Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
for weeks on end during the Wet, and even in the Dry you should check road conditions,
as creek crossings are affected by tide times. It's unsuitable for trailers.
The track is a contentious one: bulldozed through pristine forest in the early '80s, it was
the site of battles between environmental protestors and police. Some locals still seek a
staged closure over the next decade or so.
It's 8km from Cape Trib to
Emmagen Creek
, from where the road climbs and dips steeply
and turns sharp corners. This is the most challenging section of the drive. The road then
follows the broad Bloomfield River before crossing it 30km north of Cape Trib.
Turn left immediately after the bridge to see the
Bloomfield Falls
. Crocs inhabit the river
and the site is significant to the Indigenous Wujal Wujal community, just north of the
river. The local
Walker Family
( 07-4040 7500;
www.bamaway.com.au
;
adult/child $25/12.50; by reser-
vation)
runs highly recommended half-hour
walking tours
of the falls and surrounding forest.
About 5km north of Wujal Wujal, the
Bloomfield Track Takeaway & Middleshop
(
07-4060
8am-10pm Tue-Sat, to 8pm Sun & Mon)
serves food and has fuel, fishing
8174; dishes from $10;
tackle and groceries.
North of Bloomfield, several walks begin from
Home Rule Rainforest Lodge
( 07-4060 3925;
www.home-rule.com.au
;
Rossville; unpowered sites per adult/child $10/5, r adult/child $25/15)
, at the end of a
bumpy 3km driveway. Spotless facilities include a communal kitchen; meals are available
as well as canoe hire. Home Rule is ground zero for the weekend- long
Wallaby Creek Festival
(
www.wallabycreekfestival.org.au
; Sep)
, with roots, blues and Indigenous music on two stages.
It's only another 9km to the welcoming
Lion's Den Hotel
( 07-4060 3911;
www.lionsdenhotel.com.au
;
398 Shiptons Flat Rd, Helenvale; unpowered/powered sites per person $12/28, s/d $45/65,
d safari tents $80; )
. This iconic watering hole with genuine corrugated, graffiti-covered
decor dates back to 1875 and still attracts a steady stream of travellers and local charac-
ters. There's fuel and ice-cold beer, and its
restaurant
(mains from $20;
breakfast, lunch & dinner)
serves up excellent pub grub.
David Attenborough has spent time at the
Mungumby Lodge
(
07-4060 3158;
www.mungumby.com
;
Helenvale; s/d $260/279; )
- you'll see why as you explore its rain-
forest walks and nearby waterfall. En suite bungalows are scattered among the lawns and
mango trees. Rates include breakfast; lunch, dinner and nature tours are available.
About 4km north, the Bloomfield Track meets the sealed Cooktown Developmental Rd,
from where it's 28km to Cooktown.
