One of the best things about living in Cooktown is the many different environments to explore right on our doorstep and one of these is Mount Dickson.
The road up the escarpment to Alkoomie Station is a 4WD adventure in itself – “I’m too young to die” was the cry from the back seat – but if you think your car may not make it call ahead and the owners will come down and drive you up to the top.
The views from the homestead looking over the Endeavour Valley to Cooktown and the Coral sea are genuinely breathtaking – however playing footy on the edge of the escarpment is not advised as it’s a long way down to fetch the ball.
Alkoomie is a natural playground and hosts Merilyn and Alan personify true Aussie outback hospitality even down to cooking their guests dinner on a campfire under the stars.
With animals strolling near the homestead you are very aware that this is a working cattle station and guests have the option to go out on a cattle muster however our kids contented themselves with patting the horses and tormenting the chickens.
I have a policy of only sitting on a moving object with an engine attached so declined the offer of a horse riding safari and we spent the day on foot exploring the escarpment and swimming under waterfalls in the stunning natural swimming pools.
What a beautiful day – pristine bush, the chatter of birds, butterflies flitting around our heads, wallabies watching us watching them, constant children’s laughter and those incredible views.
The homestead offers comfortable accommodation and has a fully equipped kitchen, and there’s an annexe which can accommodate a gang of kids so this is a great venue to celebrate special occasions with a group of friends. Further along the escarpment are more basic safari tents again with views to die for.
Words cannot describe what the eye can see but if you enjoy the outdoors and want an adventurous getaway with warm outback hospitality I can guarantee this will be a destination that you find hard to leave.
(But when you do drag yourself away make sure you engage low gear!)
