Lakeland and Laura - History and Culture
Aboriginal Rock Art
Local Aboriginal history spans over 40,000 years with many stories and landmark events recorded in the extensive rock art galleries on outcrops and in caves throughout Cape York Peninsula.
Cooktown Railway
Hailed as Australia's most unusual railway, the creation of the Cooktown to Laura Railway, was a direct result of the discovery of gold in the Palmer River.
Jowalbinna Rock Art
Passing through a field of sun-bleached grasses and castle-like termite nests, natures own sculptural artworks, is a sign you’re nearly at Jowalbinna Rock Art Safari Camp, one of Tropical North Queensland’s true rock art treasures.
Palmer River Goldfields Resources Reserve
This remote reserve is located 280 kilometres north-west of Cairns with access via the Whites Creek turnoff from the Peninsula Developmental Road, to Granite and Cannibal creeks, then north to cross the Palmer River at Dog Leg Creek Junction south-east of Maytown - about three hours drive west of the Palmer River Roadhouse.
The Gold Rush
Little happened after Cooks initial landing until William Hann set out on his overland journey of exploration in 1872. The discovery of payable alluvial gold deposits at the Palmer river in 1873 by James Venture Mulligan, sparked a huge gold rush, drawing prospectors not only from Australia, but also from around the world.
