<p>The Walker women are committed to educating their guests who walk with them along the track to the Bloomfield Falls. As they travel over their ancestral land, they explain in a truly delightful way the lifestyle of the Yalanji people of Wujal Wujal.</p>
<p>What’s unique about this tour is guests are experiencing part of the family’s everyday lifestyle and their deep connection with the land.</p>
<p>Bloomfield Falls Tour – 30 mins tour departing daily year round.</p>
<p>Rainforest Walk – 2 hour tour departs daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. April to September</p>

<p>This is an easy 30 min return path walk of less than 1 km.</p>
<p>This is a place of great significance for the Kuku Yalanji people who have lived here for thousands of years, and although you can see the falls unaccompanied, the 30 minute tours offered by the <b>Walker Family</b>, traditional custodians of the area, will open your eyes to the surroundings and give you a better understanding of this beautiful area.</p>
<p><b>Guided Walk: </b></p>
<p><b>Wujal Wujal, With the Walker Family</b></p>
<p>The Walker Family, a close-knit group of wonderfully warm and friendly people, are members of the Kuku Yalanji clan who have lived in this area for tens of thousands of years. Their traditional lands are part of the beautiful World Heritage rainforest area, and encompass the Bloomfield Falls, after which Wujal Wujal is named. The Walkers will take you on a bush walk with a difference, giving you the opportunity to listen and talk to the traditional custodians of the area, and receive a fascinating insight into the history and the many different uses of plant species for food, medicine and ceremonial purposes. This is an opportunity to see the rainforest through their eyes, and to learn about the cultural significance of this area.</p>
<p><b>Bloomfield</b><b> Falls</b><b> Tour</b><br /> The Walkers share some of their knowledge about this special place which is of great cultural significance to the Yalanji people. 30 minute tours depart daily throughout the year. Departure times are flexible. The tour includes a short walk on uneven ground.</p>
<p>There is no access to the falls in the wet season.</p>
<p><b>Difficulty Level:</b> Easy</p>
<p><b>Distance:</b> 400 metre (return)</p>
<p><b>Duration:</b> 15 minutes (return)</p>
<p><b>Access:</b> Self Guided or Guided</p>
<p><b>Trail Management Contact:</b><i> </i>Wujal Wujal Shire Council</p>

<p>From the lodge, walk along the eastern edge of the dam, turn left and follow the dam wall to the hydro-electric generator shed, where a sign on the ground at the edge of the forest points the way to the falls. The distinct track follows a water pipeline to the falls. It is a gradual climb to an impressive three-tiered waterfall that plunges into a deep pool between gorge walls of vertical slate.</p>
<p><b>Specific Features: </b>Beautiful tropical rainforest with refreshing swimming opportunities</p>
<p><b> </b>Home Rule Rainforest Lodge has accommodation, meals and camping facilities with a fully equipped self-catering kitchen and coin laundry, situated in shady parkland beside Wallaby Creek.</p>
<p><b>Difficulty Level:</b> Moderate</p>
<p><b>Distance:</b> 2.6 Kilometre</p>
<p><b>Duration:</b> 1½ hours (return)</p>
<p><b>Access:</b> Self Guided – (Must register at Home Rule Rainforest Lodge)</p>
<p><b>Facilities:</b> No facilities (Accommodation and camping facilities at walk start)</p>
<p> Map of walking trail to Home Rule Falls courtesy Footloose publications</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>

<p>Courtesy Gone Fishing</p>
<p><b>Annan River</b></p>
<p>The Annan is situated 5 minutes south of Cooktown with a good boat ramp on the downside of the bridge.  Take care when navigating on a low tide as it is very shallow and rocky in places.  The Annan is a shorter estuarine system than the Endeavour and subtly different.  Barra fishing can be had up and down the river and out into the mouth at Walker Bay where some big saltwater barra can be had both on lures, fly and liveys.  Big jacks and fingermark are a common catch plus all your usual queenfish and trevally’s.  Good mud crabbing can be had especially after the first rains.  Upstream of the bridge extreme care should be taken, especially on low tide.  Some big deep holes and snags to fish; again liveys and lures can work well.  The mouth is sandy with the Esk river coming from the south and Saltwater creek from the north.    Generally runs a bit cleaner and warmer than the Endeavour.  Further information can be obtained from the Yuku Baja Muliku Ranger office</p>
<p><b>Archer Point</b></p>
<p>Following the road south out of Cooktown for 12 kms will bring you to the Archer Point turn off.  Follow the dirt road for a further 6 kms and you reach the beach where you can find some limited camping.  Beach launches are possible with a 4WD drive.  To get a good feel of the area go up to the lighthouse but hang on if it’s windy.  During the winter months there are frequent sightings of breaching humpback whales. With town so close for amenities this is an ideal spot to have that camping, fishing, and family experience. Visually, it’s fantastic, fringing reef, sand flats, small tributaries, the wet tropics. </p>
<p>More information can be sought from the traditional owners Yuku Baja Muliku (T: 07 4069 6910)</p>
<p><b>Tropical Islands</b></p>
<p> Hope Islands</p>
<p>Tropical Islands scatter this coastline and many are accessible by small boats when the weather allows.  Some like Lizard Island are big enough to house luxury resorts, airstrips and camp grounds whilst others are relatively small.  Camping is allowed on quite a few but booking in advance is necessary with QPWS.  Strict regulations are in place to protect these stunning locations and for further info contact GBRMPA/QPWS for zoning maps and camping restrictions.</p>
<p><b>Heli-fishing</b></p>
<p>Going in by chopper to that secret billabong, inaccessible headland or hard to access river mouth has to be one of the ultimate ways to travel and fish.  Getting there is usually very quick and spectacular, flying over dramatic escarpments, stunning rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.  Flooded bridges and corrugated roads are no longer a problem and multiple fishing locations are possible in one day.  This surely will ensure a very memorable experience of fishing far north Queensland.</p>
<p>Half day charters through to extended holidays are available with several local companies offering packages for that once in a lifetime trip.</p>
<p><b>Reef Fishing</b></p>
<p> Cod and Nanygai</p>
<p>Unlike many spots along the eastern seaboard of the Great Barrier Reef Cooktown is the closest town to this iconic world heritage site ensuring your fishing time is maximised and not spent travelling.  Inshore reefs lie just a couple of miles out and even though they are close shouldn’t be overlooked.  However, travelling 10-15 miles out will certainly open up a lot more possibilities.</p>
<p>Fishing the reef is fairly straightforward usually it’s a matter of working out which way the current is running onto the face of the reef, (pressure point) where the majority of predators and baitfish will be and dropping the anchor so that you hang close to these marks.  Baits such as pilchards and squid work very well but those anglers wishing to experiment with soft plastics and jigs can also be rewarded with a multitude of species.</p>
<p>If however you want to chase red emperor and nannigai then a different approach is needed.  These fish tend to school up in deeper water usually over rubble patches, raised areas or around old wrecks so whilst your trolling around for Spanish mackerel keep your eyes on the sounder and when you see some life mark it on the GPS and return later. If you are new to the area then nautical charts are great things to study and will give you enough clues to catching fish if you study them carefully.  Zoning maps can be obtained from GBRMPA.</p>
<p><b>Game Fishing</b></p>
<p> Courtesy Steve Ahlers</p>
<p>Whether you choose light or heavy tackle Cooktown with its close proximity to the reef and the continental shelf offers the angler a world class destination.  The variety of species on offer is outstanding especially when you consider how far you don’t have to travel to catch them.</p>
<p>From September to December the marlin fleet from across the globe, converge on far north Queensland.  Many choose Cooktown as their base, chasing the elusive 1000lb (Grander) black marlin and to fish the Annual Lizard Island Classic.  It is during these months that big female marlin with their attentive males, are brought down the currents on the outer reefs feeding on the ample bait supplies.  This provides the angler an opportunity to target these leviathans from the deep.</p>
<p><b>Key Species</b></p>
<p><b>River and Estuarine:</b> barramundi, mangrove jack, fingermark, tarpon, queenfish, trevally, salmon, cod, bream, grunter, flathead, jungle perch, sooty grunter.</p>
<p>Barramundi closed season; 1st November, midday – 1st February, midday.</p>
<p><b>Inshore/offshore: </b>marlin, sailfish, wahoo, mackerel, bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, coral trout, cod, red emperor, spangled emperor, sweetlip, fingermark, nannigai, queenfish, trevally, cobia,</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/fishinghopevale">Fishing near Hope Vale</a> – McIvor River and Cape Bedford</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/fishinglaura">Fishing near Laura</a> – Lakefield, Bathurst Bay, Bathurst Heads and Cape Melville</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/fishingrainforestcoast">Fishing in the Rainforest Coast</a> – Bloomfield River</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/cape-york-fishing">Fishing Cape York Peninsula</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/cooktown_region/fishing%20trails" target="_blank">Download</a> the Fishing and Birdwatching Brochure </p>
<h3>Fish with the local experts on a fishing charter:</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.fishingcooktown.com/" target="_blank">Gone Fishing</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.cooktownbarracharters.com/" target="_blank">Cooktown Barra Charters</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cooktownbluewatercharters.com.au/" target="_blank">Cooktown Bluewater Charters</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bungiehelicopters.com.au/" target="_blank">Bungi Helicopters – Heli Fishing</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://capeyorksafaris.com/" target="_blank">Saratoga Fishing and Hunting Adventures</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.bloomfieldescape.com.au/" target="_blank">Bloomfield Escape</a></li>
<li>For local advice, bait, tackle, rod and reel repairs – visit <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/tours/local-tours/thelureshop">The Lure Shop</a></li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Cape Bedford</strong></p>
<p> Fishermen at Elim Beach</p>
<p>Travelling north out of Cooktown harbour you pass Indian Head and Knob Point both worthy fishing spots.  About 12 nautical miles north from Cooktown is South Bedford, this location offers a good culmination of contours, inshore reef, wrecks and current lines coming together to form one great fishery. Trolling lures for Spanish mackerel, tuna, queenfish and big trevally can result in fast and furious action in this highly dynamic area; getting a feed shouldn’t be a problem.</p>
<p>A few miles further north takes you to North Bedford with its stunning perspective of the coloured sands and a view of the McIvor river mouth.  Plenty of inshore reef and a few wrecks to fish. Big barra and coral trout inhabit the rocks and are caught regularly on a variety of methods.  A fun method is to throw surface lures around for some truly spectacular hits.</p>
<p><strong>McIvor</strong><strong> River</strong></p>
<p> Courtesy Gone Fishing</p>
<p>Lies approx 20 nautical miles north of Cooktown; up and around Cape Bedford.  It takes about 1 hour by boat or 2 hours (approx 80km) from Cooktown by road to get to Morgan’s landing. You can camp and launch smaller boats at Morgan’s landing which is 8km off the main track. 4WD is necessary and launching on a low tide needs extreme caution.  Alternatively drive onto the Flattery beach, turning right for the river mouth, along the sandy beach until the very end where there are limited camping spots and small tinnies can be launched.  Access by road is not advised during the wet.  The McIvor is a truly unique fishery.  Coral reef lye just offshore; flats fishing possibilities abound at the mouth in the right weather.  Big sand dunes come down to the river inside the mouth, where lots of fun can be had with queenies and trevally on Poppers.  The river then twists its way up through the mangroves passing deep holes and snags, junctions, rock bars etc.  A saltwater resistant palm called Nypa dominates the mangroves in several places providing a jungle feel.  Fishing can be awesome with many methods working well on all your usual estuarine tropical fish.  Traversing the beach is best done on a low tide.  Certainly an area that’s unique and well worth an exploration.  It has it all for the 4WD, fishing and camping enthusiast, or for those that just want to get away.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/fishing">Fishing in Cooktown</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/fishinglaura">Fishing near Laura</a> – Lakefield N.P., Bathurst Bay, Bathurst Heads, Cape Melville</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/fishingrainforestcoast">Fishing in the Rainforest Coast</a> – Bloomfield River</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/cape-york-fishing">Fishing in Cape York Peninsula</a></p>
<p><strong>Fishing Tour Operators:</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/tours/local-tours/gonefishing">Gone Fishing</a></p>
<p><strong>Where to Stay:</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/stay/hopevale/elimbeachcampsite">Elim Beach Campsite</a></p>