Cassowaries, Crocs and Cooktown

Cooktown from Grassy Hill

While at Cape Tribulation we headed up to Cooktown for a couple of days leaving the vans at Cape Trib. The coastal road, known as the Bloomfield Track, runs through some marvellous coastal rainforest and crosses a number of pristine streams and road is recommended for 4WD vehicles only - some grades on the road were 33%!  The road joins a more conventional road at the Bloomfield River and the Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal. The trip to Cooktown covers some 100 km and passes some great coastal scenery, waterfalls and waterholes.

Archers Point - south of Cooktown

A few kms before you get to Cooktown there is an amazing little pub called the "Lion's Den" - a real "must stop".  The pub claims a history dating back 120 years and it is fascinating to have a wander inside - writing all over the walls from passers-by and crazy signs adorning the place - "Keep your dog outta my bar I'll keep my bullets outta your dog!", etc.

The Lion's Den verandah

Cooktown is fascinating and full of history.  James Cook managed to sail the crippled "Endeavour" about 40 km from the reef to the river inlet of present-day Cooktown to repair the ship in order to continue his exploration of the east coast of Australia and then back to England. The ship was beached near the river mouth and the hull repaired in three weeks although, due to unfavourable weather conditions, they remained in Cooktown much longer. We actually had breakfast in the "1770" restaurant which is located on the bank only a 100 metres or so from the actual spot where the "Endeavour" was beached in June 1770.

Croc at Bloomfield Falls

On our way back to Cape Trib we stopped at Bloomfield Falls.  We were discussing the possibility of a swim in the river when the sight of a nice big crocodile in the middle of the river sunning himself on a rock decided the question without any further discussion!

A cassowary in the rainforest

Further along the trek back home we came across a cassowary on the road.  We weren't quite quick enough to get a good photo of it as it darted quickly into the rain forest never to be seen again.