<p>Cape York Adventures have been operating since 1996. Linking travellers from the mainland to the Torres Strait to immerse themselves with culture, tradition and rich history. They are based at the top of Cape York, in a Torres Strait islander community called Seisia. Offering 3 Island Tours, 2 Island Cultural Experiences, Private Fishing Charters, 4WD Tip Tours (Pajinka), 4WD Tours to Fruit Bat Falls, Twin Falls and Eliot Falls and more. With multiple vessels they can cater to any size group and occasion. .</p>

<p><b></p>
<p> Cycling past the Pilots Jetty<br />
</b></p>
<p>Ride past heritage buildings, visit our pioneering ancestors in the cemetery, go bird watching, stop for a dip in the public swimming pool or park the bikes and combine a BIKE and HIKE day activity on sections of the Scenic Rim walking trail.</p>
<p>Energetic riders can try a hill climb to reach the summit of Grassy Hill – the amazing 360 degree views are worth the sweat.</p>
<p>There are 3 interlinked cycle trails around Cooktown all of which have options for a <b>BIKE and HIKE</b> activity.</p>
<p>So why not combine your bike ride with a stroll through the cemetery or the Botanic Gardens, enjoy scenic coastal and beach walks or an take energetic hike up Mount Cook.</p>
<p>Pick up a Biking Trails brochure from the Cooktown Visitor Information Centre at Nature’s Powerhouse at the Botanic Gardens. </p>
<p><b>Regional Links to Cycling Clubs and Organisations:</b></p>
<p>Dan’s Mountain Bike Adventures –<b> </b><a href="http://www.dansmountainbiking.com.au" target="_blank">www.dansmountainbiking.com.au</a></p>
<p>Back Country Bliss Adventures – <a href="http://www.backcountryblissadventures.com.au/" target="_blank">www.backcountryblissadventures.com.au</a></p>
<p>All Trails Bicycle Tours – <a href="http://www.alltrails.com.au/alltrails-rides/item/26-cape-york-luxury-bike-tour-2011.html" target="_blank">www.alltrails.com.au</a></p>
<p>Raw Travel – <a href="http://rawtravel.com/trip/daintree_and_cape_york" target="_blank">http://rawtravel.com</a></p>
<p>Cairns Mountain Bike Club –<b> </b><a href="http://www.cairnsmtb.com" target="_blank">www.cairnsmtb.com</a></p>
<p>Cairns Cycling Club – <a href="http://www.cairns.cycling.org.au" target="_blank">www.cairns.cycling.org.au</a></p>
<p>Cairns Bicycle User Group – <a href="http://cairnsbug.org" target="_blank">http://cairnsbug.org</a></p>
<p>Cairns Crocs Triathlon Club – <a href="http://www.cairnscrocs.org.au" target="_blank">www.cairnscrocs.org.au</a></p>
<p>Rural, Rainforest and Reef (RRR) Endurance MTB Event – <a href="http://www.usmevents.com.au/Triathlon___Multi_Sport/Challenge_Cairns/Event_Guide/RRR_Mountain_Bike_Event.htm" target="_blank">www.usmevents.com.au</a></p>
<p>Far North Queensland Wilderness Bike Tour – <a href="http://www.fnqbiketour.org.au" target="_blank">www.fnqbiketour.org.au</a></p>
<p>Cairns to Karumba Bike Ride – <a href="http://www.ridefnq.com" target="_blank">www.ridefnq.com</a></p>
<p>Tableland Cycle Sports Inc – <a href="http://www.tablelandcyclesports.com" target="_blank">www.tablelandcyclesports.com</a></p>
<p>Tablelands Rail Trails – <a href="http://www.railtrails.org.au" target="_blank">www.railtrails.org.au</a></p>
<p>Tableland Adventure Guides – <a href="http://www.tablelandadventureguides.com.au" target="_blank">www.tablelandadventureguides.com.au</a></p>
<p>Cycling Far North – <a href="http://cyclingfarnorth.com" target="_blank">http://cyclingfarnorth.com</a></p>
<p>Bicycle Queensland – <a href="http://www.bq.org.au" target="_blank">www.bq.org.au</a></p>

<p>Keatings Lagoon Conservation Park is 8 kilometres south of Cooktown. This natural freshwater lagoon traps and holds wet season run-off and creates an ideal habitat for wetland vegetation, which provide abundant food for animals and migratory water birds. The lagoon is at the upper limit of tidal Meldrum Creek. This seasonal wetland is often completely dry during the winter and early summer months.</p>
<p>For thousands of years the Gungarde Aboriginal people have utilised the lagoon’s natural resources for food, medicine and utilitarian purposes. Their traditional name for the wetland area is Mulbabidgee.</p>
<p>Turn off the Developmental Road onto Hutchinson Street where signs indicate the entrance to the Keatings Lagoon carpark. Cross the wooden boardwalk to access the walk. This 390 metre path leads to a bird-hide and a picnic area. It follows the edge of the lagoon, passing through melaleuca forest  (some of the trees beside the path are numbered and named).</p>
<p>The bird-hide offers unobstructed views of the lagoon and a bird identification chart is provided. The picnic area at the end of the path is about 300 metres north of the bird hide. Due to the large body of still water the mosquitoes can be quite bad, so take insect repellent.</p>
<p><b>Difficulty Level:</b> Easy</p>
<p><b>Distance:</b> 390 metre</p>
<p><b>Duration:</b> 20 Minutes (return)</p>
<p><b>Access:</b> Self Guided</p>
<p><b>Facilities:</b> Bird hide, interpretive information, picnic area and car park.</p>
<p><b>Trail Management Contact:</b>Cooktown office of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, tel: (07) 4069 5777</p>
<p> Map of walking trail at Keating’s Lagoon courtesy Footloose publications</p>

<p>The Jardine River National Park together with Heathlands and Jardine River Resources Reserve are located 800 km north of Cairns off the historic Telegraph Road. Access is 4WD only in the dry season May-November.</p>
<p>There are short walking trails to visit the crystal clear waterfalls at Eliot Falls and Fruit Bat Falls and remote beaches at Captain Billy Landing.</p>
<p>Fishing is allowed in the Jardine River and it’s tributaries throughout the parks.</p>
<p>Camping is permitted at Eliot Falls, Captain Billy Landing and along the Jardine river.</p>

<h3>Day 1. Cooktown Orientation</h3>
<p>Start with a visit to the <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/go/cooktown/naturespowerhouse" title="Nature&apos;s Powerhouse Cooktown Botanic Gardens">Botanic Gardens and Nature’s Powerhouse</a> which houses the Charles Tanner Wildlife of Cape York Exhibition and Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery.</p>
<p>There are several walks in the Botanic Gardens and also trails which lead to the beautiful beaches at Finch Bay and Cherry Tree Bay.</p>
<p>In the afternoon take a leisurely stroll in the footsteps of Captain Cook along Charlotte Street to orientate yourself and admire the historical buildings and sites.</p>
<p>Children can be entertained by the Musical Ship and children’s playground at the waterfront, and several cafes along Charlotte Street and at the wharf offer refreshments.</p>
<p>Allow plenty of time for a visit to the world-class <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/museums/cooktown-museum" target="_self">Cooktown Museum</a>, with its fantastic displays which include the anchor and cannon from the HMS Bark Endeavour, and the story of Cook’s arrival from the perspective of the Guugu Yimithirr people.</p>
<p>End the day on <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/go/cooktown/grassy-hill" title="Grassy Hill">Grassy Hill,</a> with its panoramic views and superb sunset vistas.</p>
<h3>Day 2. Hopevale Nugal-warra Rock Art Tour and Elim Beach<b><br /></b></h3>
<p> Aboriginal tours</p>
<p>Just 45 mins from Cooktown, outside Hopevale, are the incredible <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/tours/local-tours" title="Guurrbi Tours">Nugal-warra rock art sites</a>, which can be visited with Nugal-warra Elder Willie Gordon, whose tours are deservedly featured as One of Australia’s Must-Do Experiences, and not to be missed when staying in Cooktown.</p>
<p>The nearby community of <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/history/aboriginalculturehopevale" title="Aboriginal Culture - Hope Vale & Elim Beach">Hope Vale</a> has an Arts and Cultural Centre which supports local artists, and the magnificent Coloured Sands at <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/go/hopevale/index" title="Hope Vale and Elim Beach">Elim Beach</a> are well worth a visit (4wd only).  <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/waterfalls/index" title="Waterfalls">Isabella Falls</a><b><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/waterfalls/index" title="Waterfalls"> </a></b>is a great place for a picnic and a swim.</p>
<h3>Day 3. Go Fishing/Boating</h3>
<p> Cooktown fishing</p>
<p>Cooktown is famous as a world class fishing destination – join those in the know who come from all corners of the globe to experience sports fishing at its best. A few hours on the water is a relaxing trip and one of the best ways to appreciate the stunning natural surroundings from a different perspective.</p>
<p>Whether you take a guided trip with one of several fishing companies<b> </b>in town, hire a dinghy for the day, or bring your own boat, the fishing is a great experience for the whole family.</p>
<p>Alternatively take a nature boat cruise on the Endeavour River crocodile spotting, bird watching and casting a casual line for the estuarine fish.</p>
<h3>Day 4. And so much more to choose from!<b><br /></b></h3>
<p> Rainforest walk</p>
<p>Also to be considered are <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/tours/local-tours/hiddenvalleytrailrides">horse riding trails</a>, farmstays, hiking up <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/walks/mountcook">Mount Cook</a>, a visit to the mysterious <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/np/black-mountain-national-park" title="Black Mountain National Park, (Kalkajaka N.P.)">Black Mountain National Park</a> and birdwatching at <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/walks/keatings-lagoon-walk" title="Keatings Lagoon (Mulbabidgee) Walk">Keatings Lagoon</a>.</p>
<p>Visitors are very welcome to a <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/sports/cooktown-golf" title="Cooktown Golf Links">round of golf</a><b><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/sports/cooktown-golf" title="Cooktown Golf Links"> </a></b>at the picturesque links course at Walker Bay, or you can enjoy a game of bowls at <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/sports/bowls" title="Cooktown Bowls Club">Cooktown’s Bowls Club</a>.</p>
<p>Take the kids to our beautiful beaches at Finch Bay, Cherry Tree Bay, Quarantine Bay and Walker Bay but swimming is not advised.</p>
<p>More options include <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/walks/scenic-rim-walking-trail" title="Scenic Rim Walking Trail">The Scenic Rim</a> walking trail, fishing on the Annan river or from the wharf – or simply enjoying a ‘coldie’ with the locals in one of the pubs.</p>
<p>You could take one of the suggested <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/self-drive/index" title="Self Drive Cooktown and Cape York Peninsula">self-drive itineraries</a><b>.</b> Or if you haven’t already done so, head off to explore the Wet Tropics<b> </b>on Cooktown’s doorstep. There are several waterfalls and swimming holes in the nearby vicinity.</p>
<p>Hike up to the <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/walks/homerulefalls">Home Rule</a> waterfalls or walk one of the trails around the Mungumby Valley which offer superb bird watching. Seek the elusive Bennett’s Tree Climbing Kangaroo at Shipton Flats, or for experienced bushwalkers go hiking in the incredible <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/np/cedar-bay" title="Cedar Bay National Park">Cedar Bay National Park</a>.</p>
<p>No trip to the area is complete without a visit to the historic <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/stay/rainforestcoast/lionsden" title="The Lions Den Hotel">Lions Den Hotel</a> in Helenvale, and there are a couple of <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/stay/rainforestcoast/mungumby">rainforest retreats</a> in the region for an overnight stay.</p>

<p>Rinyirru (Lakefield) is of considerable Aboriginal cultural significance, and the park has many places associated with occupation, ceremonies and ancestral spirits. Hann Crossing and Kalpowar Crossing are two such significant sites.</p>
<p>The Park is located in the Laura Basin 6-7 hours north of Cairns. There are several access points: via Laura and the Peninsula Development Road; from Cooktown along Battle Camp Road; on the Lakeland-Laura Road, or from Coen via the Musgrave Roadhouse. Access is only during the dry season, normally May to November, but early or late rains might render some of the tracks impassable. 4WD is highly recommended.</p>
<p>Fishing is permitted at all camping grounds with barramundi and catfish the most common species caught. Boat tours and hire are not available, but you are welcome to bring your own boat.</p>
<p> Kalpowar Crossing Camping Lakefield National Park. Courtesy of Tourism Queensland</p>
<p>There are bush camping areas at 12 Mile Waterhole, Old Faithful Waterhole, Mick Fienn and Dingo Waterholes, Kalpowar Crossing Campground, 7 Mile Waterhole and  Hann Crossing. Camping is no longer via self-registration; you now need to register either online, at a QPWS office, or by phone. Visit the <a href="http://nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/rinyirru-lakefield/camping.html#all_camping_must_now_be">Parks web site</a> for further information.</p>

<p>The Lizard Island group lies midway between the coast and the outer barrier reefs on the edge of the continental shelf.</p>
<p> Lizard Island, Queensland. Courtesy of Tourism Queensland</p>
<p>Lizard the main island has several sheltered sandy beaches with easy access to the coral and clam gardens. The islands are rich in cultural meaning for the Dingaal Aboriginal people who have lived in the area for tens of thousands of years, and also contain important European heritage sites.</p>
<p>Lizard Island was declared a National Park in 1939 and the other islands were added in 1987. The reef and waters surrounding Lizard Island are protected within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and GBR World Heritage Area.</p>
<p>Watson’s Bay is a popular snorkeling site with famed clam gardens and a unique abundance and diversity of solitary corals. The edge of the continental shelf lies just 20km to the east of Lizard Island and the sports fishing from Lizard is world class with 1000lb black marlin frequently caught.</p>
<p>Rising to 395 m above sea level, Cook’s Look provides stunning views of the surrounding reefs and there are several other walking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.</p>
<p> Cook’s Look, Lizard Island, Queensland. Courtesy of Tourism Queensland</p>
<p>Lizard Island has a tropical climate with a wet season from December-April and best time to visit is May-November</p>
<p>There is a <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/stay/cape-york-peninsula/lizard-island">5 star resort</a> on Lizard Island and bush camping is permitted in Watson’s Bay on Lizard Island and permits must be obtained in advance.</p>
<p>Commercial airlines provide regular flights from Cairns and charter flights are available from Cairns and Cooktown. Private aircraft may land with permission from the resort.<br />Commercial charter vessels depart from Cairns, Port Douglas and Cooktown for Lizard Island.</p>

<p>A steep 2 km walking trail starts from Ida Street in Cooktown to the Waymbuur lookout offering scenic views over the Great Barrier Reef.</p>
<p>A further 1 km hike leads you to the summit.</p>

<p>Located 10-12 hours north of Cairns through Coen to the Rokeby turnoff.</p>
<p>Access by 4WD only in the dry season May-November.</p>
<p>It stretches from the McIlwraith Range foothills and is bounded by the Archer and Coen Rivers.</p>
<p>There is rewarding bird watching  around the water-lily covered lagoons and rivers and the common spotted cuscus can be found in the rainforest.</p>
<p>Bush camping is permitted at several secluded campsites and fishing and boating is allowed.</p>