<p>The Mount Cook walk is a strenuous climb. From the Hannan Drive carpark the trail enters a sheltered bushland gully and winds amongst granite boulders, following the mountains contours. The walk has been enhanced by constructing a track with granite steps that blend with the surroundings.</p>
<p>Shortly before the trail mounts the long spur to the summit, a short path on the right leads to a lookout with views over Cooktown. From the junction the summit trail zigzags up to a saddle where another short path leads to a lookout with coastal views. (All the lookouts on Mount Cook are on top of large boulders.)</p>
<p>The steepest section is the last few hundred metres to the summit. Boulders to the left of the track just before the tower have views. There is a clearing beneath the tower, but no views. </p>
<p>From the clearing two paths head east to boulder lookouts where there are spectacular views from Quarantine Bay to the mountains behind Cedar Bay.</p>
<p>The Great Barrier Reef may be a sail-ship navigator’s nightmare, but the spectacular vantage point from the top of Mount Cook is a dream eyrie. Directly below, Monkhouse Point divides Quarantine Bay from Walker Bay, which extends beyond the Annan River to Grave Point, Walker Point and Archer Point. Looking seaward it is easy to see Captain Cook’s dilemma – a maze of reefs stretch to the horizon in every direction. About 20 kilometres to the northeast lie Boulder and Egret Reef. Dawson Reef is 5 kilometres to the east and Cowlishaw Reef is 10 kilometres southeast. In the distant east Osterland Reef lies north of Rosser Reef and Cairns Reef. The Hope Islands, visible in the far south-southeast are almost 30 kilometres away.</p>
<p><b>Difficulty Level:</b> Strenuous</p>
<p><b>Distance:</b> 6 kilometres return</p>
<p><b>Duration:</b> 3-4 hours return</p>
<p><b>Access:</b> Self Guided</p>
<p><b>Trail Management Contact:</b><i> </i>Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service</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>Black Mountain, Queensland. Courtesy of Tourism Queensland</p>
<p>Located 25 km south of Cooktown on the Mulligan Highway, the mysterious Black Mountains were originally formed from magma that slowly solidified under the Earth’s crust about 250 million years ago.  The mountains consist of huge boulders of grey granite, which have been blackened by algae growing on the exposed surfaces. They are very unstable and should not be climbed, as rain causes the boulders to fracture, break and slowly disintegrate, sometimes explosively.</p>
<p>The mountains are a place of cultural significance for the Kuku Yalanji people, who call them Kalkajaka, or ‘place of the spear’. They contain at least four sites of religious or mythological importance – Kambi, Julbanu, Birmba and Yirrmbal – each having its own story.</p>
<p>There are many non-Indigenous stories about the mountains too, with tales of people, horses and whole mobs of cattle disappearing into the labyrinths of rock, never to be seen again. Indeed, when the Cooktown Local News ran a story on April 1st about a giant black panther being caught there, the majority of people believed the story, failing to realise it was an April Fool’s joke!</p>
<p>The park is home to some unique wildlife – one species of frog and two lizard species are found nowhere else. Godman’s rock wallabies and ghost bats also live here.</p>
<p>There is a lookout and viewing platform signposted from the highway, and information boards giving more information about this amazing place.</p>
<p>Visit the magical Black Mountains with <a href="http://www.cooktowntours.com.au/Cooktown_Tours.html" target="_blank">Cooktown Tours</a></p>

<p><i>Mangkalba</i><i> </i>(Cedar Bay) is the traditional country of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people, whose country extends along the coast to Mossman. Cedar Bay National Park was a major turtle hunting area and contains important cultural sites including the <i>murabaymba</i> (canoe), <i>ngawaia</i> (turtle) and <i>ngiwa</i><i> </i>(saltwater eel) story sites.</p>
<p>The Park is home to a wonderful variety of wildlife including the rare and elusive <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/animals/tree_kangaroo">Bennett’s tree kangaroo</a>, endangered southern cassowary and the beach stone-curlew. It lies between Cape Tribulation and Cooktown and is accessible only by boat or on foot via the Home Rule Walking Track. </p>
<p>Take the turnoff south to Helenvale from the Mulligan Highway, about 2 kms south of Black Mountain. Continue through Helenvale and Rossville. Once in Rossville there is a turnoff on your left to Home Rule rainforest lodge. The homestead and access to Cedar Bay North is 3 kms down this track.</p>
<p>The 17km (one way) walking track is a rough, steep and difficult track and should only be attempted by experienced walkers. </p>
<p> Creek flowing down the slopes of Mt Hartley in Cedar Bay National Park</p>
<p>Walking the track should not be attempted when heavy rain has fallen or is forecast, as it crosses several creeks, and steep sections can become slippery in wet weather.</p>
<p>Camping</p>
<p>Bush camping is available in coastal vegetation adjacent to the beach. No facilities are provided so campers must be self-sufficient.</p>
<p>Camping permits are required and fees apply. Permits are limited and it is recommended that you book at least two weeks in advance.</p>
<p>For further information, contact the <a href="http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/mangkalba/about.html" target="_blank">Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing</a>  </p>

<p>Access is from Cooktown or Ayton by private or <a href="resolveuid/d42d3bd2d46b2349554081f0bfd6de33">charter boat</a>. There is no access to West Hope in the sea bird breeding season from September-March.</p>
<p>An important nesting site for pied imperial pigeons, the islands are significant sea country for the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people.</p>
<p>Snorkelling and diving from the islands to pristine reefs.</p>
<p>There are four bush campsites on East Hope 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>

<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>