Day 10 Tuesday 31st May

Lakeland to Archer River Roadhouse 
One hour to pack up, we are getting good at this! 
My turn to drive today, I have the wheel of Barry's Hilux. I had Hannah and then Nanny in the passenger seat. 
On again, off again bitumen and gravel/dirt with lots of dips, shallow water crossing and mud. It was actually my first time driving in those conditions and I really enjoyed it. Barry said I can drive again tomorrow! 
Quick stops in Musgrave Roadhouse for morning tea and Coen for Lunch, but Brendan was on a mission to get there, he is missing the ocean! 
Kids loved the signs,  Blake said this one was inappropriate language. 
We arrived at Archer River Roadhouse at around 2.30 and set up under the lovely trees. The industrial washing machine did a great job on the towels and clothes ($6 per load). Kids were quick to help with the jobs when they found out we could swim in the river. 
Definitely a highlight of the trip, swimming in the Archer River. The swift currant was lots of fun. We all went up and down meant times. There is still a car in the water that got washed off the bridge a few weeks ago in the floods. 
Tree swing was a hit with the kids. 
Burritos and camp-fire to finish the day, Bliss! Blake is getting good with the axe. 

Popular posts from this blog

Day 21 Saturday 11th June

Image
Eliot Falls to Weipa Said goodbye to Nanny and Poppy this morning, will catch up again with them in about 11 days.  Had a quick swim the The Saucepan this morning before braving the Old Telegraph Track again. I am glad that is the only section of the OTT. It's not a lot of fun with a trailer 😕  Onto Bamaga Rd, omg there are sections of bitumen!  Passed through Bramwell Junction without stopping and took the 'shortcut' road to Weipa via Batavia Downs.  Good road, definitely recommend if coming to Weipa from the north.  Arrived in Weipa and checked out the lovely grassy campgrounds. Kids were straight in the pool of course, and then I learnt that we had better got to the shops straight away as everything is shut on Sundays.   Luckily Woolworths is right next to the campground.  Spent some time de-dusting a few things, seems pointless through as we still have lots more red roads to go. It just gets everywhere!...
Read more

Day 7 Saturday 28th May

Image
Winton to Porcupine Gorge Woke up to a football update from Barry. Hannah piped up and said "I can not understand Daddy's and Pa's language!", me neither kiddo!  Left Winton and drove the empty roads to Hughenden. I'm sure the sheep and cows are enjoying the green grass. It's probably as green as it gets around here.  Plenty of wildlife along the way - emus, brolgas, wild budgerigars, kangaroos and a dingo. Morning tea and fuel top up in Hughenden by the river. We met Mutt the muttaburrasaurus.  Only 1 hour drive to our destination at Porcupine Gorge. Was such a slow incline that we hardly realised we at the top of the Step Up.  The trek down to the Gorge was another level from Blackdown Tablelands, quite gravelly, but no too tough for us Mountain Goats!  We all jumped into the gorgeous water at the bottom. And saw how the campgound got its name, Pyramid Campgounds.  ...
Read more

Day 27 Friday 17th June

Image
Cooktown to Wonga Beach via the Bloomfield Track  Well, we had enough of the Trade Winds in Cooktown and left a day early. Everyone is a bit weary from the tent shaking gales.  By the time we figured out a plan it was nearing 10am. We past the Lion's Den again and onto a brief stop at the Bloomfield River for morning tea. We didn't see the resident Croc while we had a quick cast nest and fish. The Bloomfield Falls are beautiful,  imagine if they were in full flow across-wards.  Brendan challenged the kids to the world skip a rock competition!  Onto the Bloomfield Track. This is a 4WD track from Bloomfield to Cape Tribulation. I am glad I was a passenger. I was pretty nervous about this road but we didn't have any troubles. The brakes got pretty hot so we stopped half way along at Cowie Beach for lunch. Brendan thought it looked just like Deception Bay. Barry went walkabout again, this time for about an hour......
Read more