We departed Musgrave Roadhouse and on our way to the Lions Den Hotel we filled up at the Archer River Roadhouse, further on we stopped for morning tea at the Hann River Roadhouse. This was our 1st overnight camp on the Peninsula Developmental Road during our trek north, fuel and hot meals available.
Fueling up at Archer, these lazy horses we posing for a snap.
Hann RR - Old man emu was wandering around. Kaz wasn't about to give up her cereal!
Isabella Falls to the right and below. You find these if you take the Old Laura turn off just north of Laura. It takes you on a scenic and historical drive to Cooktown via Lakeland and Black Mountain National Parks.
Laura River Crossing. This trek crosses a couple of rivers and is usually closed in the wet.
Along the way you will come across the Historic Old Laura Homestead, Lakefield np.
It was a really warm day, so decided the homestead was as good as place as any to tuck into a prawn and wine lunch on the balcony of the station hand quarters! It was tuff, but someone had to do it :)
The main Homestead.
This steam driven tractor was located at the Laura Town Hall and was typically used to relocate the devastated Clermont township to a location less prone to flooding.
Damn... if only it still worked!
Grabbing a kg of old mates best tiger prawns at Cooktown harbour. A popular 20 minute trip north from the Den each day :)
Our next destination reached, the Lions Den Hotel!
Main Bar and ceiling
The Space Oddessy Camp site behing the LDH... nice and grassy! Though we could have done with more dust :\
State of Origin night at the pub with our camp site neighbours, like many we were lucky enough to get to know they were great, down to earth people.
Check the young photo bomber at the rear lol!
These little rapids were right behind our Lions Den camp on the Little Annan River Gorge, and made for a great place to sit, relax and concentrate on beer O'Clock.
Below the Bloomfield Falls make a good half day trip from the Den
Cooks Grassy Hill Lookout, and now home to a light house shipped over from England in 1885.
This shot was one I found on the Internet as a before shot, though I'm unsure when it was taken it certainly shows they have done some maintenance to it and the hill.
Current lighthouse condition.
Chinese gold rush is remembered here, Kaz is getting sweet talked...
There were 47 licensed pubs within the town boundaries in 1874, this place was rockin! Chinese community was many thousands strong and grew up in the goldfields in the town itself. They came originally as prospectors, but many established market gardens, supplying the town and the goldfields with fruit, vegetables and rice.
A rendezvous at the Den with our Hervey Bay friends now residing at Bowen.
Cairns for a stay over with some friends... the tents had a rest and so did we!
Lake Barrine Rainforest Walk, Atherton.
My poor attempt at capturing the Ulysses or Blue Mountain Butterfly as it's commonly known.
Down to Cardwell for the night, up early and keen to get to Townville some V8 action :_)
Townsville
We camped in an apartment at the Oaks on Palmer St... again, no tent required!
View from our room of the Ross River and the T400 race track!
T400 yard backing onto race track... Not sure if they charged this out but what a great idea.
A fly over below... he was having too much fun I think and the Porsche cup dudes hitting the track.
Craig Lowndes 888 machine in action
The view from our grand stand seats pictured here, we had a good breeze too.
Todd Kelly in the JD Nissan
Winterbottom's Pepsi Max Ford hitting turn 7. Frosty took out the 1st race.
V8 Chicks
The after party at the Mad Cow Tavern, girls just want to have fun!:)
Check out the young stars to be in the pic under the Green Room sign to the right. Nice shorts lads!
The kids playground on the strand
Afternoon view off a little bridge across the Ross.
We hope in sharing some of the highlights of out Cape York journey it inspires you to explore some of what this great country of ours has to offer and enjoy the best backyard in the world... Australia!
~The End ~
