Well I knew there would be some hairy moments on this trip but I’m not sure that it’s such a good idea to throw two of them up in two days. We were driving along and noticed smoke ahead. I assumed that it was just another cane field burn off which would have made perfect sense if we were still in cane field district. As we got closer the kids got a bit excited because where there's smoke there's ...... animals running wildly. As we passed oncoming traffic no one seemed too bothered, no flashing lights to indicate trouble ahead. Then around the corner we came and realised that we might be in a spot of bother. There was one lonesome policewoman on the road looking into the smoke. We pulled up and assessed our chances of turning out 16ft van around on a two lane road. A lady pulled up coming towards us and she told me that nobody is stopping the cars at the other end and she had driven through. She was really shaken. The wind was blowing hard and knowing how quickly wind can change Chris and I made the decision to turn and not burn! Brilliant manoeuvring by Chris had us heading 30km back to the nearest town. After lunch we decided to push on and easily passed the area where we had turned around earlier. What we didn’t realise was up ahead there was still a lot of smoke and flames. We successfully pushed through. As we get to more remote area it appears that the dangers become more apparent. I just hope that the fire killed a few of the cows who will apparently push your car over if you stop to look at them! Tough country this!
The Lion’s Den is apparently an essential stop for all travellers to the far north. Being the conformists that we are we stopped in. Indeed it was unique. A place to stop and recount the tails of the Bloomfield track to the south or the development road to the north. We asked a few of the fellas if they thought we might be able to get the van through the Bloomfield thus reducing our drive back to Cairns by about 200km, “No worries mate! There’d be a couple of interesting bits but you’d have no problems pulling it with the Patrol mate aye” (everyone ends a sentence with “aye”.) Being the sensible, inexperienced 4wdrivers that we are we decided to try it first without the van on, thank God for common sense. We certainly could have taken the van through but my nerves would have been shot. Finally we made it down to Cape Tribulation. I guess to sum it up I’ll quote Tamsyn, “well it’s kind of just like the Prom but a bit warmer and the prom doesn’t have snap snaps.” “Yep I like the Prom better” chimed Ry. We settled for a play at Noah’s beach before I tried my skills and drove us back out the Bloomfield, quite an achievement!
Cooktown proved to be a beautiful little town with lots of artwork and interesting history. We went in search of the mighty Cooktown Croc but seemed to miss him by an hour or so every day. Who would have thought a 7mt lizard could be so good at hide and seek. Cooktown is in an incredibly windy place and the wind was relentless the entire time we were there. On one trip out to the lighthouse my three boys decided to test if the wind was strong enough to blow your pee back onto your feet if you weed into the wind. What can I say, they’re a classy lot! Let’s just say that it ended with lots of laughs and a new game called how far can your spit with the wind at your back. Ten metres won it in case you were wondering.
Having already driven the Bloomfield track we opted to retreat to the Daintree River via the main rd. We settled in the lovely little town of Newell Beach just north of the Mossman Gorge. What can I say we were back amongst our favourite people, the Grey Nomads. Happy hour was alive and well again. The Daintree Rainforest was lovely but having listened to all the hype I have to say it was a little overrated. Don’t get me wrong it is beautiful but driving through the Dandenong’s on a misty day tops it hands down. The best part of the Daintree was the two river cruises we did where we saw crocs, snakes, birds, lizards and much more. As you step on the boat you’re asked to keep all body parts well within the confines of the boat. As we got cruising Ry began to relax (he had been terrified when we got on) and instinctively lent on the side rail exposing a good part of his elbow and forearm to the water’s edge. The cruise operator stopped the boat as we all stared awestruck at a crocodile. AS we all snapped away with the cameras the driver snuck up behind Ry and tapped his elbow with a dead crocodiles head. Ry almost pooped himself and jumped into Chris’ arms. He soon saw the funny side along with every other person on the boat. Lesson learnt!
Well that’s the end of our northern journey through Queensland.
We’ll now spend a week in Cairns catching up with some of our Upper Beacian friends.
Take care Aye,
We’ll talk soon Aye
Lots of love to you all Aye
Love Kristy....... Aye.
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