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6th November 2014, 02:45 PM
#1
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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..
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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.
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The owners Scott and Jodie make visitors feel very welcome and Scott usually does a crocodile feeding every day.
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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.
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And we also made time to see where the Rainforest meets the Reef.
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We were also lucky enough to have this visitor come to our camp site.
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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.
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(some photos are a bit fuzzy as they are stills taken off a video)
First creek crossing, Emmagen Creek
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Then Tachalbadga Creek
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Some shots of the drive along the Bloomfield Track.
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The dry Collins Creek
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the next three are over the Cowie Range
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and as always there is someone in a hell of a hurry
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then this? Maybe for the bloke in a hurry
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but more likely for this a new bridge across Woobadaa Creek (not a good shot but all we got)
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then a tight squeeze out the other side
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We struck very little on coming traffic. Those we did strike gave us plenty of room.
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The old story, the tortoise and the hare.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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While camping at the Lions Den we took a drive out to Home Rule Rainforest Lodge for a visit.
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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.
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There we spent a couple of days doing the tourist bit.
Black Mountain
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Archer Point Lighthouse – We didn't use 4 wheel drive but it is steep.
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Keatings Lagoon
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Finch Bay
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Grassy Hill Lighthouse and Endeavour River
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Coloured Sands at Elim Beach
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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.
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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.
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Then we crossed into the Lakefield National park.
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The next crossing was the Laura River.
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and arrived at the Old Laura Homestead.
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Then turning into Lakefield Road we passed White Lily, Red Lily Lagoons and the Breeza Homestead.
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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.
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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.
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After a few days we packed up and headed across the Hann River and Saltwater Creek for Musgrave
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We then turned onto the Peninsula Developmental Road for Lakeland where we camped overnight.
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Next day we left Lakeland and headed along the Mulligan Highway down the Great Dividing Range for home.
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For the trip we travelled over 2,800k.
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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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6th November 2014 02:45 PM
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6th November 2014, 03:27 PM
#2
Patrol God
Very interesting thanks for sharing
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6th November 2014, 03:38 PM
#3
Hardcore
Great photos harrythomas, glad you all had a good time. Wish I was up there again myself.
Cheers
Jack
2012 Simpson 50th Anniversary Edition.
WARNING: Towballs used for recoveries can, and do kill people and damage property.
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6th November 2014, 04:01 PM
#4
..........
Great photos and trip report, thanks for sharing.
Makes me really want to get away again.
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6th November 2014, 06:23 PM
#5
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6th November 2014, 06:32 PM
#6
SUCH IS LIFE
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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WARNING: Towballs used for recoveries can, and do kill people and damage property.
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6th November 2014, 06:46 PM
#7
Travelling Podologist
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)
A Nomadic Life (Blog)
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6th November 2014, 08:27 PM
#8
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Originally Posted by
Nisshead
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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The Following User Says Thank You to harrythomas For This Useful Post:
Maxhead (6th November 2014)
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6th November 2014, 08:34 PM
#9
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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7th November 2014, 08:33 PM
#10
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Originally Posted by
Cuppa
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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