Tom and Cindy's Adventures: Cooktown, Endeavour River and Elim Beach

After being without internet for a few days we thought we would wing it in Cooktown and just see what caravan parks were available…..well that was a little issue. Seems the one we wanted was booked out and the others were either too small, too expensive or to old and worn down. We checked out the free stay at the racecourse but not being able to work out where the amenities were we decided to head out to the Endeavour River camp. This was a pleasant surprise and would recommend it to all, sights are placed in amongst the trees, river down the road a little and good facilities.

Fishing in the river is an option but when the owner says that you should only fish behind the barriers you really start to think. Seems that about 12 years ago someone was taken and ever since then they put these barriers up.

Having set up camp we headed back into Cooktown, about 15kms to do some emails and a little shopping. The kids managed to find the water park at the end of town, right on the river. Great set up and this will be used a lot over the next few days.

That night we headed down to the river again (in the car) spotlight in hand hoping to see some of the locals and add to the CCC. No such luck but I still would not swim there.

Day 2 in Cooktown, we headed back into town to go to the Museum. Was a good option, kids really enjoyed it and they give all the kids a scavenger hunt list to find different things in the museum. This was a big hit and allowed us time to read things without kids under our feet. When we finished, they took the list the front desk and got stamps as well and postcards and bookmarks, great idea.

After this we ended up at Grassy Hill, highest point in town, views were pretty good up there although that wind was still blowing. Hope it eases before we get to the top as its not great for fishing and makes a mess of the water colour.

Sightseeing done it was back to the waterpark for a while, kids occupied and gave Cindy and I a chance to get the Blog up to date. It has been a while and apologise to those that have been waiting. Also gave us a chance to do some washing and charge up the computer. Back to camp for the night. We decided to stay another night and just do a day trip, easier than packing up for one night.

Saturday morning markets in Cooktown, small but there is still a strong Asian influence so there were several stalls selling homemade dumplings, very nice.

Father’s Day morning. Best Dad ever!

Haircut time for Charlie

Markets done we headed off to Elim Beach, it is actually very close to where we are camped and there is a back track across instead of heading around via Hopevale on the bitumen. We were initially planning to stay there for a night but after speaking to the owner of the campsite he told us about the back track.

Nice drive through the coastal scrub and then you come out at this lover beach. One end there is camping and a nice big protected bay, then if you look north you see the coloured sands that Elim Beach in known for. There was some thought that we could drive down to the sand dunes but after playing on the beach with the kids it was quickly realised how soft it could be.

It was a great little place and can see why so many guys recommended it as a camping spot, next time maybe.

Off to bed early, big day tomorrow and then we start heading north to Lakefield National Park.