Mungumby Lodge → Black Mountain (Kalkajaka)

1. Depart Mungumby Lodge (Early Start)

07.30 Enjoy a yummy tropical buffet breakfast at Mungumby Lodge before you depart. Fresh coffee and tea, juices, cereals, fresh cut fruit, yogurt, boiled eggs. A nice way to start the day. Morning light filters beautifully through the rainforest and bird activity is at its peak.

Birdlife near the lodge and en-route:

• Wompoo & Superb Fruit-Doves
• Double Eyed Fig Parrot
• Cuckoo Pheasant
• Olive Back Oreale
• Cockatoos
• Lorakeet
• Varied Trillers, honeyeaters and drongos

Black Mountain

2. Kalkajaka

Distance: ~9.2 km | ~11 minutes from Mungumby Lodge

Arrive at Black Mountain (Kalkajaka) National Park, an amazing rock formation that took 260 years in the making. The rock is actually Granite and therefore white and black flecked rock. The black is an alge that grows on the rock and the mountain is home to some very unique Flora & Fauna. Learn the ancestral stories of this culturally significant site from the information boards at the car park.

Kalkajaka

• Look for:
  • Crested Cockatoos
  • Black Cockatoos
  • Lorakeets
  • Black Mt Gecko
  • Godmans Rock Wallaby

Cultural note: This rock structure has been travelled and used by Aboriginal people for many years as a food-gathering and ceremonial landscape.

Keatings Lagoon 

3. Conservation Reserve

From the carpark there is a clear walking trail through the Malaluca trees to the bird hide. There and along the path are information signage identifying the Flora & Fauna

What to notice:

• Button Orchids in the Malalucca swamp
• Water lily and many water birds of all kinds
• Quiet, unspoilt feel

A good spot for photos, bird watching and a short leg stretch. Stay on the path, there are Crocodiles present at Keatings Lagoons, generally small ones. Rangers closely monitor all Croc activity. Use insect repellent.

Cooktown Township

4. Cooktown

Australia’s colonial history began here with the arrival of the HMB Endeavour. Amazing views, 256 years of history, and Aboriginal stories makes this harbourside hamlet a unique visit.

History:

• In 1770, Captain James Cook and his ship the “Endeavour” beached here for repairs
• 1873 The Palmer River gold rush saw Cooktown emerge and grow significantly.
• In World War Two the town was evacuated and later used as the base for the coordination of the battle of the Coral Sea.
• Now a peaceful rural and harbour community

Bird watching highlights:

• Egrets, kites and waders, oyster catchers
• Rainbow Bee-eaters over open paddocks
• Helmeted Friarbird
• Clamorous Reed-Warbler
• Wandering Whistling-Duck 

Lunch Options

Options include:

• Natures Power House at the Botanic Gardens
• Shipwreak Cafe & Bar
• Bectopia on the Webber Esplanade waterfront
• Sovereign Hotel
• RSL & Bowls Club
• Cooktown Cafe

There are numerous commercial food outlets — our favorites are the Botanic Gardens, Shipwreck or Bectopia.

Grassy Hill

  5. Grassy Hill lookout and Lighthouse

Two thirds of the way up Grassy Hill on the left hand side there is a carpark with a lookout down the Endeavour River and overlooking Cooktown. Directly on the other side of the road is a monument of a Gungaroo. This was to be later named by Banks and Solander as Kangaroo. This is the spot where the word Kangaroo was born. Drive further up the hill to enjoy a generous view of the surrounding beaches, the Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef and well inland down the Endeavour River mouth. For most visitors this is truly a highlight.

Landscape:

• the Great Barrier Reef Coast
• Untouched beaches 
• Rocky dry open country covered in Eucalypt
• Rich biodiversity on every corner

History:

• Traditional Guugu Yimithirr country
• Also known for the first Colonial settlement in Australia
• Arrival site for the Palmer River Gold rush