Sydney to Cairns - Friday 24th June 2011

We left Sydney on Friday morning very excited about our WILDERNESS CHALLENGE - 2011 7 day Cape York Drive/Fly "Frontier" Holiday. 

We arrived in Cairns on time flying with Qantas and stayed overnight at the Bay Village Tropical Retreat which was a lovely place - walkable distance from the waterfront and the shopping centre.  Our rooms were very comfortable and there was a restaurant attached and an internet access which was very convenient.

We met up with two of our fellow travellers there Jan Willem and Carla who had arrived a week earlier.

We had time to walk to the waterfront & had a drink at one of the waterfront bars.

We had dinner at the in-house restaurant and settled for an early night as we were being picked up at 7.15 am in the morning for our 4 wheel drive Safari Adventure to the top of Cape York.

The Daintree Rainforest, Queensland - Saturday 25th June 2011

On our way from Cairns to Cooktown we crossed the Daintree River by ferry and entered into "Cassowary" country where large birds move freely in the forest area.  We did not sight any live birds, but they can very dangerous if confronted - so we settled on viewing a model of the bird at the river crossing.

The Daintree Rainforest was a fascinating place full of all kinds of interesting plants, insects and animals.  It was a beautiful place to view and I needed to cross that off my bucket list.  Our Guide Dean explained all of natures wonders in the rainforest and were able to have an enjoyable walk in nice weather.

We walked the wooden forest walk underneath all the canopies of the trees.  It is a "must do" when in this area.

Mossman, Queensland - Saturday 25th June 2011

On the way from Cairns to Cooktown we had a rest stop at Mossman.  There was a market on in the park but we did not have time to investigate that as we were only having a short break. 

We got some refreshments at a nearly shop & had a walk along the street to stretch our legs.

The Bloomfield Track, Queensland - Saturday 25th June 2011

On our journey from Cairns to Cooktown we travelled the Bloomfield Track and stopped at the Bloomfield River which was a very pretty place and we got some lovely photos on the riverbank.  

On the way out of the Bloomfield Track we travelled on a road which was known as the "switch back" because of the twisting & turning of the road.

Ayton, Quensland - Saturday 25th June 2011

On our journey from Cairns to Cooktown we stopped at the little town of Ayton where we have fish and chips for lunch in the outside courtyard of the cafe.  It was a pleasant little spot and we enjoyed the lunch break.

The Lion's Den Hotel, Queensland - Saturday 25th June 2011

We stopped for refreshments at the Lion's Den Hotel on the way to Cooktown.  It was a quaint hotel full of all kinds of keepsakes and gifts.  They had a nice quite outside lounge area where we had a drink.  There were some unusual plants in the garden and there was also a huge old mango tree laden with flowers.

Black Mountain, Queensland - Saturday 25th June 2011

We stopped off at Black Mountain on the way into Cooktown.  It is a strange mountain & stands out of the horizon because of it's unusual nature - not at all like the rest of the surrounding bushland.

This was the only mountain on our tour that was so different from the ordinary landscape.