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| She sits nice and level now |
.....we thought we'd better go on a shake-down trip to see how she handles a bit of rough stuff. Not too rough as we are still getting used to her, but rough enough.
Thursday 21th August 2010
We waited around the house until afer lunch as Telstra we supposed to fix our phone line. We gave up and left for Kuranda at about 2pm. A lazy drive up the range and then into the caravan park to pitch the tent. We had stayed here before when we cycled around the tablelands last year.
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| The camp at Kuranda |
After setting up camp we went for walk along the railway track into Kuranda itself to have a look around but everything we shut as it was 4:30pm so we made our way back to camp.
In the morning, after waking everyone up making tea using the multi-fuel burner for the Trangia which roars like a jumbo jet, we packed up and found the start of Black Mountain Road. Black Mountain Road goes through the rainforest towards Mossman and is a dirt track but pretty easy going although a few places where a bit slippery as they were wet. No challenge for the Landy yet.
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| Doesn't she look good |
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| A wild horse...did I really need to tell you it was a horse? |
A happy Landy owner
The road then hit the bitumen and had a nice view while winding our way back down the Rex Range to the coast.
We had a quick look at Mossman and then made our way to Daintree Village.
Had a cup of tea before finding the ferry to cross the Daintree River
Even though Cape Tribulation is spectacular we were a little disappointed that it has been developed so much as it has lost a bit of it's remoteness.
It wasnt all bad :)
When you leave Cape Trib you lose the bitumen and hit The Bloomfield Track, it's good dirt but had some of the steepest sections of road I've ever seen.
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| I was thankful this section was concrete |
We had to use low range on a few of the hills they were that steep.
The photo does not do the grade justice, low range just to maintain engine braking.
The Bloomfield Track was pretty amazing and throw in a few creek crossing, very steep climbs and descents, spectacular coastal views and lush green rainforest it was amazing. So good that we forgot to take any photos....ooops.
We hit Ayton and set up camp at the caravan park.
In the morning the road improved as we headed to The Lions Den Hotel.
Stopped here for a driver change and looked over the side of the road to see this creek.....
.....very beautiful.
The Lions Den Hotel
From here we found bitumen again on our way to Cooktown.
We stopped and had a quick look at Black Mountain
On to Cooktown where we found our favourite Queensland town yet. It's a sleepy little coastal village with an outback feel.
There was a market on so we bought lunch and some fruit
Had the opportunity to trade 'up' to a better Landy but Sandy wasnt so keen.
From Cooktown the original plan was to head back to Cairns via the Mulligan Highway (all bitumen) and that would be the end of our trip but while looking at our Cape York guide book I spied the Battle Camp track that heads to Old Laura through Lakefield National Park. It's described as a rough 4WD road so that's where we headed.
Very beautiful stuff
Unfortunately someone in government decided that the road needed to be upgraded so it was mostly very wide and fairly smooth. It took a little of the adventure out of it so one in the national park we explored some of the campgrounds.
Soft sand tracks were no problem to the Landy.
Spotted some brolgas next to the track
A dodgy track led us through this grove of palms
and to this water hole. It was here that we saw a log in the water and then when we turned back the log had moved.......no swimming in these parts.
We headed back to the main track and then onto Old Laura homestead.
From here we turned North to check out 6 mile camp. It was a cool track in and was a beautiful spot when we have marked for future expeditions.
We had a cup of tea at 6 mile camp
Sandy was not so pleased to see the snake skin
The 6 mile camp track was a bit of a test for the Landy with some soft sand and shape drop offs. The traction control even engaged once. The Landy has been the best 4WD I've driven in the bush. Big statement especially coming from a man who has owned seven LandCruisers.
Back on the main road we headed south thinking we might camp at Laura. We got to Laura and decided against that. Those that have been to Laura will understand. We continued on to Lakeland which was a little oasis in the dry bushland. A quick pitch of the tent and then to the pub for a couple of beers and a counter meal.
Headed home this morning and the trip from Lakeland to Mt Carbine then onto Mt Molloy goes through some of the best looking outback scenery around.
We stopped at the Palmer River Roadhouse for breakfast and chatted to the owner for ages about stuff and she showed us another trip that she said was terrific and very rough 4WDing so we will plan that one in the near future.
As for the Defender, well it absolutely shone. Sure it's not as comfy on the highway as our 100 series LandCruiser but in the bush it is superb.
A fantastic trip and just a taste of the opportunities available to us in North Queensland and we are already planning the big trip up the Cape for next year.
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