Day 173 - Monday 19 June - Bit breezy

Day 173

Monday

19 June 2017

Cooktown

We both woke early to the sound of screaming kids, however it didn’t bother us too greatly and we happily read our books for an hour before making the decision to get up and organised.

After having breakfast, we took off for the Grassy Hill Lookout to check out the views on offer. We parked at the car park just below the finally hill and trekked up the asphalt to the lighthouse and then onto the spiral path of the lookout. 

  From the lookout you have a 360 degree view of the area. It is pretty spectacular. You can see the Coral Sea, Mount Cook, Endeavour River and the mountain range that stretches beyond. While here we had to hang on with all we had, as the wind was howling. I had trouble holding the camera still long enough to take a photo of the view.

Cherry Tree Bay at the bottom and Finch Bay further up.

 

There was also a positional marker set in the floor pointing to Mount Cook and the township of Laura, so we both stood at different spots of the lookout so that the marker was pointing in our direction.

There is plenty of Captain Cook history here in Cooktown and at the lookout there were more info boards outlining the significance of the hill, as it was one Cook climbed to orientate himself and determine a route out to the Coral Sea via the river.

The Endeavour River

Mount Cook

 

Once we had our fill of the views, we returned to the caravan park for a shower and to pack our things and head on to Bloomfield Falls and 60km away. We had to back track over the Mulligan Hwy and through the Black Mountain NP once again before turning off in the direction of Helenvale and passing through Rossvile. We entered the wet tropics again, everything so lush and green. The drive in was quite windy and up and down and some serious dips.

We continued to follow the road through the Ayton township and then Bloomfield before passing by the aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal and on to the falls.

We parked up and then went trekking through the bush before entering the clearing and spying the falls. I clambered over the rocks looking for a good vantage point while Paul checked the water and decided to return for his rod.  

I entertained myself, taking photos but ever weary of the possibility of crocs that are known to move through these waters. I didn’t see any though. I returned to Paul, who continued to cast until his lure got snagged and he lost it to the trees.

We then returned to the car and drove back to the Wujal Wujal art centre to check out the aboriginal art on offer and to watch some women who were painting up silk with various designs. We made our way through the centre of the community before stopping further along the Bloomfield River at the boat ramp for lunch.

Can you spot the croc?

A picnic table was set up along the bank and we checked the view, noting the boats moored in the river. We ate lunch as I perused the river only to realise a large croc was out sunning himself on the bank opposite. He became easier to see when he opened his mouth to cool down. I was glad he was on the opposite side to us as he was quite big. It did make me keep a closer eye on the bank we were sitting on though.

When we had finished our lunch, we continued the journey home, stopping at the historical Lions Den Hotel in Helenvale. This is much like the Daly Waters Pub, with paraphernalia stuck to the walls and scribblings of previous visitors scrawled on all possible surfaces. We had a drink in the front bar, before looking around the different room and the small collection of antique bits and snakes and other creepies preserved in jars.

After checking it all out, we meandered our way back to the van but didn’t hang around for long. We did a quick book swap and then we walked into town, eager to put some steps on the pedometer. It was still extremely breezy and we found ourselves being blown left and right as we attempted to walk straight ahead.

We stopped at the croc shop for a postcard and the post office so I could send it. When the postmaster stamped it with a special mark, I told Paul I would send a card home to myself too.

We walked all the way to the wharf to check on the status of fishing and then returned up the main street, stopping at the pub for a drink before continuing on our way home. We again weren’t in for long, leaving 15min later in the car for Grassy Hill Lookout to watch the sunset.

We parked just below the lighthouse once again and climbed the final steep section to take in the view as he sun drifted away. A tour bus pulled up shortly after, so we left it to them and moved on to the lower section to continue to watch the sun turn the sky yellow. Unfortunately they followed us and we were inundated by the AAPT badge wearing oldies once again.

We returned to the car and back home ready to have dinner and relax for the evening. I keep telling Paul we should do the walk to the top of the lookout, rather than drive, but he won’t be in it. I know it would be a killer, but figure if Cook can do it through thick scrub we should be able to manage the path. Oh well, maybe I will do it on my own.