<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>
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<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>World class wind conditions are almost guaranteed, and with deserted beaches and stunning backdrops, increasing numbers of kite surfers keep coming back for more.</p>
<p>The main beaches favored by the kite surfing community are at Walker Bay and Archer Point, both just outside Cooktown, and Elim Beach near Hope Vale.</p>
<p><a href="http://australiankitesurfari.com/" target="_blank">Australian Kitesurfari</a> run organised tours from Cairns and are pioneers in the sport in the region. </p>
<p>The best times of year for kite surfing are are from April-December – come fly with us where the wind always blows!</p>
<p> Kite surfing at Walker Bay</p>

<p><b>Opening Hours <br /></b></p>
<p>6.00 am  – 6.00 pm Monday-Friday</p>
<p>1.00 pm – 6.00 pm Saturday and Sunday</p>
<p><b><a href="https://www.cook.qld.gov.au/council-desc/rates-fees-and-charges/fees-and-charges-1" target="_blank">Pool entry fees<br /></a></b></p>
<p><b>Aqua Aerobics</b></p>
<p>Tuesday 9.00am</p>
<p>Tuesday 5.30pm</p>
<p>Thursday 9.00am</p>
<p>Saturday 12.00 pm</p>
<p><b>Private swimming lessons</b> are also available with qualified AUSTSWIM instructors, contact the pool for more info</p>
<p><b>Ph: (07) 4069 6928</b></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>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>Breathe in the fresh air and discover beautiful Cooktown on foot – The Scenic Rim walk consists of several sections each with unique attractions.</p>
<p>Captain Cook’s statue in the Bicentennial Park (opposite the Police Station in Charlotte Street) has been chosen as the starting point, however, the trail may be commenced or completed at any point along the route and may be walked in either direction.</p>
<p>Cooktown’s diverse habitats, each with their own special features and species, provide a rich variety of flora and fauna, all within easy walking distance from the town centre.</p>
<p>These range from the mangrove-lined banks of the Endeavour River to the tropical rainforest of Mount Cook National Park.</p>
<p>Walk through the historic Cooktown Cemetery and Botanic Gardens to the rocky headland between Finch Bay and Cherry Tree Bay. Enjoy the sand dunes and beaches of this rugged coastline.</p>
<p>A hat should be worn at all times and water carried especially on walks longer than one hour.</p>
<p>Avoid insect bites (mosquitoes and sand flies) by applying repellent and wearing long pants/sleeves.<br />Sections of the trail / track require that sturdy footwear be worn.<br />Some sections may be affected by tidal movement and can become dangerous and or impassable.</p>
<h3>Beware</h3>
<p>Estuarine crocodiles can occur in all coastal waterways.<br />Box jelly fish capable of causing fatalities may be present near beaches between November and May. <br />Swimming in the sea during these months is not advisable.</p>
<p><b>Section 1: James Cook Statue to Hogg Street (1.2km)</b></p>
<p>Commencing at James Cook statue, the Scenic Rim Walking Trail follows Adelaide Street along the Endeavour River foreshore to the corner of Hogg Street (behind the bakery).<br />The estuarine environment forms a complex breeding ground for different forms of wildlife. The tidal salt flats, arel the habitat of many life forms such as crabs, insects, lizards, and birds.</p>
<p> Cooktown Bay</p>
<p><b>Section 2: Hogg Street to Cooktown Cemetery (1.2km)</b> <br />Here the route becomes an ungraded track and turns right past an old rail tender. Before reaching Ticklebelly salt flats (50m), the trail turns left through some trees onto the old Cooktown to Laura railway line.<br />Mangroves can be seen from both sides of the railway line, and in places are complemented by an almost 360 degree view of the surrounding area.<br />You will encounter an old railway siding that has become a series of mangrove ponds, with a saltwater lagoon surrounded by salt grasses and crab mounds.</p>
<p>The trail follows the railway line. It crosses two bridged tidal creeks and continues along the line until it crosses the salt flats to the back of the Cemetery. A beautiful tea-tree forest merges with the salt marsh at the tidal limit. After crossing a number of shallow trenches the trail reaches a T-junction. The right track leads past the Chinese Shrine to the main part of the Cemetery.<br />The left track leads through the cemetery to the main entrance on Charlotte Street. Here much of the local history, tragedies, triumphs and mysteries of Cooktown’s past lies buried. The oldest identifiable graves are from 1874. Mary Watson and her infant son, Ferrier, are interred here. Their servant, Ah Sam, lies in an unmarked grave.</p>
<p><b>Section 3: Cemetery to Mt Cook National Park, via Racecourse Road (4.6km) </b><br />From the front entrance of the Cemetery, the Scenic Rim Walking Trail turns right onto Charlotte Street and then left onto Racecourse Road. At the end of Racecourse Rd, turn left towards Hope Street, then right onto Ida Street and right onto May Street. At the school, turn left onto Charles Street past a section of sealed road in front of Cooktown State School. It continues towards Mt Cook, then swings left onto Melaleuca Street shortly after crossing the top end of Alligator Creek. About 300 metres further along this unsealed road, the Mt Cook National Park sign (on the right) marks where the old Mt Cook trail once started. Continue on for another 1km until you reach the car park at the foot of Mount Cook.</p>
<p><b>Section 4: Mt Cook Summit – Allow 3-4 Hours Return (6km)</b><br />Solid footwear is required. Walkers should be reasonably fit and have previous bush walking experience. <br />The track is steep and narrow. It passes through open forest on the lower reaches of Mt Cook, until it reaches the rainforest. Up through the dim rainforest light, it weaves its way past thorny vines and around walls of buttress roots, across the forest floor with leaves, fruit and flowers fallen from the canopy high overhead. Occasionally, you will catch a glimpse of Cooktown, Grassy Hill and Finch Bay far below. Once at the summit, there is a viewing platform with stunning views over Quarantine Bay.</p>
<p> Finch Bay</p>
<p><b>Section 5: Finch Bay to Cherry Tree Bay (0.9km)</b><br />The track winds its way from the northern end of Finch Bay around the rocky headland, then descends to the small secluded beach at Cherry Tree Bay offering some magnificent views along the way. Sometimes fish and turtles can be seen swimming in the Bay. On rare occasions dugong can be spotted playing. This section is narrow and steep in parts with many rock steps so that sturdy footwear is recommended. A reasonable degree of fitness is required.</p>
<p><b>Section 6: Finch Bay to the Botanic Gardens and Nature’s Powerhouse (1.7km)</b><br />From the northern end of Finch Bay, a constructed walking track leads to the beautiful botanic gardens and to Natures Powerhouse, a gallery and interpretive centre. Here you can wonder through this unique display of reptiles from the area, browse the many titles in the book and gift store, (many of the books written by local authors) or enjoy morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea.</p>
<p><b>The Botanic Gardens</b><br />In 1878, 154 acres were set aside for the establishment of a Botanical Garden. Today, the Garden Reserve extends from the rocky coast of Cherry Tree Bay to Alligator Creek at Finch Bay, along the creek to Hogg Street, Garden Street, in a north-north-easterly line that runs back to the rocks.</p>
<p><b>Section 7: Cherry Tree Bay to Grassy Hill (0.8km)</b><br />The track leads from Cherry Tree Bay beach through open forest before it joins an old 4WD track to emerge onto the Grassy Hill Road. Turn right at the T– junction and continue to the top of Grassy Hill which offers a magnificent 360-degree view of Cooktown. Or if you wish to return directly to the Endeavour River foreshore, turn left and follow the bitumen road downhill, turning right at Green Street.</p>
<p><b>Section 8: Grassy Hill to James Cook Statue (1.9km)</b><br />From the top of Grassy Hill it is down hill all the way back to the Endeavour River foreshore.<br />Follow Grassy Hill Road down past Baird Road, right down Hope Street, then turn right into Green Street. This will bring you back to the Post Office and Old Council Chambers, then turn right along Charlotte Street.</p>

<p>It is also a popular camping spot, and the Elim Beach campground, is right on the water’s edge with fabulous views to Cape Bedford, providing the perfect base from which to explore the area.</p>
<p>The mesmerising dune formations of the Coloured Sands are a 300 metre walk along the beach. The large expanse of beach faces Cape Bedford and at low tide the shallows provide plenty of exploration with numerous starfish, crabs, sea cucumbers and marine life to find.</p>
<p><strong>Special Features: </strong>Spectacular sunset and sunrise, culture and history</p>
<p><strong>Difficulty Level:</strong> Easy</p>
<p><strong>Distance: </strong>600 metre return</p>
<p><strong>Duration:</strong> 30 minutes</p>
<p><strong>Access:</strong> Self Guided and Guided</p>
<p><strong>Facilities:</strong> Campground with amenities</p>
<p><strong>Trail Management, Bookings and Enquires </strong></p>