Cairns to Cooktown

From Cairns to Cooktown is over 300kms. The highway hugs the coast for a while  then beaches are replaced with sugar cane plantations meeting the road on both sides. A small gauge railway track provides the transport for the cut cane once cropping has occurred. 

The better road to Cairns veers off to cut through savannah-like vegetation as it winds its way inland. The changes in the vegetation are similar to our arrival in Milaa Milaa except the reverse.


coast road

lots of inlets, coves, bays but also crocodiles

sugar cane fields

inland road to Cooktown




We arrived at Cooktown CP and were greeted by very friendly people. The weather at the moment is unseasonal and according to them, cold! We're in sleeveless tops and shorts.

It is a windy place but that keeps the flies away and also makes the humidity very easy to cope with.

Off exploring tomorrow and the men might get in some fishing although we don't need to count on them for fish as a local fisherman drives around the van park every night at 5:00 p.m. to the tune of "Octopus' Garden" selling fresh seafood. We did have a lovely meal of barrumundi tonight ("caught" at the fish market in Cairns). Lots of eateries in town too so we'll have to check them out.