There was great relief to tourist operators in Cape Tribulation last month when it was announced that the road in was to be re-opened again to travellers.
However, not everyone in north Queensland has had such good fortune.
Back in December last year, following Cyclone Jasper, three metres of rain fell in the north Queensland area within a week, causing flooding, landslips and serious road damage.
Douglas Shire Council finally re-opened Noah Range on the Cape Tribulation Rd to tourists last Thursday, although it will remain under traffic management from 6am-7.30pm daily, for vehicles no longer than 12.5 metres, whether towing a trailer, campervan, or caravan.
There has been plenty of rain in the Daintree. PIC: Paislie / Pixabay
The news was greeted with jubilation and relief by those reliant on the tourist trade for their livelihood, like Julian and Jackie Pagani, who run Cape Tribulation Camping. They said they had three months with no income and no trade and couldn’t wait to greet travellers again.
The outlook is not so bright elsewhere in the region though. The iconic Bloomfield Track remain closed, and appears likely to remain so for the rest of the year.
Douglas Shire Council says the road will remain shut to the public until further notice. It says the track is subject to seasonal flooding, slips, loss of traction, potholes and fallen trees.
When Tropical Cyclone Jasper first hit, Bloomfield Cabins and Camping was flooded but the infrastructure itself was not heavily impacted.
Owners Kat Hewitt and Yogi Noble, who are heavily reliant in the travellers on the Bloomfield Track, were keenly aware that the washed-out route could have left them facing financial catastrophe.
Having opened their doors to the many Bloomfield, Ayton and Wujal Wujal residents who had lost their homes and had nowhere else to go in the immediate aftermath of Cyclone Jasper, Kat and Yogi have now decided to rent out the property to the Department of Housing to provide accommodation to residents while they work on getting them into new homes.
“They’ve rented the whole property with their own management for at least three months, potentially four, while they do that,” Kat told Cape York News. “Our business is 75% based on the Bloomfield Track … with no track, we were pretty much looking at bankruptcy, and I know we’re not the only ones.”
By handing over the reins to the State Government, Kat said they were able to continue helping the community while keeping themselves afloat.
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The track is fantastic and feel very fortunate to travel last September through there beautiful area
Went with my aged mum on a bus tour. Great day and great trip even though the road was rough and full of potholes. Stopped at a pub for lunch, and drove back to cairns on highway past the black hills. Never forget it and every time i think of mum who has since died i get a huge smile on my face and remember the exceptional day and experience we had together.
Great experience and great people. Much sympathy for anyone who relies on tourist traffic.
We won’t forget the great food we had at the Cabins and Camping site last year. Hope they get back on their feet again soon.
We did it on a tour.
It was really great.
In July last year we stayed at Bloomfield caravan park and did a return day trip on Bloomfield track.
So pleased we did. Also enjoyed night’s stay at Lions Den Hotel. Our bucket list …. tick, tick.