Road to Cooktown

Leaving Lotus Bird Lodge we then drove through Lakefield National Park experiencing a variety of scenery. The name of the park was changed to Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park in 2011.

Termite mounds

Rocky terrain

The land forming the national park was formerly several properties including Laura and Breeza. The park, from June 2011) will be co-managed by indigenous owners.
Three river systems flow through the park creating wetlands with a habitat for a variety of wildlife. The area floods during the wet season.

Lakefield National Park

In the southern section of the national park is the old Laura Station, a collection of iron former homestead buildings and farm sheds  - reminders of past times.

Old Laura Station

Lunch was once again near the banks of a river.

Picnic lunch - Heritage Tours style

On the peninsula rivers needed to be forded - easier for some vehicles than others. At lunch part of the entertainment was watching vehicles cross the river. Larger vehicles found it easier than smaller ones and sometimes vehicles required a tow when they strayed from the path.

Fording a river

Continuing on the road to Cooktown the vegetation changed, becoming greener until we reached farm lands.

Heading south

Farm land approaching Cooktown

Approaching Cooktown we crossed the Endeavour River.

Endeavour River