All Roads lead to Cooktown
The sun is shining, the roads are opening and the Bloomfield track is almost ready for business.
Mulligan Highway past the Black Mountains
Following the recent heavy rains, the crossing over the Bloomfield River was washed away, preventing visitors the access through the Bloomfield Track to Wujal Wujal, Ayton the infamous Lion’s Den Hotel at Helenvale and onto Cooktown. Now the Cook Shire Council and the Cairns Regional Council are working together to repair the causeway in time for the influx on visitors that traditionally start travelling the Bloomfield Track via Cape Tribulation in late May.
Cooktown is also one of the most picturesque towns in Queensland, sitting at the foot of Mt Cook and overlooking the magnificent Endeavour River. The crystal creeks are full of fish, the birds are in abundance and you may even be lucky enough to spot the elusive Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo in its natural habitat. With the Barramundi season open again, those with a passion for fishing will find Cooktown a wonderful place to ‘bag a barra’.
Cooktown and the region provides something for everyone including a unique history that began in 1770 with Cook’s arrival and expanded 100 years later with the Palmer river gold rush. There are museums, traditional old pubs, an Historical Society that houses a fascinating display from the early days or the Re-enactment Association that has celebrated the arrival of Captain Cook for the past 51 years. There are the exquisite Cooktown Botanical Gardens, home to the Cooktown Orchid, beaches, waterfalls and magnificent bushwalking trails.
For the adventurous there are fishing trips up rivers, a chance of croc spotting or visit some original Aboriginal rock art sites. There are even several local festivals held this June including the biennial Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival and the Cooktown Discovery Festival. Or simply relax, sit back and watch the sunset over the Endeavour River from Grassy Hill.
Come and explore the beauty of Cooktown and surrounds, only 4 hrs from Cairns by car on the inland Mulligan Highway or 5.5 hours on the Bloomfield track from late May. Just make sure you check the road updates at
www.cooktownandcapeyork.com or call the Visitor Information Centre 1800 174 895. Media enquiries via Vanessa Gillen on 0412 318690.
