Lions Den Hotel Travel Articles

We headed out to the historic and iconic Lions Den Hotel for lunch - about 29 km south of Cooktown, off the Mulligan Highway on Shiptons Flat Road. It is open seven days a week from 9am for breakfast lunch and dinner - pizzas are available anytime. Great pub meals with a seasonal menu - we had a steak burger and a Barramundi burger and both were lovely.

This pub was built in 1875 and the walls are covered with signatures, stickers, hats, bank notes etc, that have been collected over the years. There are a number of old wares on display at the Hotel with information on the history of the area- very interesting. The Lions Den Hotel is made from timber and iron and is surrounded by old mango trees and tropical gardens and great wooden verandahs.

Accommodation is available if you wish to spend the night - powered and unpowered camping (caravan) sites and safari style lodge - fuel, gas and ice. It was raining when we visited the Lions Den so we sat on the covered verandah and enjoyed our meal (with beer), relaxing and watching people coming and going - it is a very popular place.  

The Lions Den Camping Ground is located beside the historic Lions Den Hotel - 29 kilometres south of Cooktown on Shiptons Flat Road. It is about 65 kms north of Cape Tribulation via the 4WD Bloomfield Track and is a welcome stopping point when heading north.

Facilities available:

• Powered and unpowered camp and caravan sites. Close to full amenities these grassy sites overlook tropical gardens and have drinkable water. They are big enough to cater for large motorhomes and caravans.
• unpowerd sites are also available along the river and open fires are allowed in designated fire places.
• Dogs are welcome but must be supervised.
• Safari style lodges are built among the trees - made from timber and canvas they can sleep up to 8 people.  
• Dongas (demountables) which sleep up to three people.

All of the accommodation seems to be close to the Lions Den Hotel which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner - pizzas are available all day. There are beautiful trees around the grounds which provide plenty of shade. This looks like a very relaxing place to spend a few days.