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Published: June 16th 2019
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Forecast!!!! Cloudy, winds from 10k to 100k and the possibility of some showers. Oh No! But, Yes, for the 11days I spent with Warwick driving from Cairns to Cooktown and back, this was the daily outlook.
As with all forecasters they did get most of it right but quite a bit was wrong. We didn't really get any rain apart from a couple of showers that didn't affect our plans. We did see quite a bit of sunlight, but nowhere near enough to satisfy our wants. We did get wind, some gentle, some strong enough to dull the mood. While in Cooktown we had some gusts strong enough to necessitate adopting the 45degree walking style. Did we enjoy ourselves? Oh Yes!!. I loved the whole time. For me, seeing this part of Australia for the first time, the area that I have always been told I would love, proved right. The greatest thing again is the fact that I only had to wear shorts and short sleeved shirts. Along with sandals this is the mode of dress I enjoy best when temperatures are in the low to high 20s. And they were.
Our first 4 nights were spent just
Warwick and I.
Waiting for the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. a scenic trip over and through the rain forest. up the coast from Cairns at Vue Apartments, Trinity Beach. We had a beautiful large 2 bedroom apartment looking out across the beautiful pool and the beach. A great location. While not a huge town, there are plenty of restaurants/cafes and then there is plenty to do in the greater area between Cairns and Trinity Beach. Warwick and I walked a lot, spent a whole day in Cairns, much of it on the water front, which is as interesting as all waterfronts are. A day doing the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, and strolling/exploring through the village of Kuranda at the end of the cableway. Of course there is quite a lot of time taken up in drinking coffee, talking, watching the world go by, eating and more coffee while watching the other tourists go by. All exciting stuff for a couple of old fella's who don't want to be running here and there to see every tourist site. And evenings, of course, a few red wines and either a meal at a restaurant or a meal prepared on the b'que at our apartment. Then an evening walk.
We set off for Cooktown after picking up Warwicks Campervan in Cairns. I
A Tree Hugger.
Lots of walkways in the rainforest. was impressed with this, a big Mercedes 4 berth wagon that will be his home until the end of June. We had agreed before we set out that I would hire a cabin at the camp grounds we were to stay at, so that Warwick would be able to sleep at night, rather than listen the to dulcet tones of my snoring. On our way at last, after attending to the paper work for the van, we then popped into Palm Cove for a coffee break. We had visited here the day before and found that there was a big market on. Lots happening. A great beach with a jetty and lots of activity. Larger than Trinity Beach and a bit more to do there.
Once away again we settled into the drive of 300 odd ks to Cooktown. I had thought that we would be close to the coast most of the way but apparently you can only get through a lot of those roads using a 4 wheel drive. So the main drive, The Mulligan Highway, is quite a bit inland but we whizzed along, looking at the sights fly by, and although the drive took longer
The Closest I Got.
Didn't see any live ones despite numerous warning signs. I certainly felt a need to be aware. than we anticipated we reached Cooktown just after dark. We were staying at the Cooktown Orchid Travellers Park, so I settled into my cabin, which turned out to be a comfortable caravan, and Warwick set up his van and after every thing was done we strolled across to the Pub for a couple of beers and a couple of red wines with our meal. A nice evening in a very busy pub, so heaps to watch. The next few days we walked to head lands and beaches and race tracks and the James Cook Museum and generally took the whole town in learning about it's extensive history. Dinner cooked in camp one night and another pub the night after. An interesting town named after Captain Cook who came into the area after getting stuck on the Great Barrier Reef during his voyage of discovery. He had to find an area were he could make repairs to his ship, the Endeavour. Gold was discovered and the town boomed as thousands of miners arrived. My main discription for Cooktown would be "Rustic". I would have used this word quite a few times as we discovered things. Lots of history. Unfortunately we did
Ah, Yes!
An evening wine in a magic setting. strike it when it was very very windy and grey so we didn't see it in it's best light.
So on the road again, returning south, our next stop Port Douglas. I have probably been told about Port Douglas for as long as I can remember so I was looking forward to arriving and staying there. Exploring a place that people have enjoyed, and told you about, is always exciting so once in camp and settled into the Pandanus Tourist Park, we walked into the town and I can certainly see why people enjoy this town and surrounds. A great Marina and so many Cafes and restaurants your spoilt for choice. One day we walked right around from the Marina to the beach, and even though this is where we did meet some of the forecast rain, it is a lovely walk with some great views. This is a nice place with heaps to do and lots to see. One of the things this whole coast is famous for of course is the Great Barrier Reef and although it was something that we planned to visit, due to the weather, mainly wind speed, it was a no go. So
Moe Food and Coffee.
A beautiful almond croissant in a famous Cairns market. Lots of product, lots of people. a reason to return?? Perhaps.
One more night in Cairns and then after a hearty breakfast to sustain ourselves for our travels, me back to NZ, and Warwick a drive south to Mission Beach. I flew out of Cairns down to Brisbane and then caught the evening plane from there back to Wellington arriving at 12.10am. Home to the cold.
I enjoyed these days traveling along in a comfortable camper van, exploring new places, talking to interesting people, eating good food and enjoying the odd glass of red wine while Warwick and I would discuss many subjects and many issues. Such great company and so many laughs. So nice.
Pip/Rod
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