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After exactly two months in the van, and the departure of two fellow convoy members, it was time to drive home.

And then there was three...

The drive was a big one, 2150km and we travelled from the camp at Gordonvale near Cairns to Surfers Paradise in just 10 days.

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Starting from Gordonvale, these are the places we visited on the way to Surfers Paradise:

• Mission Beach: Dunk Island View Caravan Park,
• Jourama Falls: which we camped at a few weeks ago,
• Funnel Bay at Airlie Beach: which is where I first met the convoy at the start of my trip,
• St Lawrence: a recreational reserve on the way to Rockhampton from Mackay,
• Bargara Beach outside of Bundaberg: staying at the caravan park a short stroll from a nice cluster of shops,
• Caboolture: our final camping at the back of the showgrounds,
• Surfers Paradise: where I am now, heading home to Grafton next week…

The drive was hard but having a co-driver helped hugely. We tried to breakup large days of driving (300kms +) with a rest day in between. Now I have hot showers, cold water and electricity on demand which seems so luxurious.

Free camping just 20 minutes south of Cairns. We spent a while at this spot, and the one previous post ‘Free camping at Gordonvale, near Cairns‘ just doesn’t show how great this spot was. Enough said, photo time…

One of the many iterations of the van setup.

This is the main and most easily accessible camp area which is sign posted and free to stay. Some campers had been there for weeks.

Some of the local wildlife.

One of two Goanna's that frequently walked buy then climbed the trees. Click the image above to view a large version of this photo.

North Queensland Bandicoot beside the Mulgrave River at Gordonvale. Click the image above to view a large version of this photo.

Beautiful spot, just be wary of crocodiles and rain as this area can flash flood.

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

Yesterday dropped a friend at Mareeba after staying another night at Granite Gorge. Met the boys outside of Cairns and proceeded to Wonga Beach.

The usual.

Via some local knowledge at the lot in Wonga Beach, we dropped in to Port Douglas, caught the ferry to Cape Tribulation and are now camping at Noah’s Beach, in the Daintree Rainforest.

Map of Noah's Beach, near Cape Tribulation.

I continue to marvel at the weather, we all do. Even on days like this, the temperature is still in the high 20′s. Everyone is loving the North Queensland winter, including a large amount of retirees.

Clouds and blue sky above the Great Dividing Range, driving north in the early morning.

If you need a panel beater in Cairns then go see Jim at Jim’s Panel’s – 102 Kenny St. Cash only but he is a top bloke and does a top job, not really listed anywhere I could find.

Phone: 07 4035 4390

The part of the tree I reversed into

Good day trip from Cairns if you are looking for a more active time.

Ocean trampoline, snorkeling, glass bottom boat ride, sea kayak and surf ski all available. There are a few walks, the main one is from the jetty through a camp ground to the now unused lighthouse and then you can walk up to the summit which is about 300m above sea level.

This part of the road was constructed circa 1950, mostly by hand

We went on a very cloudy and windy day but it was still lots of fun, learnt a whole lot of new things about Australian flora and fauna. If you do head to Fitzroy Island and feel like relaxing a bit, bring a camping mat. All the beaches are about 50% coral and 50% sand so it can be a little bit uncomfortable to lie on.