Sun, sweat and sand - the Croc Trophy

Crossing the Isabella Creek

The infamous Croc Trophy Mountain Bike Ride finished its 10 days of gruelling competition in Hope Vale and Cooktown on Thursday 27th October. Slated as the Hardest, Longest and most Adventurous Mountain Bike race in the World, it is organised by Austrian, Gerhard and his team. The Croc trophy has been competing in the Far North for 17 years but this was the first year they finished in Cooktown, having ridden across much of Cook Shire's rugged landscape.

After months of glorious sunshine, the Far North suddenly dumped a record breaking amount of rain over a week - just as the Croc Trophy riders were ready to leave Cairns. The first three days of the competition were muddy and difficult, resulting in swift changes to the route. Luckily the rain stopped and as the riders headed into Cook Shire the freshly washed countryside glistened green and the dust wasn't as bad as it could have been.

The country from Laura to Kalpower to Munberra and into Hope Vale is stunning and remote - these are traditional lands belonging to local Aboriginal Traditional owners and they use them for personal fishing and pig hunting mainly. There are a few shacks but certainly no amenities - just beautiful raw Australian bush.  Bush fires can rage at this time of year as the traditional burns take place before the wet to allow for timely germination of the plants and the riders kept a watch out as smoke rose to the north of their route.

Talking to some of the teams from Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand, I was intrigued by the fact that they had seen very little of the wildlife during their ride. No snakes or crocs - just a few bewildered cattle watching as they sped past. The support team numbered several 4wd's and many trucks that drove ahead each day to set up camp for the exhausted riders.  Water was important to carry as most of the rivers out here are home to both saltwater and freshwater crocs.

When the riders finally arrived in Hope Vale on the morning of the 27th October they were met by a glistening swimming pool which was a welcome site at the end of more than 1200 kms of mud and dust.

And you know the funny thing was that the 'Croc Trophy' awarded, was actually a wooden boomerang with an engraved plaque glued onto it. I would have thought that after all those miles and all that hardship, something with a bit more bite could have been handed out!

Winner - Jeroen Boelen, Nederlands

Sundays in Cooktown - Cape Bedford

Despite the terrifying weather warnings being splashed across the TV last weekend, and a deluge south of Cooktown, we were in the mood for a trip. Looking directly west from our verandah it looked promising so we thought we would risk it and head North of Cooktown to Cape Bedford.

We were blessed with the most glorious day as we drove over the white sand dunes to Elim Beach at Cape Bedford.  A beautiful beach, it sits at the southern end of the beach leading to Cape Flattery where silica is mined.  No-one else was around except for a tinny out in the bay doing a bit of fishing. After a sandwich and wander on the beach we too tried a bit of fishing off the shore while watching a hermit crab wander by.

Then we drove over more sand dunes to another one of the Cape Bedford beaches and again, apart from a few locals fishing, there was no-one around. In the distance we could see the elegant Mount Cook and the kids explored the beach for driftwood, sea shells and other things washed up by the sea.  It is still a magical thing to wander along a beautiful beach and find perfect Nautilus shells.

At the northern end of the beach was the site of the first Lutheran mission in the Cape Bedford area and we were shown the basic cave where the German Lutheran minister, known as Muni, lived for some years.  We met some friends and watched them bring in lots of trevally and perch.  The dog discovered the vagaries of swimming in the shallows when he came across a large mudcrab with very fast pincers!  Homeward bound sun kissed, tired and happy.

Cooktown - we are open for business!

Cooktown was one of the lucky Far North Queensland towns spared by Cyclone Yasi. It is also one of the most picturesque towns in Queensland, sitting at the foot of Mt Cook and overlooking the magnificent Endeavour River. 

Despite the fact that this is known as the ‘wet season’, Cooktown has a lot to offer and is open for business. The crystal creeks are full of fish, the birds are in abundance and you may even be lucky enough to spot the elusive Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo in its natural habitat.  With the Barramundi season open again, those with a passion for fishing will find Cooktown a wonderful place to ‘bag a barra’.

Cooktown provides something for everyone including a unique history that began in 1770 with Cook’s arrival and expanded 100 years later with the Palmer river gold rush. There are museums, traditional old pubs and an Historical society that houses a fascinating display from the early days. There are the exquisite Cooktown Botanical Gardens, home to the Cooktown Orchid, beaches, waterfalls and magnificent bushwalking trails.

For the adventurous there are fishing trips up rivers, a chance of croc spotting or visit some original Aboriginal rock art sites. Or simply relax, sit back and watch the sunset over the Endeavour River from Grassy Hill.

Come and explore the beauty of Cooktown, only 4 hrs from Cairns by car or 45 mins by plane. For more information go to www.cooktownandcapeyork.com or call the Visitor Information Centre 1800 174 895.