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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.
