Day 22. After surviving the wind gusts that blew hard overnight, we woke to a beautiful fine day. Slow start, a few chores and then we set off on foot to walk to the wharf. Cooktown is a lovely town, some nice old buildings, the impressive Endeavour River, and lots of history. The James Cook Museum is particularly impressive, both the lovely convent building and the content. The beach at Finch Cove is pretty too, but you can't swim there because of crocodiles. Th...

Day 21. Shared a meal last night at the Laura pub with a couple from 1770, near Bundaberg. Can you guess where the name comes from? The meal of barramundi was sadly only average. Our day started earlier than planned when some of the locals returned home and continued the party! They kept at it from 1.30am to after 3.30. Another local told me this is commonplace. If there is a next time at Laura, we will stay at the pub CP. However, the day improved immeasurably...

Day 20. Left for the Cape today, stopping for fresh roadside produce on the way out of Newell. Great tomatoes! We picked up the Mulligan Hway and drove through to Laura. The road is sealed right through to Laura. Another very scenic drive through the Atherton Tablelands. The Laura area (Quinkan) contains Queensland's most extensive rock art. It is rated by UNESCO as one of the top 10 rock art areas in the world. We are camped next door to the Quinkan Regional Cul...

Day 19. A mixed day, weather wise. Sunny off and on with the odd squall thrown in. A no drive day, just relaxing on the beach when possible, reading and writing. Got in some good guitar practice. Lucky we went up the River yesterday as apparently it just poured there today.

Day 18. Today we took a 'swamp tour' up the Daintree River. The views of the rainforest are spectacular from the river. Sadly, the contrast with the cleared land and terrible soil erosion with the million year old rainforest is stark. We saw the smallest crocodile we have ever encountered. The tour was spoiled for us by the old boatman telling a quite sexist 'joke'. Couldn't wait to get off! Had a look at Wonga Beach. Much like Newell. After lunch, RM went to se...