North Queensland then West

This trip starts from home and does a near lap of Queensland. The furthest point is the Dig Tree, nearly to the South Australian border. Approximate duration, six months. Read more

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North Queensland then West Traveler
Rex Point Lookout
May 20, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
The last time here we were heading south and had very good views. Today there were rain showers that limited the view. It was good to get out and have a walk until the rain reached us. We continued our way towards Julatten.Read more
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Abattoir Swamp
May 21, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Another nice place to observe birds. Today there is more water than las time we were here. The paperbark trees are flowering so lots of little birds.

The swamp is now overgrown with reed and grasses so not a lot of exposed water.Read more
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Rifle Creek
May 21, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
We usually only see the camping area of Rifle Creek. This time we took a drive a few kilometres down for a look. There was a road off to the side that squeezed past a few trees and over some mud ruts. We were surprised by a small clearing that had obviously been the scene of quite a few camping expeditions.

The creek is quite deep and fairly wide so I expect there would be fish to catch. We took a couple of photos and just managed to get our lunch ready before the rain started. This time we ate in the car.Read more
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Feathers and Friends
May 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
This camp was on Pam's list for a long time. It looked doubtful if we would get to stay this time as there had been lots of rain. Joy! We had the camp open just before we would arrive. Five days in a lovely surround to chase birds and relax.

Is has rained a lot and the camp has been shut again. We are able to stay till tomorrow. This has been one of the nicest camps we have experienced.Read more
TravelerSounds lovely & it's so green!
5/29/21Reply
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Mt Lewis National Park Roadblock
May 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
We decided to explore the road to the Mount Lewis National Park. We only managed to drive a few kilometres along before we were stopped by a fallen tree.

Next time I think I will pack a chainsaw. Could have been worse. The tree could have fallen while we were in the park.Read more
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Rex Range Lookout #1
May 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
One of the vantage points to look down towards Mossman. The other lookout was not as good as this one.
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Murals in Mossman Park.
May 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Everywhere we go we find amazing murals in public space. These were on one of the toilet blocks.
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Mouth of Mossman River
May 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
We detoured to Newel beach and found the mouth of the Mossman River. It proved to be a good view with a few birds along the shore. Above us a couple of Brahminy kites soared.
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Start of the CREB track
May 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
The CREB track is one of the last frontiers of 4WD. It's very hard work and can take all day to go a few kilometres. Every serious 4WD enthusiast has this route on their bucket list. Vehicles are pepped to the tune of many thousands of dollars. Lift kits, long shockers, rough camping kit. It does not get much tougher than this.

The track starts about 10k from Daintree Village with a water crossing of the Daintree River. Trouble is right now the snorkels would go under. This means a serious no hold barred road closure. There are even threats of legal action if this is ignored.

The deep river is not the only hazard. With all the recent rain the track is boggy, slides abound and damage to kit and country are likely.

Its flooded, so for now they must forget it till the dry season. I think I would take a horse.

More info.
https://www.hemamaps.com/cape-york/tracks/creb-…Read more
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Palmer River Roadhouse
May 25, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
About halfway from Mareeba to Cooktown this Roadhouse proved to be a good place to stop for the night. Good sites and the option of dining in the Roadhouse. Amenities were very clean.
Kane BondYay, we have a little Avan too. how are you finding it?
6/2/21Reply
TravelerHi Kane, we have travelled in this Avan for about 5 years. It Suits us well, being easy and cheap to tow. Setting up solar panels was challenging but achieved. we never plug in to 240v power. 20l fridge in place of the original gas one. We get several months from a 4.5kg gas bottle.
6/2/21Reply
TravelerOur Avan has done many thousands of kilometres including a full lap and a half lap. Many other trips, some noted on FP. We used 9.7l/100k on out lap of Oz. that was about a 9 month trip.
6/2/21Reply
Kane Bondlove it. we are one month into our lap and the Avan has been fantastic
6/2/21Reply
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North Queensland then West Traveler
James Earl Lookout
May 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
From here there is a good view north towards Lakeland.
TravelerI hit the coast in about 2 weeks, heading to Port Douglas Ellis beach on the 19 th june
5/26/21Reply
TravelerWe are back near Townsville about the 10th.
5/26/21Reply
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Black Mountain
May 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Don't try to climb Black Mountain. This interesting feature is the stuff of legends. Space mining aliens. Magnetic interference. Banshees, just about anything you can imagine there is probably a story to link to this place. There are deep voids between the large slippery black rocks. Falling into these would be final and fatal.Read more
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Quarantine Bay
May 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Another nice beach near Cooktown.
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Walker Bay
May 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
This is a bit south of Quarantine Bay. Much longer in length and sandier. At the top of the beach is a massive heap od pebbles.
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Cooktown Botanical Gardens
May 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
A lot of work has been done here. Lots of interesting plants. A few are flowering but it is late in the season.
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Finch Bay
May 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Finch Bay can be accessed by walking track from the botanical gardens. We drove there but could not have walked as the walking tracks are closed for repair.
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Grassy Hill
May 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
This is a fantastic lookout and site of the lighthouse. We came here to watch the sun set as the moon rose. Alas, as the moon was hidden from view by the cloud bank we can't confirm this fact. .

Tonight is a perigee moon, blood moon, and lunar eclipse. Nature has provided clouds to hide it all from our view. The eclipse is at 09:30pm so hoping there is a hole in the cloud cover.

http://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/history/g…

More Cooktown area History and Culture.
http://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/history/Read more
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Lunar Tix
May 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Tonight the moon is the star. It's in a perigee of its orbit, full and being eclipsed by our planet. When it is fully eclipsed it should appear reddish in colour. Commonly this is termed a "blood" moon. This moon missed being a "harvest" or "blue" moon only by a couple of days. That would have been a once in a lifetime occurrence.

This afternoon was all cloud but miraculou was a sudden clear sky for the half eclipse. So far so good, people everywhere gazing skyward.

By 2/3 eclipsed the cloud had returned. Even when relatively clear view there was light cloud. Although very difficult to photograph, these pictures give a little idea of the sight.Read more
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North Queensland then West Traveler
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Cooktown Waterfront
May 27, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
A lot of work has been done here since the last time we visited. There is a huge area of public space for enjoying the area. Seating and barbecues for a nice relaxed day out.
Traveler looks different to 45 years ago when I was there last
5/27/21Reply
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Trevathan Falls
May 27, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
This was quite a challenge. First was the sketchy set of instructions to get nearly to the spot. We bailed on the last 150m of the road and walked. That was a very good decision sine the last bit was very rough and risky. Much safer to walk, less chance of damaging our vehicle. .

Then there was the path. Probably grade 3-4 with some climbing involved. Finally we were at the falls in a beautiful setting. This was definitely worth the effort. Thousands of litres of water falling to a crystal clear pool and pouring down through the boulders. It was difficult to get a photo. I carefully waded out to the middle and climbed up onto one of the rocks to get a good view.

Finally the return trip. We were just that bit more tired and returning a different path. I would not suggest this for the faint of heart or persons of limited fitness.Read more
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Archer Point Jetty Ruins.
May 27, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
There is little left of the old jetty. A pile of rocks and a few remaining posts. I could not see obvious roadway down apart from the upper cuttings. Perhaps over time the road was eroded away.
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Archer Point Lighthouse
May 27, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
When visiting Cooktown it is worth a visit to Archer Point. The drive up to the lighthouse is very steep and very windy when you get there. The views are really worth the drive.

It was very windy with 20-30 knot wind. Although not cold, the breeze takes the heat from your body and eventually you need a jacket.Read more
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Cooktown Sunset.
May 27, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
We decided to check out the sunset and were rewarded with a rich colourful finish to a great day.
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North Queensland then West Traveler
Elim Beach
May 28, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Elim Beach (pronounced eelum) is not a long way north of Cairns. The drive is about 70k via Hopevale, and now all but about 4k on bitumen. It is a nice area with interesting beaches and camping ground run by traditional owners.

Its worth taking time to walk along the beach and enjoying the scenery. Watch out for the crocs though. They are around and might bite. The other thing to be careful of is the soft sand. One wrong step and you are up to your knees.Read more
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North Queensland then West Traveler
The Tenatious Tree
May 29, 2021, Great Barrier Reef ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Life on the beach can be hard if you are a tree. A little shelter from a rock, fresh water from the dune and anything is possible. Bending with the prevailing breeze and growing despite the challenges.Read more
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