Cooktown

We got off from Cairn to head for Cooktown right on 10am.  It was going to be a long journey for the kids because it will be one of the first long journals in awhile.  We took the journey via the inland trek was around 360kms.  We made several stops along the way including Mareeba to look at the Diesel Ford Territory, Mt Molloy for lunch at the rest stop and Lakeland Roadhouse to fuel up.  The trip was different and very interesting with spectacular scenery.  It was very pretty.

The step Queen Elizabeth II used when visiting Cooktown

Captain James Cook Monument

Site of the Endevour being beached

We stayed in Cooktown for 3 nights. Our first day in Cooktown we took in the sights. Visiting many of the landmarks. We saw the spot the queen stepped onto the shores of Cooktown, the place where Captain Cook run aground the Endeavour. We visited the JC Museum and saw the anchor and cannon form the Endeavour and went to the Grassy Hill Lookout for sunset. The kids played on the musical ship which was really interesting also. The entire ship was made from recycled plastic and the instruments included a xylophone, drums, and wind pipes. Really amazing and lots of fun for the kids. We had lunch at the Bowls Club and Nigel had to wear the most attractive shirt because he was not allowed to wear his singlet. It was the ugliest thing out!

Nigel and his very UGLY shirt



Confusius say F#@$ U pointed out by Austin

Sunset over Cooktown - Grassy Hill Lookout

Willie Gordon our guide

Our next day we took a drive up the bitumen to the outer edge of the Hope Vale Aboriginal Community.  Here we meet Willy Gordan our aboriginal elder who took us around their land to show us rock art and to learn about bush medicine. Gurrbi Tour was very interesting.  The stories and information in which Willy share with us was really amazing.  We saw the birth site of their tribe and follow a bush track to other amazing sites.  Willy was great with the kids and took them around the area to show them other interesting things.  It was a very amazing day.  We all thoroughly loved it.  We were going to drive into the community but decided against it when we realised we had JB cans in the Engel.  The thought of a $75,000 fine and the car being impounded was not one we wished to deal with.  We drove to Isabella Falls where we decide the car did not want to tackle the river crossing so I waded across the river and took some lovely shots of the waterfall.  I completely forgot the crocodiles live in the rivers in this area......but thankfully this is not one of them...all safe to swim in. Phew.

The birth of a baby

The site of the birthing area.  Chosen because of the rainbow serpent head at
the opening of the cave.

Jordan doing a magic trick with Willie

Isabella Falls

Our journey out of Cooktown took us back down the same path we came.  We stopped off at Black Mountain.  A very strange mountain made entirely of granite rocks that have weather to turn black.  Hence its name.  They really are very striking against the landscape.  It is believed to have bad spirits so the Aboriginals’ do not visit the area.  When we turned towards Mt Carbine a big black cloud loomed in the distance.  As we drove closer we headed straight into miserable weather for our next few stops.