.
51298
The next crossing was the Laura River.
51299
and arrived at the Old Laura Homestead.
51300 51301
51302 51303
Then turning into Lakefield Road we passed White Lily, Red Lily Lagoons and the Breeza Homestead.
51304 51305
51306 51307
The track into the Hann Crossing Camp Site was a bit rough but the Patrol handled it though the high clearance vehicle was definitely needed.
51309 51308
Didn't take long to set up camp and enjoy the peace and tranquillity with the view of the Hann River and surrounding termite hills.
51310 51312 51311
After a few days we packed up and headed across the Hann River and Saltwater Creek for Musgrave
51313 51314
51315 51316
We then turned onto the Peninsula Developmental Road for Lakeland where we camped overnight.
51317
Next day we left Lakeland and headed along the Mulligan Highway down the Great Dividing Range for home.
51318
For the trip we travelled over 2,800k.