Cooktown

20 and 21 July 2017

We headed out of Mossman early on Thursday 20 heading for Cooktown via the inland route through Lakeland (somewhat surprisingly, there are no lakes at Lakeland - it was named after a gentleman of that name). At Mt Carbine we stopped at the pub for a coffee break, where the barman warned us to watch out for cattle on the road - apparently there have been a number of collisions with bovines on the Mulligan Highway between Mt Carbine and Cooktown. Fortunately, we managed to arrive at Cooktown unscathed although we did note a number of cattle grazing or lazing not far off the road.

About 20 km south of Cooktown we came across the mysterious Black Mountain, which is composed of masses of hugh granite boulders - some the size of houses. It's said that a number of people have disappeared without trace while exploring among the boulders.

Black Mountain

We enjoyed Cooktown. The Cook Museum is excellent, especially the display of the anchor and one of the cannons from the Endeavour. The view from Grassy Hill lookout over the town and the Endeavour River is something not to be missed. Dinner on both nights was barra and chips from Grill'd & Gutted - superb!

Captain Cook Memorial

Captain Cook statue

Endeavour River from Grassy Hill lookout

Old lighthouse on Grassy Hill

The Endeavour's anchor (and a self portrait) at the Cook Museum

The Endeavour's cannon at the Cook Museum

Just down the road from Grill'd & Gutted is the Cook's Landing Kiosk - we didn't eat there but the evening Grouper feeding was exciting.

Grouper feeding

Sunset on the Endeavour River

On Friday, while Marg had a rest, I drove up to Endeavour Falls about 30 km north. The falls aren't high but in a very picturesque location. Then down to Keating's Lagoon bird hide - not a good time of year for birds sadly, although I did spy a couple of Red-winged parrots as I was driving out of the reserve.

Endeavour Falls

Back in Cooktown I found myself following an Outback Spirit tour coach around town at the start of a Cape York tour. I was tempted to ask if they had two spare seats....