Cairns and the Cape Trip, Oct 2018, Day 7

We were up and going relatively early from camp, heading east towards the Frenchman's Track start. Things always take a lot longer when they need to be filmed. We turned onto the track and there weren't to many worries. Along the way we let a local car through as they were heading off camping. When we got to the Pascoe River and it's crossing we found that car hung up on its diff with no traction to the rear wheels. A quick winch backwards and a different line saw him through with no more worries. We set up for a quick lunch before stating the crossing. Luckily there was no more traffic as it took quite a few more hours to film the cheap cars getting through. 

Once all the support cars were through we stopped for a rest and a swim before heading off. More filming for a steep rough bit of road, then it was decided that Dave and I could forge ahead to the Wenlock River and look for a camp site. Here we hit a few snags. The first being a longish water traverse with the first 20 metres (east to west) being pretty soft. I almost lost a croc, sinking to the bottom when I walked across to check the depth. Dave tried a couple of times but bogged down. We waited for the rest to catch up so we would have recovery options. When they arrived he gave it another go and got through fine. The 79 Landcruiser came next and just made it through as it was bogging down. A couple of the cheap cars came through with no problems as they were pretty light, one of them went back for seconds as it was fun. 

We headed off while they played and another problem popped up about three or four kms down the road. It's just a small creek crossing but it had a very steep and leaning entrance with no way around it. 

We waited for the others to come along and because it was close to sunset we decided to camp the night before risking the cars on the crossing. 

Once again they set up the camp trailer and did a bit of filming, while they did that we started cooking up some beef kebabs on the Weber. After dinner we sat around and chatted for awhile before heading off to the swag. 

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Cairns and the Cape Trip, Oct 2018, Day 6

Had an early start. We headed into Weipa to see if we could find an alternator. Left Archer River just on 6 am and roughly 2.5 hours later we were there. While the auto-electrical place looked at the alternator we went and did some shopping for food, fuel and camping stuff. There ended up being problems with the alternator that they had, so they stripped an alternator off an old car and we brought that back to Archer River. 

We got back at about 2:30 pm and they started working on fitting the alternator. This gave me a chance to have a nice hot shower and a bit of a rest. Around 4'ish it seemed like everything was working, if not at 100 % then at least it was generating electricity. We packed the cars up and headed off a little later. It was only 50 or so kms up the bitumen road to the turn off to Lockhart River but it took an hour or so due to filming of the three cheap cars. 

At this stage they wanted more filming on the dirt road, so Dave and I headed off to find a camp for the evening. Just past the Wenlock River crossing (dry at this time of year) we tried a couple of tracks and eventually found the one to the Batavia Goldfield Ruins. There was a great camp spot with no one around. Pretty spectacular ruins with lots of old gold mining equipment about. 

Dave and I then sat back and had a drink while we waited for the others to rock in. Once there they had to do some filming as they set up camp. Finally we were able to cook up dinner (butter chicken and rice). Afterwards it was chatting around the camp fire before going to bed with the promise of an early morning for filming. 

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Cairns And the Cape, Oct 2018.

Had a bit of a slow morning as some of the cheap cars needed some mechanical work. But we finally packed up and left around 10'ish. We thought we were going to have only a shortish drive to Archer River but it was going to be over 300 kms. The bitumen finished shortly and but returned on and off along the way making a nice break from the dirt road. The road was rough and dusty in places but there really wasn't any sign of the famous corrugations. 

We had a couple of stops a long the way to check the cars on the trailers and finally stopped off in Coen for a late lunch. 

Then it was an easy run into Archer River Roadhouse where it was time to do a bit more mechanical work on one of the cars. Turns out it's alternator wasn't working. The sunset was spectacular so I put the drone up for a look around. 

Then it was time to cook dinner for the group, steak, beef ribs and salad. Finally, we could settle down for a drink and a chat before heading off to bed. 

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Cairns and the Cape, Oct 2018.

Had another lazy morning as we didn't have to be anywhere until a bit later in the day. Had brekky at the caravan park and then packed up and headed off to TJM in town. Met up with others there and they unloaded some cars off of trailers. After chatting for awhile Dave and I headed off to do the food shopping for the group. Several trolley loads of stuff from Woolies later, we met up with everyone again and headed off around 1 pm. 

Then it was a pleasant drive up to Mareeba, then Lakeland and finally Laura. We got there just as the sun went down and checked into the camping ground behind the pub. Dinner was at the pub and was ok. Then it was off to bed relatively early. 

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Cairns and the Cape, Oct 2018.

Had a bit of a sleep in and lazy morning as I didn't really want to leave until the 10 am checkout time. No rain overnight so everything was nice and dry. I had my Ice Break while catching up with what was happening in the world, then a quick shower before packing up and getting the car rearranged since I would be picking Dave up from the airport, tonight at 9 pm. There were a couple of other cars coming up from Sydney and Dave got me to book a big space at the Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort. Nice place and not too bad a price for three cars and five adults. 

Before leaving the first caravan park I went for a walk down to Lake Placid and had a look, very beautiful spot but the croc warning signs meant I didn't go for a swim. 

Left at about 10 am and headed off to the next caravan park, along the way I found a Maccas where I could park the car and trailer, so I stopped in for a bit of brunch. The new cara Park had an 11 am check in so I stopped in and paid the money for the site for the night. It was a deep grassy site and I was able to swing in over the adjacent couple of sites so that I didn't have to do too much backing of the trailer and what I did have to do was relatively straight. 

Meanwhile the other folks had problems with one of the cars so they either not make it to Cairns tonight or get here pretty late. I ended up sitting in the shade and drinking quite a lot of cold water as it was up over 30 deg C and quite humid. Then after unhitching the trailer I went for a walk and got an ice cream (unfortunately no magnums 😞) and continued on to check out the pool area. There wasn't much shade over the pool, so I thought I'd come back later in the day when the sun had dropped down a little.  I did a quick drive out to the local supermarket for some essential supplies (Ice Break) before coming back to a relaxing arvo in the shade reading a book. 

Later in the day it was very pleasant in the pool and I went back for a nice warm bubbly spa after I set up my swag, stretcher and shelter as it may rain tonight. The folks who homing from Sydney only made it to Innisfail for the evening so we'll catch up with them tomorrow. Went off to the airport to pick up Dave and then back to the caravan park. This took awhile as Dave's bag didn't come out quickly.  Chatted awhile and then turned in for the evening. 

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Cairns and the Cape, October 2018

Had quite a good night at the rest stop and as I was packing up in the morning a green frog came to visit and help. Had an Ice Break and a sandwich for brekky before hitting the road a little after 7 am. Refueled the car about 60 km down the road in Ayr and then continued north. Getting past Townsville was pretty easy as there is a nice signed ring road that dodges nearly all the traffic. Dropped into the Frosty Mango for morning tea and had some very delicious mango and passion fruit ice cream. Picked up some mango and chilly sauce to try later on. 

As I was making good time I decided to drop into the little town of Lucinda. I don't think I've been here for nigh on 50 years. It was a Family caravan trip and we visited my uncle who was a fisherman and he lived over on Orpheus island. That was a great couple days wandering around the close in coral reefs and eating some of the freshest coral trout that I can remember. Although from memory the boat trip back was pretty rough and I don't think Qwell's had been invented then. 😞 🤢 Had Barra and chips for lunch from the local take away shop - excellent. 

Kept going north, stopping in at Cardwell for a quick photo before stopping in Innisfail to refuel.

 I was going to stop the evening at the free camping spot on the river at Gordonvale but when I got there I didn't really feel comfortable at all and there was a fair bit of noise from the road traffic, so I continued onto Cairns. Using Wikicamps I found a nice sounding caravan park near Lake Placid so I headed there and set up for the evening. 

Had a nice warm shower and the a swim in the pool. Wayne dropped in a little later and we caught up, chatting for a few hours. As I was going to bed I felt a few drops of rain, although none was forecast, so I put up the awning just in case. Turns out I didn't need it as it was dry overnight. 

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Cairns and the Cape, Oct 2018.

Woke up around 2:30 am as the rain started to come down much heavier. However I was pretty well protected under the awning and I had the little plastic tarp over the swag to keep any drops or spray off. It only lasted about 30 mins and then went back to a misty drizzle. Got up about 6 am and slowly packed things up and had an Ice Break  to get me going. Hit the road going north and stopped at the BP servo at Marmor for brekky (coffee and toasted sandwich). More driving before pulling into Illbilbie Servo to refuel the car and have some lunch. 

Then even more driving until I stopped at a servo on the outskirts of Bowen, where I picked up some drinks and sandwiches for dinner later on. I ended up stopping a bit early (4:30 pm) at the Guthalungra Rest Area about 40 km north of Bowen. It's a nice clean little spot where you can stay for 20 hours. Toilets and sheltered picnic tables. It's not supposed to rain tonight but I'll set the swag and stretcher up under the shelter shed just in case. 

It's also a little close to the road for my liking but that should quiet down after awhile. The wind is also dropping off and the temperature is very pleasant, I'll be ready for bed after a dark and stormy or two. As the sun goes down the rest area has about 5 cars/campers and room for another 10 or so, everyone is nice and quiet so should be a good evening. 

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