Cape Tribulation

 

Wish the weather was better, the drive up was nice but can only imagine how much better it would look with beautiful clear water. Due to the rain and strong winds that there have been for the last week it looked more like the Yarra than Reef.

Doesn’t look like it will be getting in better anytime soon, strong winds and rain is forecast for the week.

The drive up from Cairns towards Port Douglas is still very special even if the weather is not great

First ferry for the trip, over the Daintree River and into the Tribulation, where the Rainforest meets the reef….

On the drive in we saw our first Cassowary for the trip, ran across the road in front of us, too quick to get a pic though. A lot of the places up here are closed which is a little sad but still great to be here when things are not too busy.

We booked in to Cape Trib Camping grounds, right on the beach, fantastic spot with beach out the front, creek adjacent for fishing, a bar that sells wood fired pizzas……what else could you want, well a little better weather.

Set up camp in a spot that would be best for charging (sunny, if it was out) and set about exploring. Headed down to the creek to see if this was a good place to fish. There were a few guys fishing there and there were having a little success. I ventured further down the track to the boat ramp, across on the other side the resident 4m croc lay sunning himself, not a care in the world.

On the walk back to camp I came across the second Cassowary for the trip, a juvenile still fawn in colour. Little bugger chased me wanted what I had in my hand. So I threw the empty tinnie at him and bolted. Seemed to work and I retrieved my rubbish and headed back to camp. The whole thing was a massive form of entertainment for Charlie and he told everyone we talked to.

First full day in Cape Trib and the kids are struggling without any internet, actually was an issue for the adults too as there was still some work issues to sort out. There are a couple of spots that there is limited internet at, one being top end of Myall Beach, that was out first stop. Spent the best part of an hour sitting in a tree doing emails and call people to sort things out.

Little more exploring south dropping at a few isolated beaches and Cow Bay and then back to camp to do some fishing with Charlie, decided that we should put in the crab pot. No fish to report, only a small trevally and Charlie caught a muddie (jenny).

With no Muddie for dinner we had to slum it a little, Crayfish instead. We met a lovely couple from Mornington who were coming back from the Cape and they were looking make space in their freezer, couldn’t say no to the offer…..it was great.

Our last full day in Cape Trib, up early and Emi and dad headed off on a long walk from the camp alone Myall Beach to the top end to check some emails and make a few calls, pretty good office really.

 

Calls and emails done we headed back to camp via the creek to check the crab pot, no luck, looks like pizza tonight.

Next we headed up to one of the freshwater pools that you can swim in, the kids finally managed to get in after a little encouragement. Needed to get this out of the way early before the afternoon activities kick in. Charlie and dad, off on Croc Cruise and Emi and mum horse riding through the rainforest.

The croc cruise was a little slow but we did manage to spot a few included on big guy sunning himself, great little creek system with lots of activity, even managed to see a barra swim past, shame its closed to fishing and crabbing. CCC only increased by 3 on this cruise.

Emi and mum had a great day on their riding adventure, think it ticks a lot of boxes and was a great way to spend the last full day in Cape Trib.

Whilst this was still happening Charlie and I (along with another fellow camper) headed off to see if we could catch some bait and then turning it into something bigger. Its been 30 years since I had thrown a castnet and after a quick lesson form another camper that morning what could go wrong. Well these must have been the unluckiest bait fish ever. We got a few bites but nothing to show for it, pizza it is then.

Quick pack up and surprise it only rained a little overnight, time to say goodbye to this lovely place and head for Cooktown. Charlie was all excited, little 4-wheel driving, we were heading up the Bloomfield Track, 4wd only but was not too back.

First creek crossing for the trip, kids all excited and well documented by Cindy. The track is pretty steep in areas with some 30 degree climbs, slow and steady and up we went. Was a great drive through there and well worth it if you ever get the chance.

Stopped in the famous Lion Head Hotel, just south of Cooktown for a quick bowl of chips and a drink, bought the stubbie cooler and then head on our way.

Also stopped to admire a place called Black Mountain, there are a series of black granite boulders that form these mountains and they sit in the middle of this lush tropical surrounding, very unique.

Updates:

EEC, still no change....nothing happening here for a while. EEC stands at 97.

CCC, well now we are in the tropics we would expect to see things increase. Nothing spotted crossing the Daintree but once we got to Cape Trib Camp their resident 4m started the count, another 3 spotted on the River Cruise and the number start to increase. CCC now stands at 10.