Laura and the rock art galleries in the Quinkan Country are today’s destinations.

The road back to Lakeland passes through a mix of low ranges and tropical woodland of the large leaved Eucalyptus alba.

There is a significant amount of agriculture around Lakeland and into the Laura River valley. This is a view east towards the coastal range.

Huge banana plantations are found around Lakeland.

The Great Dividing Range runs along the western side of the valley.

We see masses of red tailed black cockatoos in paddocks beside the road.

The quality road passes through woodlands and low ranges.

Nearing Laura, we reach Split Rock galleries where famous Quinkan art can be viewed. Three galleries are open to the public with an honesty box system.

The art sites are reached by a short steep hike up from the Peninsula Development Road. The rock paintings and engravings are worth the effort.

Around Laura, the magnetic termite mounds become abundant. They run north-south so the termites can have some control of the temperatures in the mound.

The road to Old Laura Station in Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park is a well maintained gravel road until a rocky creek crossing with water cautions us to turn back to Laura.

An over-enthusiastic traveller to the Cape wanted to get there in one day and sent a large rock into our windscreen.

We did see a white-breasted sea eagle eating road kill on the Old Laura Road.

Black falcons (? – corrections welcome) are common usually wheeling around in search of food.

Galahs are found in large numbers.

Native kapoks are common and add splashes of colour to the dry bushland.

Grasshoppers of unusual colours and patterns are active.

Back to Cooktown and an orchid is flowering near the pool area of our accommodation – probably a hybrid of the Cooktown orchid.

The warm glow of sunset on the main street of Cooktown from our balcony.