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....