<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>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>

<h3>Cooktown Discovery Trail Summary</h3>
<p><strong>Day 1. </strong>Cooktown-Laura via Lakefield National Park 136 km, approx 2 hr 30 mins</p>
<p><strong>Day 2.</strong> Laura-Cooktown 143 km, approx 1 hrs, 30 mins</p>
<p> Kalpowar Crossing Camping Lakefield National Park. Courtesy of Tourism Queensland</p>
<h3>DAY 1. Cooktown-Laura.</h3>
<p>Road conditions unsealed, suitable for 4WD.</p>
<p>A dirt road links Cooktown to Lakefield National Park, past the Endeavour Falls and on through Battle Camp Road. Camping permits and information about the park can be obtained from QPWS rangers at Cooktown, New Laura, Lakefield or Bizant Ranger Stations. Crossing Laura River, you will come upon historic Old Laura Homestead, one of the oldest cattle properties on Cape York. The structure you see today was built in 1892.</p>
<p>You can bush camp in Lakefield National Park (permit required) or continue onto the township of Laura, where hotel and camping facilities are available.</p>
<p>Carry plenty of drinking water and fuel as there are no service stations in the park. </p>
<p> WARNING – CROCODILES. Estuarine crocodiles are present in creeks, rivers and waterholes in this area.</p>
<p> Giant Horse Gallery</p>
<h3>DAY 2. Laura-Cooktown.</h3>
<p>Road conditions sealed suitable for 2WD.</p>
<p>The area surrounding Laura is known as ‘Quinkan country’ and is renowned for its ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries, considered among the world’s finest. The ‘Split Rock’ site about 10km south of Laura is open to the public. To learn more about the region’s history and culture, visit the Quinkan Regional and Cultural Centre to organise a site tour. If you are interested in these areas you will need to contact them prior to starting your trip.</p>
<p>Another of Laura’s highlights is the annual Horse Races and Rodeo which are held on the first weekend of July, and the Indigenous Dance and Cultural Festival held every two years.</p>
<p>Follow the Peninsula Development Road south 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>The final 80 km back to Cooktown crosses four rivers – the West Normanby, East Normanby, Little Annan and Big Annan. Allow time for a few stops in the last 30km – Black Mountain National Park, the historic Lion’s Den Hotel (a 4km detour from the main road) and finally Keating’s Lagoon.</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.</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 of <a href="http://http//www.cairnsgreatbarrierreef.org.au/" target="_blank">Tourism Tropical North Queensland</a></p>

<p>The Hope Vale Arts & Cultural Centre is at the heart of Guugu Yimithirr culture and actively involves Aboriginal people of all ages in passing on the cultural traditions and promoting the use and teaching of the Guugu Yimithirr language, which is alive and spoken daily by many local people. The Centre offers a space to learn ancient skills, such as gathering and weaving of local fibres and dyeing them with bush dyes, and modern skills such as printing, etching and contemporary art techniques.</p>
<p>The long and strong tradition of Aboriginal Artists born of this country and of the Guugu Yimithirr, include Derek Rosendale, Evelyn McGreen, Harold Bowen, Shane “Duka” Gibson, Madge Bowen, Ben McGreen, John Allums, Godfrey Gordon, Ken Walsh, Tulo Gordon, Sid McIvor, Walter Jack and <a href="http://www.hopevalearts.com/artists.html#roymcivor" target="_blank">Roy McIvor</a>. With many talented, younger artists emerging, Hope Vale envisions a bright future for its culture.</p>
<p>Visitors are welcome to visit the Centre weekdays, <br /> between the hours of 9am and 4.30pm, at Flierl Street, Hope Vale.</p>

<p>Make this your first stop in Laura for information on the region. A select range of Aboriginal arts and crafts are available for sale, and you can book guided tours to some of the world famous rock art sites in the region.</p>
<p>The centre has several interpretive displays with information on the Quinkan rock art galleries, local families and tribal elders, the gold rush days and cattle stations. A DVD showcases the Laura region and children can even learn traditional dancesteps.</p>
<p><b>Ph: (07) 4051 8471</b></p>
<p><strong>Peninsula Development Road, Laura, QLD, 4871</strong></p>

<p>The Gateway to Cape York precinct is a unique, new tourism development that entices travellers and tourists to stop and view the information and educational displays. The precinct also includes BBQs, park benches, photo opportunities and public artwork sculptures.</p>
<p>A key reason people travel in Cape York is to experience the beautiful natural environment, it is projected that there will be a large increase of visitors in the coming years, however increased visitor numbers can mean increased environmental impacts and problems. It is imperative that these visitors are well informed so they can help to protect the Cape.</p>
<p>This vital new tourism infrastructure is intended to offer travellers a place to have a break and view the educational displays; taking time to understand a little more about the beauty and unique opportunities of Cape York Peninsula.</p>
<p>Download the <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/lake_laura/GatewaytoCapeYorkOpeningBrochure.pdf" target="_blank">brochure here</a> </p>

<p>Jarramali Rock Art Tours is an Aboriginal owned and operated business, run by friendly and experienced Kuku-Yalanji traditional owners. Our guests will have the opportunity to experience significant and amazing rock art sites in the Laura region. </p>
<p>The Quinkan Rock Art provides an extensive legacy and is one of the best on the planet. Quinkan Rock Art is outstanding for its variety, quantity and quality, an absolute must see! This is Australia’s national history, our crown jewels. It’s something all Australians should be acquainted with, proud of and work hard to preserve. Come on a journey to this remote landscape and unravel the stories, thousands of years old that were hidden in our rock art.</p>
<p>Tours will give an enchanting narrative of our peoples ways and culture through the stories that are told through rock art, evidence of the oldest living culture on earth. This will result in a guaranteed incredible Aboriginal cultural tour experience.</p>

<p>Bana Yirriji Art and Cultural Centre is a community and council run gallery and cultural centre with an artist studio. Come and visit the local bama artists and learn their culture. The art gallery is a great place to buy locally made jewellery and art. </p>
<p>Art Centre temporarily CLOSED – new centre location being sought.<br />Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023 caused catastrophic damage to the Bana Yirriji Art Centre and Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council is working to find an alternate temporary location for artists to work from while funding is being sought to have a new centre constructed.</p>