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Quick montage of the trip so far... Click the image to view a high quality version.

Description, clockwise from top left:

1. Dave and Tim setting up for lunch behind Tim’s van, my van is on the right.
2. Walking to a beach at Cooktown.
3. Feeding Rock Wallabies at Granite Gorge.
4. We took a cow’s spot on the way to Cooktown.
5. Dave, Leigh and Tim in my van on a grocery mission.
6. The rat that lived in my van for a while, then ate some of Greg’s shoe.
7. Sunset near Townsville.
8. Driving North.

We have stayed here for a few days and could stay for many more. Beautiful scene, river beside us and safe swimming holes.

HRD photo of the Mulgrave River at dawn. Click the image above for a large version.

29km south of Cairns is the Gordonvale rest area, where there are toilets and tables. Around that is some larger spaces for caravans and campers to park. Looking off to the edges you will notice dirt vehicle tracks that lead down to the river, down here you can setup camp also. Beyond that we drove under both bridges and found a few nice spots. Although I don’t think technically this is part of the rest area, this is one of the best inland camp spots this convoy has discovered. There are plenty of shaded and private sites, rarely do you hear other people.

Great landmark for our camp spot, the view of Walsh's Pyramid Mountain when driving back from Cairns. Click the image above for a large version.

The river meets the base of Walsh’s Pyramid Mountain which is the largest in the area, definitely the most unique. Have had a good time relaxing here, sleeping a glutinous amount and thoroughly enjoying it.

Related article: ‘Free accommodation near Cairns‘

There is no camping except for caravan parks, within 15kms of Cooktown. With some local knowledge we headed to Annon Gorge and found a spot on top of a hill on the other side of the river from the main access point (tour groups showed up there everyday).

The three vans with a communal covered area, the tarp comes out on rare occasions.

Very good part of the river here, a sandy beach type entry to some rapids for fun and safe swimming. We had a fire on the sandy area one day and cooked potato’s in the fire – delicious jacket potato!

About 60km from Cooktown just past Lakeland, secluded off-road in-a-ditch style camp tonight.

Sunrise, before departing to Cooktown

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This is the furthest north in Australia that we will travel.

The world’s oldest rainforest.

Cape Tribulation, Daintree Rainforest

We have the privilege of camping in this amazing place. First night stayed at Noah’s Beach camp ground and then found a secluded off-road spot where we could stay for two nights, near Cow Bay.

We drove around a few roads to find and off-road spot. About 2 cars drove past in 3 days.

Yesterday we crossed the ferry and stayed at Mt Molloy rest area, after being kicked out of a park at Wonga Beach.

Looking behind to Leigh's van on The Daintree Ferry