Bloomfield Track Tropical Shakedown

An alternative coastal route from Cooktown to Cape Tribulation runs through rainforest via the 4WD only Bloomfield Track. From the indigenous village of Wujal Wujal, say it twice because it's so nice, we hit the dirt road hillclimb for the start of the Bloomfield Track. We are passed by a ute towing an enormous offroad caravan and can only wonder how the rig managed the near 90 degree turn on a 30 degree uphill climb we encountered next.

Our Coaster engine works hard through low range 4wd as we cross three mountain ranges. We ascend steep windy sections of road, pocked with potholes and corrugations, then descend with our exhaust brake doing a brilliant job of controlling speed.

Inside, the contents and the occupants are kangarooing as the suspension tosses around anything not locked or tied down.

The end of the 4wd section is a shallow river crossing at Emmagen Creek.

Emmagen Creek is a beautiful, shady river flowing through a deep, clear, swimming hole fringed with an amazing exposed roots system. We get there on a short forest walk past the overhead chirruping of a metallic starling colony.

Our journey ends at lovely Cape Tribulation Camping by the beach where we witness an awesome sunrise illuminating the vineclad nearby rainforest.