by Day 1 Brisbane to Rockhampton. 624km. 7hrs Driving
We left home at about 9.30am to begin our epic voyage!
Just north of Gympie we met up with our fellow Campers.
As the cape trip is a big one we are economising on camping equipment in teams of 2. The Hansens and Sutherlands and The Scotts and Jardines. We felt it was appropriate to have team names, not for competition just because we can! So the Hansens and Sutheralnds became TEAM HOT STUFF and the Scotts and Jardines somehow became TEAM SARDINE. Sam even got Tatoos for us all!!!! We are starting to fit right it!!
The road to Rockhampton was long, but our day was finished with a special treat. The Rockhampton Rodeo at the Great Western Hotel!! Where we saw a 3 year old girl ride a bull, a teenage boy get thrown off and knocked unconscious and a man get stomped on by his horse!!
Day 2 Rockhampton to Townsville 722kms 8:15hrs Driving
An early start today and we were off to Townsville. A 9 hr drive.
The drive today is a long one and our CB radios have proven to be wonderful entertainment. “What is the collective noun for 4 camper trailers heading to the cape?” “How do you tie together Hot Stuff 1 & Z and Sardine 1 & 2?” Today we became THE CHILLI CAPERZ!
After making our way around some below the speed limit ‘Bogies’ we stopped at the big mango for an obligatory group photo, before the final push to the Townsville BIG 4 camp ground.
Day 3 Townsville to Port Douglas 428kms 6:15hrs Driving
After a trip to Castle Hill to see the views over Townsville and where Tania and Luke used to live, we head north.
Lunch was a pie spot in Cardwell. Pies by the seaside where we read the sign about the croc that has taken dogs from the foreshore!!
We made a slight detour to see where Kate spent her teenage years in Cairns, then onto Port Douglas – our new home for 3 nights.
Day 4 Port Douglas – The Reef
Today was reef day, we were all happy to be out of the cars and heading out to sea.
It was 1 1/2 hr journey out to Opal Reef. We were on a catermeran that takes 100 people but there was only about 60 on board, so it felt quite spacious. We went to 3 different sites to snorkel or dive – depending on what you wanted to do. It was a little overcast and choppy so the colours under the water were not as vibrant, but we still had a fabulous day.
Day 5 Port Douglas – Crocodiles and Mossman Gorge
We set off for our Daintree river cruise to find some crocodiles and find crocs we did!!
The onto to Mossman Gorge for a walk through the beautiful rainforest.
Day 6 Port Douglas to Cooktown 207kms 4:30hrs Driving
We had a quick pack down in the rain. Today is the day we get the cars dirty! Bloomfield track here we come.
There was some trepidation about attempting the Bloomfield track in the rain. No one was recommending that we attempt it with trailers, maybe the city folk weren’t going to be able to cut it!! Afterdropping into to a local store and a few Chilli Caper discussions we decided, against all odds to buy a one way ferry ticket across the Daintree and take our chances.
The rainforest through to Cape Tribulation was spectacular and then the Bloomfield began.
The Sutho’s had a tyre malfunction when letting down their tyres, requiring a whole tyre change – thank goodness for that because that was the most exciting car action we came across for the whole spectacular drive.
We stopped for lunch at the Lions Dens Hotel – where the Jardines lunched 20 years before.
Then onto Cooktown, past Black mountain and Annan Gorge.
Day 7 – Cooktown
Today was a rest day in Cooktown before the real Cape adventure starts tomorrow!
