After our previous DISASTROUS trip in 2022 when we abandoned Parj's Jeep near the TOP, we felt we had to go back and FINISH the job. It’s a VERY pleasant trip, going up and back, so we were HAPPY to do this again, using our previous experiences to our advantage.
We took the DIRECT routes having done most of the SIDETRACKS on previous occasions. PAM was keen to spend more time in CAIRNS and do a Reef Cruise, and Parj was keen to get his photo beside the MARKER at the TOP.
We had gained a fair bit of valuable experience in:- Planning, packing and managing motels. It has become OBVIOUS that one has to pre BOOK all motels, well before leaving home, as arriving without booking will leave you stranded. Also, PAM was keen to re-visit some FANCY hotels in CAIRNS, which had fond memories. The Shangrila at the Ferry terminal and the Cairns Harborside were quite FLASH for us !
Now let the text and photos tell our voyage,
Our 1st leg was from home to Agnes water, some 600 odd km, mainly on Hway, avoiding tracks. The Lagoons Apartments were a good substitute, for our booked out Mango Tree motel.
Showing 40 lt. Engel and 2nd Spare wheel. Wheel was TOO heavy to place on ROOF so had to compromise in BOOT.
Personal BAGS and recovery GEAR, incl'g Axe, Shovel, MaxTrax, Air Pumps, +++ All stuff was located for EASY retrieval.
1770 Lookout, near Agnes Water, GREAT.
Not a bad spot, Eh ?
1770 Pub, well located right on water, Eh ? Lady Pamela tasting "Prosecco", Parj XXXX.
Lagoons Appts, Agnes Water. Mango Trees, our fav. Motel was not available.
From Agnes Water, we headed for Proserpine, avoiding Airlie Beach, which we had visited before, often. This was routine, so after a quiet nite, we continued on to Cairns, via Cardwell Pub for lunch.
Cairns ShangriLa Hotel, right on the Ferry terminal, Pams favourite in Cairns We also stayed at Cairns Harborside, on the way back, a bit further out but quite OK
We didn't have time for the CAIRNS Harbor cruise, will do on the way back. Also, having done the other CAIRNS attractions, like the Sky Rail Gondola and Kuranda Rail, we needed a rest day.
From Cairns, we headed North to Cooktown, via Cape Tribulation and the Coast. There was MUCH roadworks and delays from recent STORMS, but we managed OK, via the Lions Den Pub and Black Mountain, near Cooktown. Our favourite hotel in Cooktown was booked out, so we had to settle for a Milkwood Lodge, very nice but a fair way out of town. Needed our own Booze and Food, but was OK.
Queue for Daintree Ferry. Been to Toilet ??
Bloomfield River Bridge, I think ?
The MANDATORY stop @ Lions Den Hotel.
Captain Cook Lookout, Cooktown. Wow !
How did COOK climb up to here in 1770 ??
Milkwood Lodge Cooktown, all we could get ?
At Cooktown, our favourite Motel was booked out, we had to settle for a Lodge, a long way out of town, and had to provide our own Food and Drinks, for which we had planned for, thankfully. One must carry Emergency food and drinks for such and similar occasions, on EVERY trip, both in Oz and Overseas ! At Cooktown we had to re-visit the Captain Cook Lookout, which was magnificent. How Cook climbed this, centuries ago, in STEEP wild bush, with naval clothing and boots, is truly astonishing ! Parj would have had problems, 20 years ago, with good shoes/boots and BUSH fitness ?
From Cooktown, we headed West-North to Archer River Roadhouse, along GOOD roads. Archer River had GOOD cabin accommodation and reasonable FOOD and Booze. Cabin had AirCon, but share Toilets. Diesel prices were starting to get to $2.70 to $2.85 per litre. Our range of over 1,200 km was useful. Archer River to Bamaga and the TOP, was now on reasonable, good, gravel roads, with occasional bitumen passing bays. We needed these as the DUST thrown up by vehicles infront, made passing them dangerous, with BAD visibility. Many TRUCKS were courteous and pulled over to let us pass !!
At the TOP, we tried to stay at the Punsand Bay resort, very close to the TIP. This was booked out, so we had to stay at the EXPENSIVE Cape York Peninsula Lodge for 2 nites, living in LUXURY ! The trip from here to the TIP was reasonable, but lengthy, and we were surprised at the NUMBER of vehicles at the last parking area, a short but "difficult walk" to the tip. One had 2 choices :- Walk up steep rocks to the TOP marker, or walk along the Beach, some 200-300 metres at Low tide, then clamber over some 50 to 70 metres of rocks to the Marker. Parj, many years ago could handle either with EASE, by jumping from rock to rock. Now at age 81, with both knees and hips replaced it was MUCH more difficult ! For this reason, Pam stayed on the Beach, about 50-70 metres from the Marker, as we BOTH felt the last rocky stage would be TOO difficult for her. If she fell over, would be VERY hard to get her back to where the car was parked, even with outside assistance from other Helpers !!
Reception @ Cape York Pen. Lodge. VERY Expensive but all that was available !
Rooms and dining at Pen. Lodge were OK but some distance from TIP.
Seisha Beach, near Ferry Terminal.
30 km track to TIP, from Pen. Lodge.
We were amazed at the number of cars parked near the start of the TIP walk, well over 30 +. Were lucky to find a spare space.
Pam stayed on the Beach, 50 odd metres from the TIP marker pole. Last bit too hard !
Parj managed to get to the TIP marker, with some difficulty. Could NOT hop, rock to rock.
The RETURN trip to CAIRNS was un-eventful, with DUST making passing difficult. However, we were looking forward to some relaxing in LUXURY in CAIRNS, and doing a REEF cruise with "drinkies !!" It’s a HARD life if you can take it, Eh ?
Some DUSTY sections were much worse than this.
A GOOD Lookout on way back to Cairns.
Cairns Ferry Terminal, well done.
Our DAY trip FERRY, in Cairns. Was TOO long at 6+ hrs, in our opinion.
Cairns Boat trip, Food, Booze OK, but too long.
Good stop at Airlie Beach Sailing Club, on way home. Parj was a GOOD customer when he lived here, for 7 odd years.
Pam & Parj at Whit. Sailing Club.
View out of Whitsunday Sailing club. Parj used to launch and retrieve his power boat from here.
The Trip HOME from Proserpine on now GOOD roads was uneventful, with a stop at Agnes Water Mango Tree motel. From there to HOME traffic became HEAVY and were glad to be HOME again.
We were both GLAD that at age 81, we were able to DO & ENJOY such long and somewhat difficult trips. May NOT be able to do this, much longer ? Will probably have to settle for shorter trips with shorter daily runs. Also, may have to consider "Organized Tours & TRAIN trips?" Anyway, we are still travelling well with the PRADO, and see what happens in the future ? We reckon we have had a GOOD RUN, and count our blessings ?
