Exploring Cairns to Cooktown – 3 Hidden Gems worth a visit

Jul 11

A drive from Cairns to Cooktown is a must if you're visiting Far North Queensland, but like any road-trip it’s good to break it up.

If you’re taking the inland route via Mareeba and Mount Molloy there are a few places that are worthy of a stop. Here’s my list of 3 hidden gems that should be on everyone’s agenda on a road-trip to Cooktown:

1. VISIT! – Mareeba Wetlands

Far North Queensland attracts an amazing array of bird life – Cape York itself is a mecca for bird lovers thanks to its proximity to Papua New Guinea. If you are heading up north to spot something unique then your first stop should be at the Mareeba Wetlands, an oasis sitting in the middle of savannah country.

Mareeba Wetlands is the ideal starting point for an insight into what animals, terrestrial and non-terrestrial, you can expect to see around the Cape York region. Upon our arrival, we were lucky enough to be greeted by a family of emus in the carpark. Gouldian Finches are housed in an aviary at the Visitors centre and we also spotted agile wallabies grazing on the surrounding grass. If you have time on your hands, do the walk around the lagoon (an easy hike that takes 1-2 hours) - most people spot an array of wildlife including the eastern grey kangaroo.

The Visitors centre overlooks Clancy Lagoon and you’ll find some great information on what birdlife frequents the area. Tours operate from the centre and you can partake in an overland safari, hop on a boat tour or even hire a canoe for an hour and explore the lagoon by your own means. If you take advantage of all the features of the Mareeba Wetlands you’ll leave with a good knowledge of what wildlife frequents this region.

2. EAT! – Mount Molloy Café – Lobo Loco

Blink and you’ll miss this little township that used to part of the booming network of mining towns in the region’s hey-day. You wouldn’t think Mount Molloy is renowned for it’s food but travellers in the know veer straight to the quirky little Mexican takeaway 'Lobo Loco', a few doors down from the pub. Owners Angela and Rudy have been running it for years and have gained a reputation for offering food that you won’t find at your standard outback takeaway.

At the Mount Molloy Café you’ll find a distinctive Mexican flavour on the menu, and perhaps the Biggest Burgers in Australia. Devour one of their burgers with ‘the lot’ and you’ll have enough fuel in your tummy to make it up to Cape York and back - most people opt to share. Burritos, enchiladas, tortillas, along with ‘tequila’ are on the menu as well as your standard takeaway fare.

3. STAY! – Bustard Downs Accommodation and Camping – Mary Creek

After taking the ‘grand tour’ of Bustard Downs I am literally ‘busting’ to visit again - this time for a proper sleepover. Bustard Downs is nestled amongst the open plains of what used to be a thriving farming community and offers a variety of accommodation including a campground, self-contained cottages and Bed and Breakfast (B&B) lodging. Wherever you stand on the property your view is of the nearby purple ranges and a forest of paperbarks that adorn the banks of Mary Creek.

There is a spacious campground that offers drive-through covered sites for caravans (no backing into tight spots here), a communal campfire and plenty of space and shade. Nearby are two original farm cottages available for nightly hire – these exude an old-world charm with rustic furniture and fittings that suit the character of the buildings. And to top it all off there is a delicious assortment of foods in the form of pickles, sauces and jams that have come straight from the farm's garden.

Over by the main farmhouse you’ll find the Bed and Breakfast (B&B) accommodation that offers the same rustic charm as the campground cottages only this time you have access to a 20-metre lap pool. Bustard Downs looks like an awesome place to chill and rest before venturing into the rough and ready landscape of Cape York. I know I’m itching to return and check this place out fully - stay tuned for a more thorough review of this place.

Good Things to Know:

The Mareeba Wetlands is located an hours drive from Cairns, just north of Mareeba
Access to the Mareeba Wetlands Visitor Centre is free – the tours, walks and canoe hire will cost.
The best time of the day for spotting animals around the Mareeba Wetlands is early morning and late afternoon– the Visitors Centre is open from 9am-4pm
When water is scarce (often at the end of the dry season) the Mareeba Wetlands is a veritable Oasis for spotting a huge array of birdlife - Click HERE for the Reserve's calendar.
Mount Molloy is approximately an hour and a half drive from Cairns (30-minutes north of Mareeba).
Bustard Downs is a 15-minute drive north of Mount Molloy (approximately a 2-hour drive from Cairns).
Bustard Downs is a 220 acre Australian Certified Organic cattle property which offers a variety of accommodation along with Free WiFi.