Driving tourists lured by the thrill
FOUR-WHEEL drive enthusiasts see the Bloomfield Track as one of the last unspoilt offroad adventures in the Far North.
They are opposed to sealing the remaining section of the coastal route, saying its twists, turns and creek crossings are a major tourism drawcard for the region.
Cairns 4WD Club president Andrew Denyer said if the road was fully-sealed, it would inevitably result in far more traffic between Cape Tribulation and Cooktown.
“It’s disappointing that this could happen,” he said.
“This will just get a lot more people into that environment.
“Every man and his dog will want to go up there, and do whatever they want to.
“It’ll be just the same as going up to the Cape – a lot of that’s sealed, now.”
He said with some of the Bloomfield already sealed, it would be inevitable that the remainder of the road would have bitumen laid on it.
Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree chief executive Tara Bennett described the Bloomfield Track as an iconic fourwheel drive adventure.
She said it was important that the track was preserved for this aspect, but acknowledged the needs of the com- munities that relied upon it as a major transport corridor.
“It's probably one of the most accessible four-wheel drive trips in North Queensland,” she said.
“Certainly, we know that the growing drive market are looking to feel like adventurers.
“But we also do understand the need for Wujal Wujal, in particular, to have better road access for the community, and the desire of the Cook Shire to develop the coastal and then inland route as a day or overnight trip out of Cairns.”