Spent the full day in and around Cooktown today, starting out with a visit to the Botanical Gardens which also double as the official tourist information centre. Checked on the road conditions for our journey north into Lakefield National Park and beyond. No problems with the roads but we were warned about crocs in an area where there have been recent unexplained mass fish deaths. Apparently the crocs have moved in to take advantage of the easy pickings.
We next headed to Grassy Hill which overlooks Cooktown and out to the Barrier reef. Apparently Captain Cook clambered to the top of this hill during his unscheduled visit in 1770 to search for a clear passage through the reef. Great view over the town and up into the inland reaches of the Endeavour River.
After lunch we headed inland to meet up with Wilfred (our guide for a tour of local rock art) that started at an open cattle gate opposite an alcohol restriction sign. We were joined by another guy a few minutes before Wilfred arrived, right on time. After introductions we drove a few kilometres in convoy to the start of an escarpment looking south west over pristine savannah country.
The tour took us through a series of rock art caves accompanied by a lengthy yet engaging narrative. Pretty soon it became apparent the rock art was just a trigger for discussions on far ranging subjects including the management of alcohol in indigenous communities to supporting kids through boarding school. A great time was had and made all the better by having Wilfred almost all to ourselves to chat about pretty much anything.