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Thread: Our Cape Tribulation, Bloomfield to Lakefield National Park Trip

  1. #1
    Advanced harrythomas's Avatar
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    Our Cape Tribulation, Bloomfield to Lakefield National Park Trip

    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..
    1_Waiting_for_Daintree_Ferry.JPG 2_Daintree_Ferry.JPG

    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.
    3_3_Lync_Haven_Camp.JPG

    The owners Scott and Jodie make visitors feel very welcome and Scott usually does a crocodile feeding every day.
    4_Doris.JPG

    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.
    8_Favourate_Swimming_Hole.JPG

    And we also made time to see where the Rainforest meets the Reef.
    10_Rainforest_Meets_Reef.JPG

    We were also lucky enough to have this visitor come to our camp site.
    12_Close_Encounter.JPG

    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.
    Rain.JPG

    (some photos are a bit fuzzy as they are stills taken off a video)

    First creek crossing, Emmagen Creek
    13_Emmagen_Ck_Bloomfield_Track.JPG

    Then Tachalbadga Creek
    1028.JPG

    Some shots of the drive along the Bloomfield Track.
    1041.JPG 1044.JPG
    1054.JPG 1116.JPG

    The dry Collins Creek
    1052.JPG

    the next three are over the Cowie Range
    1103b.JPG 1103a.JPG 1110.JPG

    and as always there is someone in a hell of a hurry
    1113.JPG

    then this? Maybe for the bloke in a hurry
    1124.JPG

    but more likely for this a new bridge across Woobadaa Creek (not a good shot but all we got)
    1129.JPG 1130.JPG

    then a tight squeeze out the other side
    1138a.JPG 1138b.JPG 1140.JPG

    We struck very little on coming traffic. Those we did strike gave us plenty of room.
    1155.JPG

    The old story, the tortoise and the hare.
    1243.JPG

    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.
    15_15_Bloomfield_Crossing.JPG 15_Old&New_Bloomfield_Crossing.JPG

    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.
    14_Bloomfield_Falls.JPG

    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.
    16_Lions_Den_Hotel.JPG

    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
    16_16_Lions_Den_Camp.JPG

    While camping at the Lions Den we took a drive out to Home Rule Rainforest Lodge for a visit.
    Home_Rule.JPG

    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.
    21_Cooktown.JPG

    There we spent a couple of days doing the tourist bit.

    Black Mountain
    17_Black_Mountain.JPG

    Archer Point Lighthouse – We didn't use 4 wheel drive but it is steep.
    18_Archer_Point_Lighthouse.JPG 19_Archer_Point_Lighthouse.JPG 20_Going_Down_from_ArcherPoint.JPG

    Keatings Lagoon
    26_Keatings_Lagoon.JPG 25_Geese_at_KeatingsLagon.JPG

    Finch Bay
    27_Finch_Bay.JPG

    Grassy Hill Lighthouse and Endeavour River
    28_Grassy_Hill_Lighthouse.JPG 30_Endeavor_River_from_Grassyhill.JPG

    Coloured Sands at Elim Beach
    32_Coloured_Sands_at_ElimBeach.JPG 33_Coloured_Sands_at_ElimBeach.JPG

    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.
    35_Endeavour_Falls_Park.JPG 38_Texas_Longhorns_at_Endeavour_Falls.JPG 37_Endeavour_Falls.JPG

    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.
    41_Crossing_the _Normandy_on_Battle_Camp_Road.JPG

    Then we crossed into the Lakefield National park.
    42_Entering_Lakefield_National_Park.JPG

    The next crossing was the Laura River.
    43_Crossing_Laura_River.JPG

    and arrived at the Old Laura Homestead.
    44_Old_Laura_Homestead.JPG 45_Old_Laura_Homestead.JPG
    46_Old_Laura_Homestead.JPG 47_Old_Laura_Homestead.JPG

    Then turning into Lakefield Road we passed White Lily, Red Lily Lagoons and the Breeza Homestead.
    50_Ducks_on_White_Lily_Lagoon.JPG 60_Red_Lily_Lagoon.JPG
    62_Breeza_Homestead.JPG 63_Breeza_Homestead.JPG

    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.
    52_Track_to_Hann_Camp.JPG 51_Track_to_Hann_Camp.JPG

    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.
    53_Hann_Crossing_Camp.JPG 55_Hann_River.JPG 54_View_from_Hann_Camp.JPG

    After a few days we packed up and headed across the Hann River and Saltwater Creek for Musgrave
    59_Crossing_the_Hann.JPG 65_Saltwater_Creek.JPG
    66_Musgrave.JPG 67_Musgrave_Roadhouse.JPG

    We then turned onto the Peninsula Developmental Road for Lakeland where we camped overnight.
    68_Lakeland_Camp.JPG

    Next day we left Lakeland and headed along the Mulligan Highway down the Great Dividing Range for home.
    69_Down_the_Great_Dividing_Range_Mulligan_Hwy.JPG

    For the trip we travelled over 2,800k.

  2. The Following 13 Users Say Thank You to harrythomas For This Useful Post:

    2TROLLFAM (6th November 2014), 4bye4 (6th November 2014), Bob (6th November 2014), Cuppa (6th November 2014), DX grunt (6th November 2014), GUtsy ute (6th November 2014), jack (6th November 2014), P4trol (6th November 2014), pearcey (6th November 2014), phtest (9th November 2014), Sir Roofy (6th November 2014), the evil twin (6th November 2014), TPC (6th November 2014)

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    Patrol God Sir Roofy's Avatar
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    Very interesting thanks for sharing

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    Hardcore jack's Avatar
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    Great photos harrythomas, glad you all had a good time. Wish I was up there again myself.
    Cheers
    Jack

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    Great photos and trip report, thanks for sharing.
    Makes me really want to get away again.

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    We love pics thanks!

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    SUCH IS LIFE Maxhead's Avatar
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    We stayed at Lync Haven when we were up there, have to agree the restaurant did a mean feast!
    Do they still do a movie night for the kids??

    Looks like you met Doris the crock as well...LOL
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    Travelling Podologist Cuppa's Avatar
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    Great stuff harrythomas, I wish others were always so thorough with their feedback. I’m looking forward to one day getting further north than Elim Beach. Glad you had a top time.

    2006 4.2TDi ex-Telstra Remote area Camper. 425w roof mounted solar, 360Ah Aux batts, BCDC1240, Onboard hot & cold pressurised & filtered water, (25 litre hot water calorifier), ARB fridge, ARB freezer, Built in kitchen, heaps of easy access storage, 240v, 3” Genie exhaust + dynotune, 2” lift, 3900kg GVM upgrade, second glovebox, ROH Blaktrak steel wheels, Bridgestone D697's (now Toyo RT's), Redarc gauges/pillarpod, Hema HX-1, Icom 450 CB, dual rear view cameras, Onboard 30amp Victron mains charger, second glovebox, dual seat conversion, TPMS, Boss PX7 onboard air with 9 litre tank, 350w inverter, Steel bullbar, Harrop Eaton diff lock (front), Warn winch, Snorkel, Dual spares , 160 litre water tank, 180 litre fuel in two tanks (approx 1200km range) 2010 Tvan Tanami. (incl another 70 litre water tank) with matching wheels/tyres (& 3rd spare)
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    Advanced harrythomas's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nisshead View Post
    We stayed at Lync Haven when we were up there, have to agree the restaurant did a mean feast!
    Do they still do a movie night for the kids??

    Looks like you met Doris the crock as well...LOL
    They didn't mention the movie hight while we were there but it was the start of the off season with very few visitors. Maybe they still run it when it is busy.

    Scott put on a great show with Doris and he is very good at it. Wouldn't catch me in there with her.

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    Great photos mate, brought back some great memories
    2 things we didn`t see in the wild were a croc or a Cassowary, and we have been up there twice.
    Loved the shot of the long horn
    Thanks
    Beers and Cheers Pearcey

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cuppa View Post
    Great stuff harrythomas, I wish others were always so thorough with their feedback. I’m looking forward to one day getting further north than Elim Beach. Glad you had a top time.
    I am sure that one day you will go further north than Elim Beach Cuppa. It is in our blood! Please let me know when you do as I would like to meet up with you.

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