<p>Willie takes you to his ancestral rock art sites, high in the hills outside Cooktown. Here he shares the stories behind the art, and explains how the paintings speak of the essence of life and the lores of his people. With his great smile and infectious laugh, Willie will give you an amazing insight into Aboriginal society and spirituality, and show you how we all have a connection to the land, wherever we come from.</p>

<p>Listen and learn as your host Gerry introduces you to Nature’s Storehouse. Take a step back in time with your hostess Irene as she relates what it was really like growing up an Aboriginal under missionary rule. Maaramaka Walkabout Tours endeavours to preserve the knowledge of the flora and fauna found within Nature’s Storehouse – the bush and rainforest including the sand dunes. <br /> Gerry has a wealth of knowledge with regards to the many species of plants and trees to be found in our Rainforests and bushland.</p>
<p><b>Ph: (07) 4069 5381 or (07) 4060 9389</p>
<p></b></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>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>

<h2>Opening Hours</h2>
<ul>
<li>Cooktown Botanic Gardens are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year</li>
<li>The surrounding Gallop Botanic Reserve is also open all year round but best visited during daylight hours</li>
<li>Nature’s Powerhouse – the botanic gardens’ art gallery, Visitor Information Centre and café is open 8.30am – 4.00pm daily (except on Monday and Tuesday 8.30am – 3.00pm)</li>
<li>Admission is free</li>
</ul>
<h2></h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Location</h2>
<ul>
<li>Walker Street, Cooktown – 1.5km from town </li>
<li>The carpark is located adjacent Walker St next to the Gardens’ entrance</li>
<li>A disabled carpark is located next to Nature’s Powerhouse</li>
<li>View a <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/plants/CooktownBotanicGardensMap2022.pdf" target="_blank">map</a> of the gardens</li>
</ul>
<h2>Discover the Gardens</h2>
<p>Cooktown Botanic Gardens house five major plant collections:</p>
<ul>
<li>species traditionally used by the local Aboriginal people</li>
<li>species collected by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander in 1770</li>
<li>specimens provided by the Queensland Acclimatisation Society and planted in the gardens in the 19th century</li>
<li>species painted by local artist Vera Scarth-Johnson</li>
<li>species of rare and threatened plants of the shire</li>
</ul>
<p>The gardens also have:</p>
<ul>
<li>a palmetum, featuring tropical palms</li>
<li>a rainforest garden</li>
<li>a bush tucker garden</li>
<li>a heath garden</li>
<li>a water lily pond</li>
</ul>
<p> A map of the plant collections within the gardens can be found<a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/plants/CooktownBotanicGardensMap2022.pdf" target="_blank"> here</a></p>
<h2>Nature’s Powerhouse</h2>
<p>The Nature’s Powerhouse facility, located in the Botanic Gardens, features the Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery, Exhibition Space, Gardens’ Shop, Café and the Cooktown Visitor Information Centre. The Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery displays a collection of original botanical illustrations of flora from the region, painted by Vera Scarth-Johnson. You may also find prints of Joseph Banks Florilegium in there. Many plants displayed in the Gallery can be found in the adjoining Botanic Gardens. More information can be found <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/go/cooktown/naturespowerhouse" target="_self">here</a>.</p>
<h2>Gallop Botanic Reserve</h2>
<p>The 62 hectare Gallop Botanic Reserve comprises high spurs of large granite boulders, bounded to the east by a granite headland with indigenous vegetation extending to the ocean and beaches at Finch Bay and Cherry Tree Bay. A walking trail within the Reserve links Grassy Hill with the Botanic Gardens via both Cherry Tree Bay and Finch Bay. A branch trail leads to two old quarries where there is still evidence of hand-quarrying. The granite blocks that were cut from these two quarries were used to kerb and channel the streets of Cooktown. More information on the Cooktown Scenic Rim Walking Trails can be found <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/cooktown_region/walking%20trails" target="_blank">here</a></p>
<h2>Birds of the Gardens</h2>
<h2></h2>
<p>More than 200 bird species have been recorded in the Botanic Gardens and Gallop Botanic Reserve. Many of the species are seasonal, so the birds that you find here will vary throughout the year. A list of the birds most commonly recorded in the Gardens is available <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/cooktown_region/BotanicGardensandGallopBotanicReserveBirdListAugust2025.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>

<p>Ribbon Reefs, Queensland. Courtesy of Tourism Queensland</p>
<p>Stretching 2,300 km along the coast from the tip of Cape York to Bundaberg, the Great Barrier reef is a vast wilderness area. Covering 348,000 sq km it was Queensland’s first World Heritage area, and is the largest coral reef system in the world.</p>
<p>With the northern section isolated from cities, large towns and major agricultural areas, the reef is at its most pristine in this region, and home to more than 1,500 brilliantly coloured species of tropical fish, 4,000 species of molluscs, 400 species of sponges and 300 species of corals.</p>
<p>Cooktown is the closest port to the Reef and a short boat trip takes visitors to spectacular snorkelling around some of the most pristine coral reefs, cays and islands. This is fabulous habitat for dugongs who breed and feed along the sea grass beds in the sheltered bays. Turtles re-visit the deserted beaches to lay their eggs each breeding season and majestic whales pass through the inner reefs when migrating to the warm northern waters.</p>
<p>Lizard Island, part of the Great Barrier Reef National Park, is 90 kms north-east of Cooktown, and considered one of the world’s best snorkelling and diving destinations. The island also boasts excellent research facilities particularly focussed on coral reefs and climate research.</p>
<p>Exclusive Lizard Island resort is located on the southern end of the island, while the National Park offers delightful sites for a limited number of campers who must be totally self-sufficient. Campsite availability and bookings can be made online or at the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Office on the waterfront in Cooktown.</p>
<p>For all information contact the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on: 1800 990 177, visit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park website: <strong><a href="http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/" target="_blank">www.gbrmpa.gov.au</a></strong>, or talk to local Rangers on (07) 4069 5777.</p>

<h3>Endeavour Falls</h3>
<p> Endeavour Falls</p>
<p>32 kms north of Cooktown, on mostly bitumen road, this relaxing spot is on the Endeavour River and is accessed at the Endeavour Falls Tourist Park. The owners of the store and caravan park welcome visitors to view the Falls but please drop in to the shop and let them know you are visiting. 2WD accessible. No swimming.</p>
<h3>Isabella Falls</h3>
<p>Continue past the Endeavour Falls Tourist Park towards Hope Vale, turning left onto Battlecamp Road (well signposted). Several kilometres down this road is Isabella Falls and there is a safe swimming hole.</p>
<p> Trevethan Falls</p>
<h3>Trevethan Falls</h3>
<p>These impressive cascading falls plunge into an idyllic swimming hole and the stream continues down to a succession of private swimming pools closer to the parking area. Take the Amos Bay turn off the Mulligan Highway, 13.5 kms south of Cooktown. 4WD is recommended. </p>
<h3>Home Rule Falls</h3>
<p> Home Rule Falls </p>
<p>Heading south towards Bloomfield, turn off to the left at Rossville and take the pretty drive to Home Rule, the home of the annual Wallaby Creek Festival. Visitors are welcomed to the beautiful camp ground, and invited to walk to the spectacular falls and swim in the river.</p>
<h3>Bloomfield Falls</h3>
<p>Visitors can experience the magnificent Bloomfield Falls on a guided tour with one of the local clans who share their Yalanji culture as they walk over their ancestral lands. The waterfalls and river are the lifeblood of the local people and their stories tell how man and nature connect at this sacred site.</p>
<h3>Cape York Waterfalls</h3>
<p>When travelling north don’t miss the chance to swim at Fruit Bat Falls and Eliott Falls in <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/np/jardine-river">Jardine National Park</a> and Heathlands Resources Reserve.</p>
<p>BEFORE SWIMMING ANYWHERE, BE SURE TO GET UP-TO-THE-MINUTE LOCAL INFORMATION.</p>
<p>Crocodiles can be found around many rivers, freshwater creeks and waterholes and along coastal beaches.</p>
<p>Don’t swim after dusk or early in the morning.</p>

<h3>Daintree Explorer Trail Itinerary Summary</h3>
<p><a href="#day1">DAY 1. Mossman-Cape Tribulation. 62 km, approx 2 hrs 15 mins</a></p>
<p><a href="#day2">DAY 2. Cape Tribulation-Cooktown. 100 km, approx 3 hrs</a></p>
<p><a href="#day3">DAY 3. Cooktown-Mossman. 255 km, approx 3 hrs 45 mins.</a></p>
<p><strong>TOTAL 417 km, approx 9 hrs</strong></p>
<p> Flightless Cassowary. Courtesy of Tourism Queensland</p>
<h3>DAY 1. Mossman to Cape Tribulation<strong>.</strong></h3>
<p>Road Conditions sealed.</p>
<p>Take the signposted turnoff in Mossman and drive 6km to Mossman Gorge. The gorge is the traditional home of the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people. Take a cultural tour and visit the art gallery at Mossman Gorge to learn more about their unique Rainforest Aboriginal culture.</p>
<p>Nearby Cooya Beach is the first stop along <a href="http://bamawayaboriginaltours.com/" target="_blank">The Bama Way – an Aboriginal Journey </a>along story-lines, through coastal mangroves, rich rainforest and hilltop Savannah. Take the Aboriginal-owned tours along the way for a wonderful insight into different facets of Aboriginal culture.</p>
<p>From Mossman it is just a short 25km drive along the Mossman Daintree Road to the Daintree River vehicle ferry, which operates continuous transfers across the river (cost applies).Visit Daintree Village,  just a few kilometres further up the road from the ferry crossing. This historic village on the Daintree River is popular for wildlife spotting, river cruises, guided rainforest walks, scenic valley drives, galleries and restaurants.</p>
<p>Along the way, why not take the scenic route and visit Wonga Beach. At the entrance to the Daintree Valley Wonga Beach stretches from the Rocky Point, at the southern access of the Captain Cook Highway to the Daintree River in the north. Wonga Beach is easily accessible and is often overlooked by tourists.</p>
<p>After the ferry crossing, look for the sign to Alexandra Range Lookout. This is a good place to take a short break and enjoy views overlooking the Daintree River mouth, offshore islands and along the coast to Port Douglas and Cairns.</p>
<p>The Daintree Coast is a small part of the Kuku Yalanji tribal area and has great spiritual and cultural significance for these people. Their stories, songs and dances continue to give special meaning to the landscape. There are numerous boardwalks, educational centres, river cruises, crocodile spotting and adventure activities.</p>
<p>Daintree and Cape Tribulation have many resorts, lodges and backpacker hostels, both tucked away in the rainforest and close to the beach – so soak up the Daintree atmosphere and stay a day or two.</p>
<h3>DAY 2. Cape Tribulation to Cooktown</h3>
<p>Road Conditions: Unsealed suitable for 4WD only.</p>
<p>From Cape Tribulation you will be travelling along the coastal road to Cooktown.</p>
<p> Bloomfield river</p>
<p>The Bloomfield Track provides 4WD access from Cape Tribulation to just south of the Bloomfield River where it connects with the existing road to the township of Ayton and onto the Mulligan Highway leading to Cooktown. You will pass by Wujal Wujal Aboriginal community, Cedar Bay National Park, Black Mountain National Park and Keating’s Lagoon before arriving in Cooktown for the night.</p>
<p>For a touch of authentic Australiana stop off at the Lion’s Den Hotel, an old Australian pub, for lunch, and then continue through to visit the majestic Black Mountain.</p>
<h3>DAY 3. Cooktown to Mossman.</h3>
<p>Road Conditions sealed</p>
<p>From Cooktown, follow the Mulligan Highway to the tiny township of Lakeland Downs, in the heart of the Laura River Valley. This is now a major coffee and banana growing region.</p>
<p>Less than an hour’s drive further south you will find the Palmer River Roadhouse. As you look at the solitary Palmer River Roadhouse perched on the hill above the famous river it is hard to imagine that in the 1870s tens of thousands of miners flocked to this area searching for gold. Today all that is left of the Palmer River Goldfields are a few suggestions, and distant stories of where miners lived and dug. The publican at the roadhouse has a collection of related artefacts.</p>
<p>Enjoy sweeping panoramas of Cape York’s huge cattle stations from Bob’s Lookout on the Desailly Range.</p>
<p>While not obvious, the small township of Mt Molloy has an important connection to Palmer Goldfields and the development of North Queensland. It is here that James Venture Mulligan the founding father of the Palmer Goldfields, rests. His discovery of gold at Palmer River in 1872 sparked the gold rush and massive migration into North Queensland. You can stop and visit Mulligan’s headstone in the small cemetery south of town.</p>
<p>Turning left you will follow the Rex Range Road, as it snakes down the range to Mossman. Along the way you will pass through the tiny rainforest township of Julatten. The town has a big reputation among bird watchers. It is here that patient bird lovers have been known to spot up to 200 of the 370 native bird species resident in the Wet Tropics region.</p>
<p>The Great Tropical Drive is a self-drive route that will take you from Cairns and Townsville to some amazing places in Tropical Australia.</p>
<h3>Enjoy the whole Great Tropical Drive</h3>
<p>Follow the Great Tropical Drive for 12 days and 2079 kilometres to some of Australia’s best known attractions – the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Hinchinbrook Island and Undara Lava Tubes – and be prepared for many unexpected discoveries along the way.<br /> You can choose from 13 Discovery Trails – each one a unique itinerary that will give you a taste of Tropical Australia: from overnight drives onto the Tablelands, to week-long 4WD and campervan adventures into the goldfields.</p>
<p>The Great Tropical Drive passes through six unique regions of North Queensland: <br /> Cooktown, Port Douglas and Daintree, Cairns and Beaches, Mission Beach and the Cassowary Coast, Tropical Tablelands and Savannah Country, Townsville, Charters Towers and Hinchinbrook.</p>
<p>Information courtesy <a href="http://www.cairnsgreatbarrierreef.org.au/" target="_blank">Tourism Tropical North Queensland</a></p>