Cooktown Day 2

A rain shower woke us up so we were a little slow on moving.

Eventually, I went for a cycle around the town to refresh my memory from last year. The first thing was the wind. It is almost relentless here. Not good for an easy cycle ride. Anyway, I had a good look around.

Prue did her exercise in the afternoon, walking to and from the swimming pool spending about an hour swimming.

For the benefit of 'Lady' Di, we went to Jackey Jackey's coffee shop and had a lovely cappuccino. I visited this place last year and it has improved markedly since then.

After our coffees, we then drove up the very steep road to the Grassy Hill Lookout.
The wind was very strong up there. We did go up again near sunset, along with many other travellers. It was even more windy than earlier in the day and made it feel cool although it was not.

So a relatively easy day.

Lions Den to Cooktown Day 1

Another morning that we were awoken to the sound of light rain on the roof of the Karavan. It was only showers again and not too heavy.

We packed up very quickly as we were still hooked up to the Mazda. Before we left we said farewell to Rob and Joy that we had dinner with last night.

Once on the about four kilometres before we joined the Mulligan Highway. As we joined it, stopped on a bit of a lay by on the road to replace the air in the tyres on the Mazda. It took only a few minutes and helpers on the road yesterday, Brian and Caroline, paused to ensure that we were not in trouble again.

In no time at all, we entered the town of Cooktown. It only seemed a short time ago that i was here before but it was just a few days over 12 months. We drove down to the Fisherman's Wharf as I remembered the coffee was not too bad at the 1770 Restaurant there. So we had cappuccinos and toast. We took in the sights of the variety of yachts and boats in the Endeavour River.

After leaving the Wharf area we drove a short distance and parked. We walked back to the small town markets. We bought some prawns to have for lunch and they were delicious to eat.

Then it was into the Big 4 Caravan Park, again this was a location I had stayed in before. Anyway, it was an easy and quick check in and guided to the appropriate site. Again it did not take long to set up.

Our next destination was the IGA super market which is not far from the park. A quick load up of some items and we returned to the Caravan Park. Mostly for a relaxing afternoon especially fro me. Prue walked about a kilometre each way to the swimming pool and did laps. I read my Kindle and my current book.

Late afternoon and early evening, we watched the New Zealand All Black Rugby team beat the Wallabies. I had hoped that the Wallabies may have done a lot better but that was not to be. Next week they play the South African Springboks but that is in the early hours of next Sunday morning.

So ended another day on our trip and our first day in Cooktown

Port Douglas to Lions Den Hotel via the Bloomfield Track

Today was a move day. We were packed up quite early and were ready to get on the road by 0745. As we moved in the Caravan Park, we said farewell to Garry and Sandie. They had been beside us in Cairns and for some days in Port Douglas. They were from Melbourne.

Once on the road we decided to have a coffee in Mossman. We found this really nice café on the inland side of the main street and close to the Caravan parking area on the northern side of town. It was good cappuccinos and the jam we had on our toast was the nicest we have probably ever had. It was made from pineapple and pear. It was made only using the fruit’s own sugars. We spoke to the owner and his wife. They were a very nice couple and very friendly.

Then we moved on to the Daintree ferry. The cost to go over on it was $16.50 for our combined unit of Mazda and Karavan. It took only a few minutes to get a cross. 

Our next stop was the Daintree Discovery Centre. This is a rainforest interpretive centre. It gives a wonderful insight to one of Australia’s last remaining pockets of low land rainforest. There is a canopy tower that reaches from the forest floor to above the top of many trees. At numerous levels there are wonderful descriptions of what may be found at that level. Prue used a digital piece that at a specific number would tell the story of that location at the press of a button. There were numerous groups, including a large number of girls from Loreto Normanhurst in Sydney, there making it very busy. It was showering on and off the whole time although quite a lot is under cover.

We moved on again with our next stop being at the Daintree Icecream Company. We sample four flavours and Prue had a Mango sorbet. It was very nice and refreshing. Again, there were large numbers of people passing through the business. Their gardens and surrounds were very colourful.

Our next stop was at Cape Tribulation. We walked onto the beach and stretched our legs a little. We spoke to a few travellers that had come down the Bloomfield Track. They told us it was fine.

Several kilometres after Cape Tribulation, we started on the gravel road, the Bloomfield Track. We progressed really well, climbing up and down some steep slopes and through some creeks of varying depth and roughness. Along the way, we stopped and had some lunch.

After lunch, we moved on. All during the middle of the day we encountered rain showers of varying intensity. Some were quite heavy. 

Our travels suddenly were disrupted. There was quite heavy rain falling and we started to climb up a slope. Our momentum was reduced due to an inconsiderate driver coming towards us taking up most of the road. As I had been increasing speed to go up the slopes, I now almost stopped and slid to the side.

On attempting to restart, I could not get traction to get moving, even in four wheel drive. It was quite steep and the surface was very slippery clay with odd stone particles. I even slipped when I hopped out to assess the situation. Eventually, the local Police just appeared and they had a similar vehicle and tyres but set up a warning area either side. I had reduced the air pressure in the tyres to around 200 kpa but to not advantage.

 Shortly after, a nice couple from Tamworth, Brian and Caroline, attached a tow strap and pulled me up the remaining 20 metres to flat ground. We were very grateful. The rest of the trip for the day was very uneventful.

We finished our drive for the day at the famous Lion’s Den Hotel. It is very old and unique. We took a powered site on nice grass. By dark the area was brimming with like minded travellers. It showered very often while we were there.

Before dinner, we had several drinks and I shouted drinks for Brian and Caroline for their effort in getting us out of a ‘sticky’ situation a bit earlier in the day. They had their dinner organised back at their four wheel drive.

Our dinner was really nice. Prue had baked barramundi and I had a lovely steak. We were joined for dinner by Rob and Joy from near Adelaide. Rob is a Life Member of APEX and so we had another thing in common.

So ended an eventful day that we really had not expected to have. The moral to the story is not to use road tyres in possibly wet and slippery conditions.

The following photos are inside the Lion's Den Hotel.

Port Douglas Last Day

This morning we awoke to the sound of rain on the Karavan. As it turned out there was about 10 mm of rain in total.

Prue walked off in the showers, with an umbrella, to go for her swim. She was away for about 1 1/2 hours all up. Eventually, she returned to the Caravan Park.

As it was damp, I decided that I would give my legs a reprieve from cycling for a few days. This was a good time for me to defrost and remove the ice build up in the Karavan fridge. It is a while since it was done. We may only need to do it once more before we get home. It is not an onerous job and if approached properly can be completed fairly quickly. Also, by being quick the frozen food did not even melt. I did a few other jobs around the Karavan and included vacuuming the Mazda cabin, ridding it of some sand build up.

Once that was all done, it was into town for a late cappuccino and some toast. This also sufficed for me for lunch. We did have some berries and yoghurt later in the day. While in town we picked up another fitted sheet as one we have is not fitting so well on the mattress set up we have these days. Prue gave it a wash and dried the other fitted sheet as well.

Later in the afternoon, we returned to town. Prue had a massage booked originally for at the Karavan but due to the weather it was changed to an upmarket, $800.00 per night in peak season, apartment. She said it was good.

While Prue was being pampered, I had a haircut in town. Then after that I went out to the highway to refuel at the Shell Fuel station. It was busy so I had to wait awhile to get to the diesel bowser. I worked out that the Mazda is doing 11.9 litres per 100 km from Cairns to here. Half of the driven distance may have been without the Karavan in tow.

Then I returned to town and picked Prue up and we returned to the Caravan Park. So this evening has been putting unnecessary items away in preparation for our departure from a wonderful town. Port Douglas is a definite 'must return to' destination either withe Karavan again or even by flying into Cairns ad driving to Port Douglas.

Our plan tomorrow is to go to the Lions Den at Helenvale by way of the Bloomfield Track. This will take us over the Daintree Ferry then onto Cape Tribulation before then making our way up to Helenvale. We may not have either Internet connection or mobile phone coverage until we get to Cooktown on Saturday. It is not far, about 150 kms but make take about 5 hours to drive plus extra time to stop and see various locations.

Port Douglas Day 5

We awoke to a slightly damp morning but really a little amount overnight, 2.6 mm. So the area was only just damp.

Prue fired up the washing machine early to do the sheets then another lot later in the morning. After she had the first lot done she set off for her walk to and from the pool. She again did her swim.

While Prue was getting the washing going, I set off to complete my ride around the town and through the various resorts and on the numerous walk/cycle tracks that ended on the beach in different locations. It is amazing how far one rides doing the streets. Over the past 2 days I have ridden over 60 kilometres on the streets. The homes and buildings are varied from elaborate villas hidden behind gated walls to suburban homes that could be found anywhere. The difference that is evident with all these buildings is that they are designed to take advantage of the climate and especially the prevailing winds and breezes.

Finally, we were both back at the Caravan Park and the last lot of washing on the line. Then we went down to adjacent to the Mirage Marina to have some lunch at Soul 'n' Pepper Bar and Bistro. The food and cappuccinos were good. It is located close to the town centre.

 We also walked over to the St. Marys Church with its wonderful view over the water.

 

 

After lunch and a few little jobs in town, we then did a drive in the Mazda through the resort areas and some of the residential areas. One area we did notice up to 11 homes for sale. They were mostly at the western end of the town and fairly close to the Captain Cook Highway. There are others scattered around the town. Some apartments in the CBD are for sale for about $150000.00. To some they would be ideal for a winter get away location. While at one of the Golf Courses a land and home package can be bought for about $835000.00. It would be a great location for a larger home.

As  we returned home, we visited the IGA supermarket and bought some lovely pork that we had for dinner.

Port Douglas Day 4

No photos today.

Another great morning, although windy for cycling.

Prue went off for a 2 km walk to the pool and swam about 1 kilometre. She then walked home another 2 kms. She is getting a bit of exercise now.

Again this morning, I headed off on my bike for a ride within the town limits. I covered most of the streets from the Captain Cook Highway to about half way into town. I just kept my heart rate up and was not after distance. I did an hour and a half.

Later in the morning, we spoke with a couple, Tony and Karen, nearby and discovered that they came from Albury in southern NSW. Tony has a similar rural background to me. No doubt we will chat some more.

Then it was into town for late morning tea and of course our cappuccinos. We tried a different cafe on the corner of the main street. I think we would have to be here for about a month to try them all.

Afterwards, we went a short walk to Coles and did some grocery shopping. It is a regular occurrence due to the fact we do not have a large area to store large quantities of groceries. We do not need to have too much on board as we are in town.

It was then back to the Karavan for a late lunch. The afternoon was taken up relaxing. Early evening was chatting again to another lot of neighbours from Melbourne. We have been chatting often to them, Gary and Sandie. Most people are friendly and we all share information.

So another day has passed by. We are about half way through our trip now. This will depend on a few variables should they arise.

Port Douglas Day 3

Another beautiful morning. These are not hard to take especially when, after speaking with my cycling friend Jack, we know it has been quite cool in the mornings at home. So easy to hop out of the Karavan and not have to rug up at all.

Again this morning, Prue walked down the 2 kilometres to the lap pool. She did a kilometre and then walked back to the Caravan Park.

My exercise was again a bike ride of almost 2 hours. This morning I rode south along the Captain Cook Highway to a locality named Oak Beach. The road is quite reasonable to ride on as the edges are generally wide enough without getting too close to passing traffic. I returned mostly the same way except I turned off the highway and did a diversion that took me around past the Big 4 Caravan Park. It is full to overflowing with caravans, camper vans and motor homes parked on grass with apparently no power or water. The Caravan Park we are in is full with the same but has no overflow area, however the cabins are not full up. Anyway, I then returned to the Highway for a short stint before returning to the Port Douglas CBD for a circuit then into the Caravan Park.

Later in the morning, we went for a drive into the town area  specifically into the Marina Mirage. We had a wander through the Shopping part and were amazed at the number of empty shops.


We spoke to a shop owner who has been there for a long time and he told us that some of the problem is the change in the demographics of the residents compared to the days of the high times in Port Douglas. He also told us that the rents for the shops are still reflecting those days along with the introduction to the town of chain stores such as Rivers and Target along with many others. In its heyday, the Marina had very upmarket shops like Louis Vuitton. The current visiting population are not buyers of the upmarket products and also the big spenders have gone to other resort areas across the world. How times change!

Our morning cappuccinos and scones sufficed for lunch today as we were quite late. Anyway it was nice partaking of our morning coffee while taking in the sights of a lot of beautiful yachts and cruisers along with many fishing charter boats. Our walk took us along the Marina to savor the sights and smells even more. While doing this we had a lovely chat with a couple from Hobart. They have traveled from down there with a motor home. While we chatted we all shared interesting locations to visit.

After our time at the Marina, we drove up Flagstaff Hill to the Four Mile Beach Lookout. It does lookout over the lovely beach and to the mountains to the west of the town. Quite a lot of people up there doing the same as we were.

Then we descended the hill and I showed Prue where Rocky and Susanne were married several years ago. There was a small area of green grass visible that is obviously watered. The rest of the grass is suffering from lack of water as it appears to be quite dry at present in this general area.

After our trip into the town area, we returned to the Caravan Park for a relaxing afternoon either reading or snoozing. We probably needed to have that rest.