The Bloomfield River is 60 odd kms south of Cooktown and Allan stopped for a photo view.
Ze Bus
Bloomfield River
It was originally named "Blomfield's Rivulet" on 26 June, 1818 by Phillip Parker King.
Bloomfiled River & Hills
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Showing posts with label zLakes and Rivers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label zLakes and Rivers. Show all posts
42. Bloomfield River
Monday 29 September
The Bloomfield River is 60 odd kms south of Cooktown and Allan stopped for a photo view.
Ze Bus
This was our bus.
Bloomfield River
The river enters the sea north of Cape Tribulation and is noted for its Bloomfield River cod fish species, found only in the river.
It was originally named "Blomfield's Rivulet" on 26 June, 1818 by Phillip Parker King.
Bloomfiled River & Hills
It was a beautiful scenic spot and the water appeared to be so blue.
The Bloomfield River is 60 odd kms south of Cooktown and Allan stopped for a photo view.
Ze Bus
Bloomfield River
It was originally named "Blomfield's Rivulet" on 26 June, 1818 by Phillip Parker King.
Bloomfiled River & Hills
40. Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Community
Monday 29 September
Wujal Wujal means ‘land of plentiful water’ and is on the Bloomfield Track 60 kms south of Cooktown. Wujal Wujal was previously known as Bloomfield and later the Bloomfield River Mission. Originally founded in 1886 by Lutheran missionaries, the community became too difficult to administer due to its isolation and the missionaries of the time withdrew. The community opened again in 1957 and was administered by the Hopevale Mission Board. In 1979 the name was changed from Bloomfield River to Wujal Wujal. At the 2006 census, Wujal Wujal had a population of 326. The people are Kuku Yalanji.
Wujal Wujal
Visitors are warned not to bring any alcohol into the community as part of the Queensland governments aims at tackling aboriginal alcohol abuse.
Wujal Wujal artists Glen Williams and Doreen Creek worked with teacher Ross Franzi to create the tiles representing the communities’ cultural past and their future.
In 1980 the Aboriginal Council came into being, with the area regaining its traditional name, Wujal Wujal. The community has an Indigenous Knowledge Centre "Binal Mangka Bayan" (which means house of knowing things). The centre provides access to books, magazines and other educational material.
Wujal Wujal Crossing
Getting to Wujal Wujal is by an unsurfaced track road which is only suitable for 4WD's due to the gradient of the terrain and the numerous streams and rivers which cross the path at regular intervals. The road is unpassable when there's heavy waterflow.
Wujal Wujal Falls
The community at Wujal Wujal is thought to have existed on the site for thousands of years and in their eyes the waterfalls are sacred. Visitors are only permitted access to one waterfall as the other falls are only for the eyes of the female members of the community. There have been cases where non-aboriginal women have built a strong relationship with the community and been granted access to the falls however the Aboriginals insist that the other women be naked and coated in a layer of saliva from the aboriginal women.
Map
Wujal Wujal means ‘land of plentiful water’ and is on the Bloomfield Track 60 kms south of Cooktown. Wujal Wujal was previously known as Bloomfield and later the Bloomfield River Mission. Originally founded in 1886 by Lutheran missionaries, the community became too difficult to administer due to its isolation and the missionaries of the time withdrew. The community opened again in 1957 and was administered by the Hopevale Mission Board. In 1979 the name was changed from Bloomfield River to Wujal Wujal. At the 2006 census, Wujal Wujal had a population of 326. The people are Kuku Yalanji.
Wujal Wujal
Wujal Wujal artists Glen Williams and Doreen Creek worked with teacher Ross Franzi to create the tiles representing the communities’ cultural past and their future.
In 1980 the Aboriginal Council came into being, with the area regaining its traditional name, Wujal Wujal. The community has an Indigenous Knowledge Centre "Binal Mangka Bayan" (which means house of knowing things). The centre provides access to books, magazines and other educational material.
Wujal Wujal Crossing
Wujal Wujal Falls
Map
38. North To Cooktown
Monday 29 September
It is just after 8.00am and the journey to Cooktown begins. Country Road Coachlines, a locally owned an operated company travels between Cairns and Cooktown - offering two routes, the inland service and the coastal service. The inland service is a same day run, but I chose the coastal route as I wanted to travel along the famed Bloomfiled Track. This is an overnight service, going Cairns to Cooktown on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and returning to Cairns on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Allan was our driver and he had a great sense of humour.
I had a migraine and most of the way was spent lying across the seats on the bus - self-inflicted I know. I really should have gone to bed earlier the night before, but you know how it is - you're on holiday and don't want to miss a minute of it. Ah well, c'est la vie!
Raintree's Cafe
Our first stop was at the Raintree Cafe about 9.00am for a bite to eat and a cuppa. I bought an egg sandwich and a cup of coffee for $8.00 which was just what was needed after an early start to the day. Allan was really good and didn't mind if you wanted to linger a bit to finish that last smoke, or make a quick dash to the loo.
Outdoor Dining Area
We sat here in the outdoor area - all the smokers congregated here, plus it was much nicer sitting outside with lots of greenery around. The timber tables were indifferent shapes and the air was warm with a faint breeze.
Daintree River Ferry Crossing
I awoke to the sound of the ferry and we waited out turn to cross. TGhe time was a little after 9.30am.
Route Map
This shows the coastal route from Cairns to Emmagen Creek and part of the Bloomflied Track.
It is just after 8.00am and the journey to Cooktown begins. Country Road Coachlines, a locally owned an operated company travels between Cairns and Cooktown - offering two routes, the inland service and the coastal service. The inland service is a same day run, but I chose the coastal route as I wanted to travel along the famed Bloomfiled Track. This is an overnight service, going Cairns to Cooktown on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and returning to Cairns on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Allan was our driver and he had a great sense of humour.
I had a migraine and most of the way was spent lying across the seats on the bus - self-inflicted I know. I really should have gone to bed earlier the night before, but you know how it is - you're on holiday and don't want to miss a minute of it. Ah well, c'est la vie!
Raintree's Cafe
Outdoor Dining Area
Daintree River Ferry Crossing
Route Map
19. Atherton Tablelands - Lake Barrine
Tuesday 23 September
After seeing the Cathedral Strangler Fig, I made my way to the Lake Barrine Tea House for my (second) morning tea stop. Their Devonshire teas are legendary and the view from the outdoor balcony was magnificent.
Lake Barrine Tea House
Devonshire Tea
The scones were freshly baked - still warm - and you get a proper pot of tea.
Views over Lake Barrine
The lake is a vivid deep blue and it was just perfect - heavenly!
The gardens were magnificent and I couldn't get over how wonderful and colourful it all was.
Twin Palms over the lake
Lake Barrine is on the eastern part of the Atherton Tablelands and is a volcanic maar surrounded by rainforest. The lake is in Crater Lakes National Park,
Lake Barrine
Lake cruises operate from the privately-owned Lake Barrine teahouse. The gentle boat trip gives a different perspective and more insights into the lake and its wildlife. The privately- owned teahouse offers meals with relaxed views over the water.
Looking South
Lake Barrine is actually the crater left by a volcanic eruption approximately 10,000 years ago.
There are three crater lakes in the Atherton Tablelands - Lake Barrine, Lake Eacham and Lake Euramoo. According to the Ngadjonji, when two men broke a taboo and angered the rainbow serpent, the earth roared like thunder and the winds blew like a cyclone. The ground began to move and crack and in the sky there appeared red clouds that had never before been see. The people were frightened and ran but were swallowed by a crack which opened in the earth.
After seeing the Cathedral Strangler Fig, I made my way to the Lake Barrine Tea House for my (second) morning tea stop. Their Devonshire teas are legendary and the view from the outdoor balcony was magnificent.
Lake Barrine Tea House
Devonshire Tea
Views over Lake Barrine
The lake is a vivid deep blue and it was just perfect - heavenly!
The gardens were magnificent and I couldn't get over how wonderful and colourful it all was.
Twin Palms over the lake
Lake Barrine is on the eastern part of the Atherton Tablelands and is a volcanic maar surrounded by rainforest. The lake is in Crater Lakes National Park,
Lake Barrine
Lake cruises operate from the privately-owned Lake Barrine teahouse. The gentle boat trip gives a different perspective and more insights into the lake and its wildlife. The privately- owned teahouse offers meals with relaxed views over the water.
Looking South
There are three crater lakes in the Atherton Tablelands - Lake Barrine, Lake Eacham and Lake Euramoo. According to the Ngadjonji, when two men broke a taboo and angered the rainbow serpent, the earth roared like thunder and the winds blew like a cyclone. The ground began to move and crack and in the sky there appeared red clouds that had never before been see. The people were frightened and ran but were swallowed by a crack which opened in the earth.
13. Mossman Gorge - The Suspension Bridge
Monday 22 September
The Rex Creek Suspension Bridge is a real treat and was one of the highlights of my trip to Mossman Gorge. I waited for several minutes to get a photo without people on the bridge. The best part of crossing this bridge is when you're sort of in the middle, jump up and down making the bridge "swing" - doesn't half scare some of the tourists.
I am ashamed to say I was guilty of this and derived the greatest pleasure from it - childish I know, but lots of fun!
Rex Creek Suspension Bridge
Swimming anyone?
One of the popular water holes for swimming and just general water play.
Rock Pool
Australian Bush Turkey
The Australian Brush-turkey Alectura lathami, also frequently called the Scrub Turkey or Bush Turkey, is a common, widespread species found in Eastern Australia from FNQ to the Illawarra in NSW and grows 60–75 cm and has a wingspan of about 85 cm. This fellow was running about at quite a fast pace. You can read more information about these birds here.
The Rex Creek Suspension Bridge is a real treat and was one of the highlights of my trip to Mossman Gorge. I waited for several minutes to get a photo without people on the bridge. The best part of crossing this bridge is when you're sort of in the middle, jump up and down making the bridge "swing" - doesn't half scare some of the tourists.
I am ashamed to say I was guilty of this and derived the greatest pleasure from it - childish I know, but lots of fun!
Rex Creek Suspension Bridge
Swimming anyone?
Rock Pool
Australian Bush Turkey
12. Mossman Gorge - Car Hire and the Gorge
Monday 22 September
Today I pick up the hire car and it's off to Mossman Gorge, I caught the local bus up to Sheridan Street - about a 15 to 20 minute ride to Cairns Older Car Hire - I'd booked the "Backpacker" with aircon @ $30 a day, (without aircon it's $25) but they'd stuffed up somehow with a double booking. Mind you, I booked the car over six months in advance, anyway, they organised another one and upgraded me to a $45 vehicle for free. I waited for what seemed an age - then discovered the car was a manual.
Back to the office. They were going to give me a Sirion - problem was it was not there. Eventually I was given a red mazda and was out of there by 10.00am.
In spite of their error, I would recommend them to anyone wanting a car whilst up in Cairns - they had the cheapest prices and were very good to deal with.
Below: A map showing Mossman Gorge. If you click on the blue marker you will see a photo. You can also enlarge the map.
View Mossman Gorge in a larger map
Below: A Wicked Camper.
There are many "Wicked Camper" hire vehicles and all are brightly coloured. This one was parked near where I parked at Mossman Gorge.
Below: Crystal clear waters.
I drove to Mossman Gorge and had my trusty Thermos and morning tea with me at one of the picnic tables there. I found Mossman Gorge rather disappointing because it looked just like Victoria (my home state). I met a Melbourne couple who said the same thing. Later I drove to Daintree Village expecting to see a "village". It was a nice drive though even if there wasn't any village in evidence.
Big Boulders
This is the picture you see in all the travel brochures for Mossman Gorge.
Today I pick up the hire car and it's off to Mossman Gorge, I caught the local bus up to Sheridan Street - about a 15 to 20 minute ride to Cairns Older Car Hire - I'd booked the "Backpacker" with aircon @ $30 a day, (without aircon it's $25) but they'd stuffed up somehow with a double booking. Mind you, I booked the car over six months in advance, anyway, they organised another one and upgraded me to a $45 vehicle for free. I waited for what seemed an age - then discovered the car was a manual.
Back to the office. They were going to give me a Sirion - problem was it was not there. Eventually I was given a red mazda and was out of there by 10.00am.
In spite of their error, I would recommend them to anyone wanting a car whilst up in Cairns - they had the cheapest prices and were very good to deal with.
Below: A map showing Mossman Gorge. If you click on the blue marker you will see a photo. You can also enlarge the map.
View Mossman Gorge in a larger map
Below: A Wicked Camper.
There are many "Wicked Camper" hire vehicles and all are brightly coloured. This one was parked near where I parked at Mossman Gorge.
Below: Crystal clear waters.
I drove to Mossman Gorge and had my trusty Thermos and morning tea with me at one of the picnic tables there. I found Mossman Gorge rather disappointing because it looked just like Victoria (my home state). I met a Melbourne couple who said the same thing. Later I drove to Daintree Village expecting to see a "village". It was a nice drive though even if there wasn't any village in evidence.
Big Boulders
This is the picture you see in all the travel brochures for Mossman Gorge.
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