With a big drive ahead (234km) up the range from Mossman to Mount Molloy and then up the Mulligan Hwy to the Lions Den Hotel at Helenvale (Camps 7 QLD 3) we left Mossman a little earlier than usual. The drive up wasn't what we expected it the highway was up and down and the surrounded by range.
We had been told previously to make sure we book ahead if we wanted a powered site ( which we did while in Cairns) and on arrival I'm glad we did as there are only 9 powered sites but plenty of unpowered sites. Powered sites are $28 per couple and children under 6 are free. We set up camp and decided to have a late lunch of pizza at the hotel.
The Lions Den hotel was built in 1875 and was frequently visited by the miners working in the area. The signatures that line the walls was a way the miners could remember how much they had left in their pay packets or how much they had spent as they used the leave the pay with the publican for safe keeping. So the tradition continues with a gold coin donation to the royal flying doctors service we were able to write our names on the wall.
J Rob and A outside the Lions Den Hotel
Leaving our names on the wall.
The powered sites at the Lions Den Hotel
While A had his afternoon sleep J and I went down and explored the little Annan River that runs along the back of the camping sites and is crocodile free. J really wanted to have a swim but it was far to cold for me.
The Beach Little Annan River at the Lions Den
Further up stream from the beach at the Little Annan River
The camping side of the hotel was packed out and it wasn't till someone said it was round one of State Of Origin Rugby did it click. Everyone had come in to watch it on the big screen.
Thursday 6th June
We had originally decided to spent only the night at the Lions Den then head up to Cooktown, however with Cooktown only being 28km up the road and we had such a nice spot here at the Lions Den (expect no reception on the phone which does worry me with A medical conditions, but at least there was a public pay phone out the front of the pub if we needed it) we booked another night, settling for a day trip into Cooktown
First stop in Cooktown was the James Cook Museum (which was an old convert for girls) where they have on display the original anchor from the HMB Endeavour. Entry was $10 per adult and the boys were free as they were under 5.
Looking out to the reef from Grassy Hill - a similar view to Captain Cook maybe
Heading back into Cooktown we stopped at the monument of James Cook and the the boys had a play on the Musical Boat (Similar to the musical fence in Winton) where you can strum and tap making all kinds of sounds. Both attractions as set on the banks of the endeavour river.
On our drive back to the Lions Den we stopped at Black Mountain National Park look out.
Black Mountain National Park
The main feature is the granite boulders originally formed from Magna, some reported to be the size of a small of house.
Close up of the Granite boulders.
On return the the hotel A had an afternoon sleep while J played with some new friends he had made on the playground before we headed to had early dinner at the Hotel
We decided that we wouldn't attempt The Cape (Cape York) we felt the boys were to young and our main reasoning being A with his medical conditions help is a long way away, perhaps we can do it on our next trip once A has had surgery. So therefore our next stop..... Mareeba
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