Cooktown Things to do!
Enjoying Cooktown at its finest
Nature is our entertainer as we are surrounded by some very intricate and diverse Ecosystems. At Mungumby Lodge during the day guests can take advantage of the numerous walking trails, exploring the adjoining World Heritage Listed rainforest and historic mining sites, secret waterfalls and jungle pools of one of the Mungumby estates numerous creeks. There are a wide range of self-guided options & facilities at Mungumby Lodge, which guests can undertake. Spectacular waterfalls, inland lakes offer bird watching and trekking clients with numerous opportunities. The Quinkan Split Rock Art a must for Aboriginal rock art & culture, as this area hosts Queensland’s very best rock art. The Quinkan Cultural Center offers Aboriginal guided tours of numerous sites. These options can be added to your booking A half-day visit to the village of Cooktown is also a must and very interesting!
The elusive Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo, which lives in the area and on the Mungumby estate. Bird watching is a favorite with many and something Mungumby Lodge is well-known for as this can be done directly at the lodge or from your cabin. Also available, which include deep-sea ocean fishing to the pristine Ribbon Reefs. Light tackle estuary fishing is awesome especially by fly and can be done from the banks of the nearby rivers. Fishing is promising from nearby Archer Point, Bloomfield River, and the mighty Annan River or at the village of Cooktown on the wharf or waterfront jetty.
ABORIGINAL ROCK ART
The Quinkan Rock Art is Queensland’s most renowned rock art. Genuine in its current form and as it has been for thousands of years. Split Rock can be accessed from the Peninsular Development road just before Laura. The car park is signposted and open to the public, from the car park there is a short walk to the 3 main galleries with an entry fee required. Please note there that there are no toilet facilities. The road is sealed all the way to Laura and suitable with a conventional vehicle.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Mungumby Lodge is a photographers paradise. Directly from the lodge or throughout the garden. Birds, plants, flowers, history, culture landscape or macro, it’s all all here or within a short drive from the lodge. We are seriously into our photography as well, that’s why we live here!
If you are bringing your drone there is loads of space to fly and obtain some serious footage at the lodge, along the coast, over wetlands and to areas you can never get to on foot.
BIRD WATCHING
Australia has approximately 800 native bird species, from the iconic emu and the good humoured kookaburra, to the eye-dazzling (critically endangered) orange-bellied parrot, or the rare Victoria Riffle Bird that lives up the mountain behind Mungumby Lodge. Greater Cooktown is a birdwatchers paradise – almost 200 bird species are documented at Mungumby throughout the year.
Australian Geographic rates the Greater Cooktown region, Cape York and Atherton Tablelands in their Top Ten Birdwatching spots in Australia. Whether you’re a hardcore binocular-wielding twitcher with multiple species ticked off or have a casual interest in birds, birdwatching is a splendid excuse to get amongst nature.
The Cooktown district covers an area in the north from the boundary of Lakefield National Park on the Normanby River south to Cooktown, inland to West Normanby River, and south to the Bloomfield River. Cooktown is at the junction of three distinct ecoregions, the Wet Tropics rainforest, Cape York Peninsula, and the Einsleigh uplands. The bird species thus include a mix from these three regions, with several endemics. The many habitats include coastal beaches and mangroves, freshwater swamps, dams and lagoons, creeks and rivers, melaleuca woodland, dry eucalypt woodland, wet sclerophyll, upland and riverine rainforests.
Parks and reserves: Endeavour River National Park, Endeavour River Falls, Mt Webb, Mt Cook National Park, Keatings Lagoon, Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Areas of interest: Big Tableland, Shiptons Flat, Mt Misery, Mt Finnegan, Bloomfield River Falls, China Camp, Weary Bay, Endeavour River estuary, Cooktown Botanic Gardens and Finch Bay, Archer Point, McIvor River Crossing, Cooktown Scenic Rim walking tracks, Elim Beach and Coloured Sands,
MOUNTAIN BIKING
On the Mungumby estate as well as along Mungumby Road, down Shiptons Flat road and the surrounding region offers an abundance of Mt Biking opportunities. Try the Twin Bridges ride out along Shiptons Flat Road. A ride to Rossville and south to the Cedar Bay National Park Gap Creek climbing through the rainforest on a sealed quiet road and return. In Cooktown there is the very rocky bore fields ride behind Keating’s Lagoon. Another top ride is out to the North Shore from Endeavour River Escape or the airport.
FISHING
SE Cape York is world renown for its fishing. Coastal, river and shore fishing is some of the best. However they key is knowing the right spots and to stay away from the rest of the pack.
Fishing operators offer guided fishing charters and wildlife tours from Bloomfield, Cape York, Australia. Fish with lures, or live-bait for Barramundi, Coral Trout, Big Red's Tuna, Mackerel, Jacks, Trevally and Queenies. With many years of experience fishing locally John who prides himself on his personalised, professional and consistent fishing charters.
Mungumby Lodge uses a local guide who knows the spots. He is knowledgeable, fun to be around, and knows his stuff. We know from experience it is best to pre-plan and book a trip fishing whether to the reef, estuary, or up the river. The Mungumby team would be happy to arrange this for you at no extra cost! If there are unexpected changes we can liaise with the operator to ensure you do not miss your planned trip.
HIKING
KITE SURFING
Kite surfing around the local region guarantees strong winds and ideal conditions from May till October. Here you are assured exclusive locations south and north, from Wujal Wujal to Cape Melville. Strong, constant trade winds off Archer Point, Cedar Bay, Weary Bay, Walkers Bay, Cape Bedford, Indian Head and Cape Flattery mean these areas are for ideal for experienced kite surfers.
This region surrounding us both south and north offers golden sands with clear flat lagoons known at these special kite surfing locations, that many locals also enjoy. We request total respect for the wishes of traditional owners, which means not driving on the beaches at low tide, use small boats where you need to, or walk in and when required always obtain a permit for access.
In our region you can expect lots of wind, lots of adventure, natural golden sands, warm water and the ocean to yourself. We have a local charter boat available departing from Cooktown that can take you to some of the most unique kite surfing spots or outer reefs.
Here at Mungumby Lodge on the northern edge of the worlds oldest rainforest, you may just wish to spend your time relaxing near the pool, in the garden or in the main lounge area. Or you may wish to discover the region on your own, on one of the many hiking trails. Picnic lunches can be organized for you. Just let your hosts know. You may be looking for an experience that’s not been listed here. We do offer other activities and tours and can tailor make a stay to suit your wishes. Please contact us with your requirements. Whichever way you choose to go, Mungumby Lodge will have something for you.
Call us today
We welcome your call on (07) 4060 3158 for details or email us relax@mungumby.com. To make things streamline we need to know as a minimum the dates of stay, the number of guests, and the room type of interest. Please note as we are a small team and have no crystal ball so please give us as much detail as possible, if not your mail might be treated as TRASH. We respond within 24 hours to requests to genuine emails, so if you do not receive a reply from us please check your SPAM mailbox!