(2WD)

The inland route to Cooktown is sealed all the way - 330km and less than 4 hours from Cairns.

The route from Cairns takes you over the Kuranda range and away from the coast via Highway 1, the Kennedy Highway, to Mareeba where you strike north on Highway 81, the Mulligan Highway. Similarly, from Port Douglas take Highway 44 via Julatten to join Highway 81 at Mt Molloy.

Once over the ranges, the lush tropical rainforest is replaced by more open tropical savannah as you travel through the tiny settlements common to Lower Cape York.

Mt Molloy was named after a teamster who discovered copper here in the 1880’s. The Post Office, in its pretty setting, provides local information. The Mt Molloy National Hotel, built in 1903, illustrates the township’s historic past. There is a camping area with facilities at Rifle Creek north of town.

Mt Carbine was founded after the discovery of extensive wolfram deposits in 1890. The Mt Carbine Caravan Park, in its peaceful bushland setting is noted for its prolific birdlife. The park offers free van storage for customers travelling to the Cape. The small community has a roadhouse and pub.

Bob’s Lookout at the top of the Desailly Range offers spectacular views over remote and harsh savannah.

The Palmer River Goldfield, once Australia’s richest alluvial field, is now a resource reserve managed by QPWS. The discovery of alluvial gold in the Palmer River in 1872 led to Queensland’s largest gold rush. It became legendary for its hardships and the large numbers of Chinese miners, which peaked at 17,000 in 1877. A place of significant national heritage, the Palmer is rich in the artifacts of early Chinese mining and lifestyle, and the relics of pioneer technology and settlement.

The former gold field capital of Maytown can still be explored, but it is a 4WD trek of extreme difficulty and for experienced drivers only. More information can be obtained from QPWS 4046 6600 or Cook Shire Council 4069 5444.

Lakeland lies in a natural basin formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. The Lakeland Caravan Park is a great base to explore Quinkan Country, and offers van storage. You can get a cold beer at the Lakeland Hotel Motel, and fantastic coffee and fresh snacks from the Lakeland Coffee House. The Lakeland Roadhouse has fuel, takeaway and an air-conditioned restaurant.

Here the Peninsula Development Road strikes north and is now sealed all the way to Laura, or continue north east on the Mulligan Highway, passing the Annan Gorge and Black Mountains, on the last leg of your trip to Cooktown.