QUEENSLAND29COOKTOWNAND SURROUNDS The Bloomfield Track from Cape Tribulation(accessible only by 4WD vehicle) follows therainforest as it weaves its way to Cooktown.Captain Cook spent a number of weeks hererepairing the 'Endeavour' as it made itsunexpected stop on the Great Barrier Reef andin the local museum you will find bits ofmemorabilia, including the old anchor from thevessel. A hundred years later the town becamerather rowdy as gold was discovered but todayit is much quieter and a superb base from whichto explore. Black Mountain National Park is anarea shrouded in Aboriginal legends andgalleries of rock art can be found here. Thedeserted coast at Archers Point plays host tobreeding turtles (October and February), whilst avisit to the wetlands at Keatings Lagoon offersbird watcher's an array of migrating birds.Nature is the entertainer and although there areplenty of marked walks, the region is bestexplored in the company of an Aboriginal guide. Mungumby Lodge,Near CooktownThis lodge, south of Cooktown, is on the northernedge of the Daintree Rainforest. Timber bungalowsare set amongst the beautiful gardens that arecrammed with a dazzling array of tropical plant andbird life. The main lodge is spacious with open livingareas and overlooks Mungumby Creek. The friendlyservice here puts guests at ease and the hosts arehappy to arrange tours to satisfy your interests.Rainforest,island & rock artCombining the World Heritage listed DaintreeRainforest and the northernmost reaches ofAustralia's Great Barrier Reef, staying in some of itsmost stylish and secluded accommodation.Day 1:Drive north from Cairns to CapeTribulation and cross the Daintree River.Day 2:Spend the day cruising, swimming andsnorkeling on the magnificent GreatBarrier Reef.Day 3:Take a guided walk through the DaintreeRainforest and take the opportunity tolearn about the many rare and protectedspecies that inhabit the area.Day 4:Fly via Horn Island to Poruma Island.Days 5/6/7:Three days to do as little or as much asyou please. Swimming is fantastic in theclear waters as the reef and corals brushthe beach outside your lodge. Day 8:Return to Cairns.EXTENSIONThis unique journey will take you to Cooktown andbeyond, through areas of ancient rock art, desertedbeaches and stunning coastlines.Day 1:Fly to Cooktown over the sublime bluewaters of the Great Barrier Reef, onarrival the rest of the day is yours toexplore the area.Day 2:Travel deep into Aboriginal country,viewing rock art and learning of thehistory and legends of this fascinatingculture. Visit the deserted coastlinewhere you may be lucky enough to seenesting turtles. Day 3:Enjoy an afternoon tour of Cooktownand visit Keatings Lagoon, a favouritewith migratory birds. Return to Cairns.tailor-made travelAll our travel arrangements are on a private,individual basis to offer you complete freedom ofchoice. The itineraries and accommodation optionsthroughout the brochure are designed to give you aflavour of what is possible and can be tailor-made tosuit your preferences. Prices vary according toselected accommodation and season. Please callour Australia specialists on 01869 276 345 todiscuss your individual requirements.Mungumby LodgeTORRES STRAITISLANDSThis string of palm islands likened to steppingstones, divides Australia and Papua NewGuinea. Torres Strait Islanders are of Melanesiandescent and the islands are geographicallydiverse, some with rocky mountain tops, othersa collection of coral cays or of volcanic origin. Ahandful of these islands are inhabited and fewpermit visitors, one of which is the capital andone-time pearling hub - Thursday Island,another is Poruma. This narrow coral cay, a milelong but less than a third as wide, has just onevillage. With homes encased by strands ofbougainvillea and hidden by pink frangipanitrees this unspoilt island extends a genuinelywarm welcome and an experience like no other.Poruma Island Lodge,Torres Strait IslandsTwo enormous open-plan timber lodges with lovelyverandas face the island's best beach - a long sandyspit. An elevated bedroom with a soaring thatch roofensures the air is cool and breezy and a plunge pooltakes the sting out of the sun. Snorkelling here ismagnificent as warm waters and few pollutantsresult in a perfect undersea world. Spend the dayfishing with the locals, head out to one of the islandsthat dot the horizon, take a walk through the villageor simply relax on the beach. Whatever you choose,this very different culture presents altogetheranother side of Australia.Poruma Island LodgeCooktownPoruma Island

Sweeping from Lady Elliott in the southto beyond Haggerstone Island in thenorth are the islands of the GreatBarrier Reef. Some are tiny specks,others little more than sandy cay swirls,crowded with seabirds, whilst severalare densely vegetated and encased inrock. Dip below the surface and you'llfind tufts of brilliant blue, vibrant greenbrain coral and swirling tentacles, thetips of which glow like lights on aChristmas tree. Washed by the warmwaters of the south-west Pacific Oceanthis perfect environment is consideredto be in such pristine condition that it isprotected by the UNESCO WorldHeritage Trust to ensure that its futurebeauty is maintained. Out of 2,000islands less than 20 accommodatevisitors, and standards range fromremote luxury resorts to basic campsites. A handful of our favourites areshown here and under the WhitsundayIslands section on pages 32 and 33.Some of the islands have been chosenfor their privacy, others for thedistinctive nature experience they offer,engaging you in a relaxing yetstimulating stay. Alternatively, you canvisit a number of islands on a cruise orby hiring a yacht.30Lizard Island One of the most northerly islands of the GreatBarrier Reef, this is perhaps also the mostexceptional. Take a picnic hamper and motoriseddinghy to explore one of twenty-four superb beacheswith which the island has been blessed. Anchor off asecluded beach, take a short swim and withinminutes you will be floating over vivid underwatergardens where you can discover giant clams, manya metre long and more than a hundred years old.Renowned for its diving, at the famous 'Cod Hole'you'll come face to face with a massive yet curiouspotato cod swimming right up to inspect you withchildlike curiosity. The rocky, mountainous interior isexcellent for bush walking rewarding you withpanoramic views from 'Cook's Look'. It was here thatCaptain Cook once stood trying to chart a coursethrough the maze of reefs which confronted him.There are four different types of guestroom, from the simple yet elegantly furnished Anchor Bayrooms, set within tropical gardens, to the lavishPavilion Suites perched high above the Coral Sea,which combine privacy with a spectacular wrap-around view of Anchor Bay, Osprey Island andSunset Beach. A private plunge pool, day bed andsecluded beach area complete the picture. Theentire island is a national park and is the ultimateplace in which to relax and unwind, and isconsidered to be one of the most beautifulhideaways in Australia.Dunk Island Known by its first inhabitants as 'Coonanglebah'meaning the 'Island of Peace and Plenty', DunkIsland's first name was far more apt. Whether youwish to soak up the sun on the honey-colouredbeaches flanked by shady palm trees, swim in thetranquil waters or trek into the heart of the island'sdense rainforest searching for colourful wildlife, theisland has something to suit everyone. Anabundance of activities suit families and couplesalike, including a wonderful golf course, a spa andsunset cruises accompanied by the obligatory glassof wine. From the simply furnished Banfield roomsthrough to exclusive Bayview suites, accommodationchoices are available to suit most budgets. DunkIsland is an ideal Barrier Reef base and is right topride itself on being a spectacular tropical island.Great Barrier ReefLizard IslandDunk Island