South to Cairns

Back tracking south towards Cairns, we stopped at Bativa Gold fields and camped next to the Wenlock River. 

The next day we went through quarantine just south of Coen, which was easier than I expected I just showed them our fruit & vegetables box, all wrapped in newspapers and covered with a potato sack to keep them cool, dry and prevent sweating, and that was it, on your way, no search, nothing confiscated.  I think they were looking for things like fresh mangoes (out of season), that could carry disease down from the islands to Australia's commercial crops further south.

Wenlock River at Bativa gold fields

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On down to Musgrave Road House, leaving a trail of slowly dripping petrol, where we stopped for fuel, only 50litres at a time to keep it below the leak, and a hot (cold) shower.  A family we had met couple times along the road borrowed my socket set to fix there exhaust that had rattled loose along the way, in exchange for a Bundy can each, so two cans for James, he was very happy we packed the socket set under his seat.  Found a free camp just south of Musgrave  at Morehead River, thanks again to Wikicamps, most of the camps we just find / pull up  randomly and are not on any map.  

Bativa camp under the mango trees.

It was a nice quiet camp, until kangaroos came hopping and  thumping through our camp at 2am, must of pitched in the midst of their highway. In the morning it was a straight shot south, it wasn't long before we hit the tar seal, that nearly puts you to sleep after the exciting rough dirt roads but everyone including the Challenger appreciated the smooth ride.  Stopping at Split-Rock Art just south of Laura for lunch and to explore the caves and rock art paintings.

Flying fox rock art site 

It was a nice walk part way up the hill to a couple different caves and rock art sites with a lot of paintings and descriptions of what they meant. I don't feel it's quite right to post pictures of them on here, I even hesitated to take photos, you must visit them for your self.
After a while relaxing and taking in the magic of this place we walked up the hill further, past another 'no entry' sign and up through more caves and rocky outcrops to the top of rocky plateau. Looking out over a vast  primeval valley, unchanged for 40,000 years, no sign of man's footprint, it was as if we had travelled back in time.

Split rock, rock art at Laura

Barra soup

On down the main rd to Mt Molloy, and down the hill towards Port Douglas, stopped at my favourite fruit shop again, fresh cheap bananas, dried bananas, lots of fruit & veges. We found a track leading off the road into the rain forest, it was the power line maintenance track,  camped under power lines overlooking the valley, Mossman & Port Douglas, it was a nice view.  Pitched a camp, and had Barra head soup for dinner, cooked in coconut milk with veges & a sprinkle of cumin, there was plenty of meat still on the Barra frame.

Camp in the rain forest above Port Douglas

 In the morning we carried on down to Port Douglas storage, to pick up tools oh no not more stuff to fit in somewhere. Down to cairns and camp at Trinity Beach, which was scheduled to be closed for remodelling. We will need a new camp soon.

Sunrise in the rain forest

Old time steam Engines

Steam engine wreck

Giant termite mound overtaking an old tank 

Termite mounds looks like a grave yard & tombstones all lined up the same direction. 

Primeval ancient valley, no sign on modern man. 

Good view all round 

Ruined by the road south