Cairns to Cooktown

A nice route that shows the diverse range of scenery in Far North Queensland. A word of caution, this route is challenging and goes through some sparsely populated areas with long sections of limited water available and limited mobile phone overage. It also gets pretty hot so do not do not undertake unless you have the required fitness and pre-arranged support including food and water. The start is from the RSL on the Cairns esplanade. From there travel up the Captain Cook Highway to Criaglie. This road is busy with not much room for bicycles so it is best traveled in the early hours before the traffic picks up. You then pass through cane growing country of Mossman before turning left just south of Mossman and starting the first climb of the day up the Rex range. The Rex range is a nice climb and depending on the time of day you get to enjoy beautiful scenery looking back to the Mossman coastal areas. Once up on the tablelands you travel through the township of Julatten and into Mount Molloy turn off. There is an optional visit into Mount Molloy to resupply or turn left on the Mulligan Highway and head to Mount Carbine. Mount Carbine has a mine, pub and road house and is the last place to refuel until Palmer River. After Mt Carbine you head slightly downhill to the second climb of the day Desailly Range. This is a steep climb but you are well rewarded with stunning scenery. Once crested it is a undulating ride through drought-parched savannah country to Palmer River Roadhouse for a restock of supplies. After Palmer River you continue with undulating climbing up to the top of the Byerstown Range and enjoy a very nice descend into Lakeland for a well earned lunch. There is some beautiful cycling from Lakeland to Cooktown but two milestones are Black Mountain and crossing the Annana River just south of Cooktown. One final small climb into Cooktown and all that remains is to get your picture taken beside the Captain James Cook Monument and a nice cupa in the sleepy town of Cooktown while reflecting on a major cycling achievement. Elevation: 2816 m