We were on the road just after 8am. We had a short pit stop somewhere before stopping for mornos at Palmer River Roadhouse for a well earned coffee made in the vans. The road up to this point was a mix of quite lumpy and bumpy, to downright fantastic with a 110 km/h speed limit! Not that we got near that.
Onwards to Lakeland, that is the 'Gateway to Cape York', but no lakes that we could see. We stopped at the visitor info area which had an interactive maze that told you about the different places and things to see and do whilst driving to the Cape. There were some interesting sculptures.
Onwards to Cooktown, and we were checked into the Peninsular Caravan Park just before 1pm. After lunch and a rest, we set out on foot (it was far too windy to ride) to explore the main street (Charlotte St) and find a place to dine tonight. We had been told by the van park lady that the Top Pub, aka Cooktown Hotel was really good, but also the RSL was as good. As we wandered we thought the Top Pub might just be the location for our pub night, however, we chanced upon the RSL and before anyone could make a decision, Wendy had booked a table and the Courtesy Bus to pick us up from the van park at 5:45pm.
After a little more wandering, we made our way home, getting blown off the path, to make ourselves a tad more respectable for the RSL. Chris picked us up two minutes ahead of time, and we were at the RSL not long after. The meals were not only delicious, but very well presented. Who woulda thunk at an RSL at Cooktown, we would have one of the best meals of the trip thus far. At 6pm, all activity stopped, the lights went out in the kitchen, some of the kitchen staff removed their headdress, and we all stood for the reading of the Ode. Nice to see that traditions continue, even so far North.
We all walked out to catch the bus back home. A very satisfying day on the road in the great outdoors of Australia.
#98 BIG4 Port Douglas
Drive scenery
Palmer River Roadhouse
Lakeland
Wedge Tail
White Breasted Sea Eagle
Black Cockatoo - White Cockatoo
Murals on toilet block at Lakeland info centre
Cooktown
Murals on the amenities at ANZAC Memorial Park Cooktown
Leopard Tank
ANZAC Memorial
M113 APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier)
On the wall of a Real Estate Agent
Healthy Country Hub building
Cooktown Post Office
Cooktown RSL
Murals on another amenities block at Cooktown
Cooktown Museum
A really old tree at Peninsular Caravan Park
Us at Peninsular Caravan Park
Greg's Szechuan & Lemongrass stir fried prawns and veg
Inside the Cooktown RSL
On the wall inside the RSL
Greg's reason for getting up so early - Planet alignment
