LAURA where the black surface ends & the track leads to Weipa & Cape York

Historic Laura, in Quinkan Country, was an important supply centre for the Palmer River Gold Rush towns of Palmerville & Maytown in the 1870s 




Before reaching Laura there is the Quinkan rock art galleries which are now listed by UNESCO as being amongst the top 10 rock art sites in the world
The rock art of south-east Cape York Peninsula forms some of the oldest & largest galleries in the world.  
We stopped at the Split Rock Gallery which is a steep, rocky climb of 300 metres.  Further along the track are 2 other Galleries, Mushroom Rock and also Giant Horse

AN   AWESOME   EXPERIENCE 

My Country by Dorothea Mackellar (1885 - 1968) Battle Camp Range - taken on Peninsula Development Road between Laura & Lakeland

The love of field and coppice, Of green and shaded lanes. Of ordered woods and gardens Is running in your veins, Strong love of grey-blue distance Brown streams and soft dim skies I know but cannot share it, My love is otherwise. I love a sunburnt country, A land of sweeping plains, Of ragged mountain ranges, Of droughts and flooding rains. I love her far horizons, I love her jewel-sea, Her beauty and her terror - The wide brown land for me! A stark white ring-barked forest All tragic to the moon, The sapphire-misted mountains, The hot gold hush of noon. Green tangle of the brushes, Where lithe lianas coil, And orchids deck the tree-tops And ferns the warm dark soil. Core of my heart, my country! Her pitiless blue sky, When sick at heart, around us, We see the cattle die- But then the grey clouds gather, And we can bless again The drumming of an army, The steady, soaking rain. Core of my heart, my country! Land of the Rainbow Gold, For flood and fire and famine, She pays us back threefold- Over the thirsty paddocks, Watch, after many days, The filmy veil of greenness That thickens as we gaze. An opal-hearted country, A wilful, lavish land- All you who have not loved her, You will not understand- Though earth holds many splendours, Wherever I may die, I know to what brown country My homing thoughts will fly.                        Dorothea Mackellar

Cairns via Kuranda, Mareeba to Cooktown - Inland Route -  is a 4 hour drive approx 331 kms

Before heading for Cooktown we are stopping off at  LAKELAND also known as  LAKELAND DOWNS' - a small farming community in CAPE YORK PENINSULA located at the junction of the main Peninsula Development Road and the Mulligan Highway.  The town sports a hotel, a cafe/roadhouse/shop & a very busy caravan park - will post some photos down the track

Black Mountain Lookout with Annan Gorge in background

Our first day's outing from Lakeland  has got us stopping at the mysterious Black Mountain Lookout before continuing our travels thru the Annan Gorge & onto Lion's Den

 Black Mountain National Park is home to an amazing imposing mountain of black granite that was formed by a freak of geology back when this area was active volcanically. They present an eerie feel as you get closer towards the lookout.    This area has a reputation both Aboriginal and modern, for people disappearing.  One can literally slip between the rocks and descend into the mountain never to be seen again... so they say.... "never go walking alone"

The infamous Lion's Den Hotel which was established in 1875 and is still going strong today

Lion's Den Hotel1875 saw Jack Ross and his wife open the hotel where the Little Annan River and the Mungumby Creek joined, the area later became known as Helenvale. The hotel was named the Lions Den Hotel, after the Lions Den tin mine on the nearby tableland.  

Is Scruffie Lion or Dog?????

Needless to say we didn't get to have lunch/drink at The Lions Den......... and we cancelled our intended stay of a week but have found a real dog friendly caravan park in Cooktown instead.  Before returning to Lakeland we had a wander around Cooktown & are looking forward to all the exploring that awaits us.... 

Our stay in Cairns is drawing to an end but not before having had another brilliant day out.  Drove up to Newell Beach today, great place to relax & unwind but would have to go into Mossman for everything you require.  Sadly the only shop in Newell has now closed down.  Caravan Park small but looks good enough & also pet friendly.  Mossman would be a good option for a short stay, golf club & bingo available.  
From Mossman we drove back to Port Douglas & 4 Mile Beach.  Lovely beach, fringed by palm trees.  Huge warning not to swim due to Crocodiles which was confirmed by a local lass. A steep drive up to Flagstaff Hill provides excellent views over 4 Mile Beach

NEWELL BEACH

4 MILE BEACH  PORT DOUGLAS

4 MILE BEACH FROM FLAGSTAFF HILL

CAPE TRIBULATION   
DAINTREE RAINFOREST &   BLOOMFIELD TRACK
   An early morning start & after having spied Stevie the weather man from the Today Show we joined our group of 11 for our journey  up the Capt Cook Hwy thru Mossman & to the approach of the majestic Daintree River, it was then all aboard for a river cruise searching for crocodiles, snakes & birdlife. We were joined by another Group  from the same company which made for a splendid day.  There were plenty of crocodile hatchlings as well as a few adults sunning themselves along the river's edge.  Saw one of last year's hatchlings which is a rarity as the mother normally won't tolerate last year's hatchling in the same area as they usually eat the new ones.  
Only managed to photograph one bird & snake but both were just amazing

The morning's cruise ended on the northern side of where the ferry crosses the Daintree River.  A great experience.....  

From there we drove up the Alexandra Range into the Daintree World Heritage Tropical Rainforest for a very informative, peaceful & relaxing walk

Our next stop was at Lync-Haven Resort for lunch followed by our drive beyond Cape Tribulation along the 4WD Bloomfield Track to pristine Emmagen Creek where some brave souls took a dip.   We're too used to warmer waters...so only the feet got wet   

Then it was showtime for Johnnie,  his demonstration of preparing Billy Tea & Damper as well as a smorgasboard of tropical fruit

After a fine cup of billy tea it was time to head to Cape Tribulation... a truly beautiful spot. It was now mid afternoon & a perfect time to soak up the beauty

Late afternoon we then had to make our way back for the ferry crossing over the Daintree River & our journey back to Cairns

Daintree River flowing into the Coral Sea

It was a very informative, wonderful & memorable day topped off by great company from folk from the 4 corners of the world.  Our group were made up of 6 Canadians (4 of which were the best behaved & intelligent kids you could wish to meet), 2 French, 3 Scots, my Irishman & mineself the only Aussie apart from Drew our Guide who originates from WA    BILLY TEA TOURS - WELL DONE                           We have now fully exhausted our sightseeing for at least 2 weeks until we reach  Lakeland, Laura & Cooktown