For non-locals, those flying into Cairns then driving to Cooktown, the
following may assist. Cooktown is 326 km from Cairns. It is a four hour
drive on bitumen roads via Mareeba, Mt Malloy, Mt Carbine, Palmer River and
Lakeland Downs. Food and accommodation is available at all those places. It
is recommended not to drive the Mt Carbine / Cooktown stretch at night
because of cattle and roos. Going up we encountered 500 - 1,000 cattle on
the road and had to zigzag through them. Luckily, far fewer in the rain
coming back next day but one had been killed on the road. Just drive slowly
through them, do not honk your horn as this can spook them. You could be
delayed by flood waters but this is likely to be hours rather than days. The
road was sealed 18 months ago but hire car companies seem not to know so if
told you are heading there, may not give permission for vehicle to be taken
to Cooktown.
One can also fly in to Cooktown. So far the bird has been found within ten
minutes of arriving but I had to wait 30 - 40 minutes to see it closely.
When I arrived it was a km away on the other side of the river bathing and
preening near or on a sandbank needing
a scope to ID it.
If floods have subsided and if making the trip in your own 4WD, have time to
spare and wish to add a bonus bird for your trip, you could ask Martin
Cachard of Cairns Bird Observers for directions to a new site he has
discovered which has a substantial population of Black-winged Monarch just
50 km north of Cooktown.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
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