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The Great Tropical Drive Discovery Trail
<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>
4WD Adventures | Fishing & Boating | Indigenous Culture & Heritage | National Parks & Walking Trails | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park
<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>
4WD Adventures | History & Culture | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Gateway to Cape York
<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>
4WD Adventures | Fishing & Boating | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Fishing near Hope Vale
<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>
4WD Adventures | Fishing & Boating | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Fishing near Laura
<p><strong>Starke River</strong></p>
<p> Courtesy Gone Fishing</p>
<p>Lying about a 2 hour 4WD from Cooktown depending on road conditions is the Starke river and its tidal tributaries to the south. Access is limited during the wet but usually by May anglers are starting to get in. There’s a no fishing green zone restriction seaward of the river and tributaries in place.</p>
<p>Some scintillating sport fishing can be had fishing for big barra and mangrove jack on fly and lure inside the mouths of some amazing tidal inlets. Plenty of good sized tarpon, trevally and queenies can be found to fill in the quieter times.</p>
<p>An all weather boat ramp lies at the mouth with camping spots in close proximity,allthough sand flies will carry you away on a still night. A beach just to the south of the mouth has a camping area which is probably a better choice on calmer days.</p>
<p>When navigating this river do so with extreme care especially on low water, fairly serious rock bars are scattered throughout the system. Fishing can be absolutely amazing but picking your weather and tides to enhance your chances is recommended. Superb mud crabbing can be had in the tidal inlets.</p>
<p><strong>Lakefield National Park</strong></p>
<p> Barramundi</p>
<p>The beginning of Queensland’s second largest National Park lies approx 2hrs 4WD north of Cooktown and is where some of the best Barra fishing in the country can be found. Campgrounds and boat ramps/launching spots can be found throughout the park, but camping is no longer self-registered, you need to book online, visit a QPWS office, or book by telephone; use the link below to access the Parks web site and register. Kalpowar crossing has running water, showers and toilets and being centrally located it is a great base camp to explore the Park. Detailed maps and camp information can be obtained from Queensland Parks & Wildlife.</p>
<p>There are 4 major river systems the Normanby, the Kennedy, the Bizant and the Marret flowing through the park out into Princess Charlotte Bay. There are kilometers and kilometers of waterways to explore as well as the countless lagoons and billabongs. Access is during the dry season only as the rains make it impossible to explore. Usually by May camp sites are opening up. If you’re looking for that truly Australian camping/fishing experience then this is the place to go.</p>
<p>Many metre plus “wild” barra are landed here every year with casting or trolling lures being the most successful method. Pick your moon phase and water temperatures to get the best from the area because on its day it will compete with any fishery in the world! Like everywhere up north saltwater crocodiles inhabit this area so always be crocwise. Fishing from the banks is possible in a number of areas but is not for the faint hearted. To really get amongst it a small tinnie/punt is necessary. No hire boats are available but self drive or guided options will provide you with a truly unique range of habitats and fishing opportunities.</p>
<p><strong>Princess</strong><strong> Charlotte Bay, Bathurst Bay, Bathurst Heads and Cape Melville</strong></p>
<p>When you have areas such as Princess Charlotte Bay, Bathurst Bay, Bathurst Heads and, Cape Melville Nat Park all coming together in such close proximity it all adds up to one of the best fishing/camping destination experiences ever. It has been described as the best fishing hole in Australia. Access is usually limited to the months of May through to November.</p>
<p>There are a few motherships that work the area allowing access during the build up and run off when the area is at it’s best. The Wet season break enables it to rejuvenate and replenish itself for the following year.</p>
<p>The Flinders group of islands can be explored on a good day in a tinnie but a good advice would be to travel in pairs and make sure safety gear is up together as you are in a truly remote spot.</p>
<p>Big Coastal barra well over that magical metre are caught every year. These fish are not your regular impoundment fish, they’re wild and the challenge is there for the discerning fisherman. Working the mangrove edges whilst underway with an electric motor on a rising tide or just throwing a livey around the creek mouths can see cricket score returns on barra, jacks, fingermark, trevally and queenfish. Beware navigating on a dropping tide in PCB as many an angler has been left high and dry from camp with hundreds of metres of mud between them and shore. Mud crabbing in these areas is second to none so catching a feed is fairly straightforward.</p>
<p>Best times for fishing are early on in the season when the rivers are running well or when it’s stinking hot, although fishing in the middle of winter can also be outstanding. More info/maps/camping registration, can be obtained from QPWS or GBRMPA .</p>
<p>Cooktown QPWS –</p>
<p>T: 4069 5777</p>
<p>W: <a href="http://nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/rinyirru-lakefield/camping.html#all_camping_must_now_be">http://nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/rinyirru-lakefield/camping.html#all_camping_must_now_be</a></p>
<p>GBRMPA –</p>
<p>W: <a href="http://www.gbrmpa.qld.gov.au" target="_blank">www.gbrmpa.qld.gov.au</a></p>
<p>T: 07 4750 0700</p>