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The Bloomfield Track from Cape Tribulation (accessible only by 4x4 vehicle) follows the rainforest as it weaves its way to Cooktown.

Captain Cook, the first European to charter Australia's east coast, spent a number of weeks here repairing his ship, HMS Endeavour, as it made an unexpected stop on the Great Barrier Reef. In the local museum you'll find a number of relics related to this event, including the old anchor from the vessel.

Around Cooktown

A hundred years later the town became rather rowdy as gold was discovered but today it is much quieter and a superb base from which to explore. Black Mountain National Park is an area shrouded in Aboriginal legends and galleries of rock art can be found here.

The deserted coast at Archers Point plays host to breeding turtles (October and February), whilst a visit to the wetlands at Keatings Lagoon offers bird watchers an array of migrating birds.

Nature is the entertainer and although there are plenty of marked walks, the region is best explored in the company of an Aboriginal guide.