Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NORTH TO COOKTOWN
There are two routes to Cooktown from the south: the coastal route from Cape Tribulation
via the 4WD-only Bloomfield Track, and the inland route, which is sealed all the way via
Peninsula Developmental Rd and Cooktown Developmental Rd.
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Inland Route
The inland route runs along the western side of the Great Dividing Range for 332km (about
4½ hours' drive) from Cairns to Cooktown.
The historical township of
Mt Molloy
(population 274) marks the start of the Peninsula
Developmental Rd, about 40km north of Mareeba. Since its mining heyday, the town centre
has shrivelled to comprise a pub, bakery, post office and a cafe that serves up jaw-crack-
ingly massive burgers that have twice been recognised as the 'world's best'. The road con-
tinues north via
Mt Carbine
to the
Palmer River Roadhouse
, where you'll find fuel, camping and
meals. The Palmer River gold rush (1873-83) occurred about 70km west of here; there are
still pockets of miners trying their luck in them thar hills.
It's another 15km to
Lakeland
at the junction of the Peninsula Developmental Rd and the
Cooktown Developmental Rd. Head west and you're on your way to Laura and Cape York
(4WD and forward planning essential); continue straight northeast and it's another 80km to
Cooktown.
Some 30km shy of Cooktown, the spooky
Black Mountain National Park
, with thousands of
stacked, square, black granite boulders formed 260 million years ago, marks the northern
end of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The eerie mountain is cloaked in mystery and
legend: ask a local for their take on the place!
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Coastal Route
The legendary 4WD-only Bloomfield Track connecting Cape Tribulation to Cooktown tra-
verses creek crossings, diabolically steep climbs and patchy surfaces. It can be impassable
