We were staying at Kauri creek campground at lake Tinaro
Kauri creek is a beautiful part of the national park, we had been there for a couple of weeks, as had the March flies, who had been getting a bit over excited so we decided to take a drive up to Cooktown for a week or so to give the little blighters a rest. There are not a great many Stops on the way although the views from the ranges on a good day are breathtaking, first stop Mt Mulligan
Kauri creek, lake Tinaro
We parked up at the great little rest area just north of the town, its well maintained and a small donation is requested, although I Didn’t see to many campers dropping Coins in the box. The township Hasn’t much in the way of attractions save of course the pub, and the historic sawmill ruins, but we Stayed a couple of days spent a Couple of bob, and moved out early, the Mulligan highway is not a Pleasant drive when its hot.
Next stop Palmer river Roadhouse, We have been here a few times and every time it is just a bit different, the roadhouse is on a hill looking down to the river, there are sites here and a free camp down beside the river, we will have to stop here! Maybe next time during the week as I think this place might get a bit excited on weekends, so a few pics then lunch and on to Cooktown again.
When you first drive in to the town you would think that this is just a very small remote community, driving up to the lookout gives you a great perspective of the town and surrounding areas, the Endeavour river disappears into the rainforest and the roads leading to the community’s of Hopevale, Annan river . 
There is plenty to see and do there, one of my favourites is to just walk around especially near the river, I imagine the sailing boats and steamers at anchor from the gold rush days, you can see why Cook was worried about getting out of the river when repairs to the Endeavour were complete, sand bars continually moving, navigating in a sailing ship with the prevailing winds around here would have been dicey.
The Endeavour river on a good day is spectacular, when Cook visited it would have been pristine with only the local Aboriginal community and the endeavour crew to appreciate the beauty of the river and surrounding rainforest; There is a thought invoking plaque in the town park near the river that tells of the struggle, and the eventual truce between Cook and the locals, it seems that the locals were a bit cranky with Cook for stealing some of their property. (old Australian aboriginal proverb, “if you want to use our wood to fix your ship don’t steal our stuff”) Anyway, back to the river, a walk along early in the morning or afternoon really shows of the colours of the river, the council has done a marvellous job of making sure that you can get the best of it, great walking/bike path take you to the best viewing places, plenty of signs and information of the area history
There are so many beaches close to the town, Cherry Tree Bay · Finch Bay · Quarantine Bay · Walker Bay · Elim Beach (Coloured Sands). all Accessible in a days drive
My favourite beach/bay is Archer point, on a windy day like the day we were there its beautiful on a good day its spectacular, the road in is not great, but conventional vehicles make it ok, there is a ranger station run by the local land council and since they have taken over most of the camping grounds have been closed, to be fair they needed to be, this is an special part of Australia and the campers were not doing the place any favours, camping is now restricted to two areas and they are free large and so far clean.
Archer point needed to be saved, the ocean views from the light house Rival the southern bight any day of the week, the water is crystal clear the air clear and clean I am sure! that we will be back there. Before leaving Cooktown having a walk around at night is worth it, in the evening the feeling of the old town is at its strongest, as the sun set there were local men unloading their catch at the boatramp, caught in the traditional way, three men a handful of spears and plenty of fish, the lights Came on at the wharf, the local game boats lit up, and further down the shore the local pizza van set up for the night, one of the quiet nights in cooktown.
One of the must do things up there is a visit to the lions Den hotel this pub has been going forever, there are many books written about the pub, customers and occupants, if you want to know about the place just click the link, its an icon of the area and queensland.
We were at Cooktown for a bit over a week, there is so much more to see and do, probably if you are just a little Adventurous the best way to experience the history is just pack a few things get the wheels going and see it for yourself, we well be back!
Spruleswood travells 