Take the signposted turnoff in Mossman and drive 6km to Mossman Gorge. The gorge is the traditional home of the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people. Take a cultural tour and visit the art gallery at Mossman Gorge to learn more about their unique Rainforest Aboriginal culture.

Nearby Cooya Beach is the first stop along The Bama Way - an Aboriginal Journey along story-lines, through coastal mangroves, rich rainforest and hilltop Savannah. The Bama Way map tells you about the Aboriginal history of the area and the significance of some of the landmarks you will see. Take the Aboriginal-owned tours along the way for a wonderful insight into different facets of Aboriginal culture.

From Mossman it is just a short 25km drive along the Mossman Daintree Road to the Daintree River vehicle ferry, which operates continuous transfers across the river (cost applies).Visit Daintree Village, just a few kilometres further up the road from the ferry crossing. This historic village on the Daintree River is popular for wildlife spotting, river cruises, guided rainforest walks, scenic valley drives, galleries and restaurants.

Along the way, why not take the scenic route and visit Wonga Beach . At the entrance to the Daintree Valley Wonga Beach stretches from the Rocky Point, at the southern access of the Captain Cook Highway to the Daintree River in the north. Wonga Beach is easily accessible and is often overlooked by tourists.

After the ferry crossing, look for the sign to Alexandra Range Lookout. This is a good place to take a short break and enjoy views overlooking the Daintree River mouth, offshore islands and along the coast to Port Douglas and Cairns.

The Daintree Coast is a small part of the Kuku Yalanji tribal area and has great spiritual and cultural significance for these people. Their stories, songs and dances continue to give special meaning to the landscape. There are numerous boardwalks, educational centres, river cruises, crocodile spotting and adventure activities.

Daintree and Cape Tribulation have many resorts, lodges and backpacker hostels, both tucked away in the rainforest and close to the beach - so soak up the Daintree atmosphere and stay a day or two.

From Cape Tribulation you will be travelling along the coastal road to Cooktown. 4WD vehicles are strongly recommended for this road.

The Bloomfield Track provides 4WD access from Cape Tribulation to just south of the Bloomfield River where it connects with the existing road to the township of Ayton and onto the Mulligan Highway leading to Cooktown. You will pass by Wujal Wujal Aboriginal community, Cedar Bay National Park, Black Mountain National Park and Keating's Lagoon before arriving in Cooktown for the night.

For a touch of authentic Australiana stop off at the Lion’s Den Hotel, an old Australian pub, for lunch, and then continue through to visit the majestic Black Mountain.

Cooktown is the site of the first European 'settlement' in Australia when Lieutenant James Cook, having accidentally struck the Great Barrier Reef, beached HM Bark Endeavour on the shore of what is now the Endeavour River.

There are many walking trails and heritage sites around Cooktown. Start at Grassy Hill, which offers 360 degree views of the town and coast. The James Cook Historical Museum, built in 1886, is one of the oldest buildings in North Queensland. The museum now offers a window back to the heady gold rush days when Cooktown was the second biggest town in Queensland, and a fascinating look at the area's rich Indigenous history. The traditional custodians of this region are the Guugu Yimithirr people and a number of Aboriginal-owned tours give you a wonderful insight into their history, culture and spirituality. There is plenty to do and see around here, so consider spending a couple of days in Cooktown. For more details look at the Cooktown Discovery Trail.

Local Tip: “Do a wharfie” – head down to the public wharf and check out the action. Locals relied on the wharves for supplies until the inland road was built in 1930s, and it’s still a major social spot. Locals and tourists alike throw in a line at dawn and dusk, hoping to catch a Spanish mackerel or barramundi weighing up to 50 lb. You may glimpse the 400lb gropers which occasionally surface to taunt the fishermen.

Cooktown offers a range of accommodation including some very quaint lodges, B & Bs, caravan parks and upmarket motels and resorts.

From Cooktown, follow the Mulligan Highway to the tiny township of Lakeland Downs, in the heart of the Laura River Valley. This is now a major coffee and banana growing region.

Less than an hour’s drive further south you will find the Palmer River Roadhouse. As you look at the solitary Palmer River Roadhouse perched on the hill above the famous river it is hard to imagine that in the 1870s tens of thousands of miners flocked to this area searching for gold. Today all that is left of the Palmer River Goldfields are a few suggestions, and distant stories of where miners lived and dug. The publican at the roadhouse has a collection of related artefacts.

Enjoy sweeping panoramas of Cape York’s huge cattle stations from Bob's Lookout on the Desailly Range.

While not obvious, the small township of Mt Molloy has an important connection to Palmer Goldfields and the development of North Queensland. It is here that James Venture Mulligan, the founding father of the Palmer Goldfields, rests. His discovery of gold at Palmer River in 1872 sparked the gold rush and massive migration into North Queensland. You can stop and visit Mulligan’s headstone in the small cemetery south of town.

Turning left you will follow the Rex Range Road, as it snakes down the range to Mossman. Along the way you will pass through the tiny rainforest township of Julatten. The town has a big reputation among bird watchers. It is here that patient bird lovers have been known to spot up to 200 of the 370 native bird species resident in the Wet Tropics region.
For further detailed information visit one of the local Information Centres on the way, or one of the following.

Cairns:
Gateway Discovery Centre
51 The Esplanade, Cairns
Tel: (07) 4051 3588
www.tropicalaustralia.com

For an Aboriginal map of the area, with Aboriginal names, history, stories and tours, visit www.bamaway.com.au

	Complete Information Centre list
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