Day 60 Cooktown to Cape Tribulation

The big question today was whether to head home via the bitumen they way we came in, or...... go via the famed Bloomfield track along the coast and through the Daintree National Park (shorter in length, but longer in time). After talking to the local copper, the park ranger and the caravan park manager who all confirmed the weather was good and the track would be fine, we decided to go for broke and hit the Bloom field.

First stop, just a short way in to our trek was the renowned Lion's Den Hotel - so a must stop for a beer, even if it was only 10am.

A few creek crossings and a bit further along we came to Wujal Wujal, a small indigenous town and a beautiful waterfall out the back.

From there it was across the Bloomfield River ford and into some serious hills.

It wasn't long before I made an error in gear selection and stalled the car (and van I must remind all) half way up a steep hill. Put the discovery in low range 1st and sprayed dust and stones every where but made it up the hill. About 20 minutes later (still in low range)I missed a gear change and had to hit the brakesonce more poised delicately half way up the hill. With the hand brake barely holding the van from dragging us backwards, I revved up the car and gentley let the clutch out. With the children cheering, Penny with white knuckles holding onto the dash and me just praying,.....we noisily but slowly chugged to the top. I think bridget still thinks it was a Luna Park ride.

Well when we hit the bitumen again at Cape Tribulation we decided that although it was still early afternoon we were pitching camp at PK's Jungle Vilage. More of a back packers lodge, but hey I wasn't complaining (all the men would know what I mean).

In the afternoon we hit the beach, the fresh water swimming hole, and the nearby lookout

That night we shouted ourselves Barramundi and Calamari and a few drinks at PK's Bar which was fantastic.

Richard