35 Sqn Freedom of the City - Cooktown FNQ.

6th August 2016.

The date for the “Freedom of Entry” Parade in Cooktown has been confirmed by the RAAF as the 6^th August, 2016.

We have several names indicating they will attend and early next year I will publish the list of names so you can see who is going and perhaps make some plans together.

Accommodation in Cooktown is a bit restricted and with a bunch of RAAF people going, we think the availability of rooms will be stretched – so, if you are thinking of going, it’s probably a good idea to make some bookings early.

Andrea and I have booked into the Sovereign Resort (www.sovereignresort.com.au) which is in the heart of Cooktown but there is other accommodation and you can see what’s available HERE. 35 Squadron have booked some rooms in the sovereign resort already.

You can access the Tourist Centre HERE where you’ll find what’s available when and where and you can check accommodation availability here too.

We haven’t confirmed any travel arrangements yet (from Brisbane to and back from Cooktown) but I have chased up the availability of a bus and the cheapest quote I can get is approximately $13,000. With 50 passengers that would be $260 per person. The bus would take 22 hours each way which means there would be one night’s accommodation required each way, so you would need to factor that into your costing.

An alternative is to fly to Cairns and hire a bus there. A five day bus hire would cost $6,200 ($124 per person).

The alternative is to fly from Brisbane to and from Cooktown. This costs about $230 per person each way, but then you’re up for car hire when you get there.

Another alternative is to drive up in convoy – more on this next year.

I don’t have 35 Squadron’s itinerary yet but I believe that after the parade they will be involved in some sort of community event, i.e. cricket, bowls could even be marbles (bring your own)

More next year.

Sambo

(The people's champion)