Despite a recent burst of late wet season rain that has left some travellers stranded, a bumper tourist season is expected in Far North Queensland in the weeks and months ahead.
And the authorities have just unveiled the latest attraction which they hope will get travellers reaching for their cameras … a sculpture park.
The $1.2 million park, which features 16 striking artworks designed and developed by communities across Cape York, has just opened at Lakeland on the Mulligan Highway to welcome visitors to the Cape York Peninsula.
Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott told the Cairns Post that the park had been designed in the shape of a map of Cape York, with the footpaths symbolising the region’s roads, and each sculpture reflecting the spirit of the community who designed it, as well as the community’s geographic location on the map.
The park has a ‘gateway’, a traveller information centre, and a rest stop area, as well as the interactive sculpture park.
There are 16 striking artworks at the new park. PIC: Cairns Post
“Lakeland marks the beginning of many Cape York adventures and is a significant tourist junction for the tourism drive market and 4WD adventurers,” said Cr Scott told the Cairns Post. “An important aspect of the project was to highlight what makes the Cape so historically, culturally and ecologically unique … it has been designed to be iconic, interactive, artistic, educational and inspirational.”
While the information centre showcases the history and unique ecology of Cape York, it also addresses environmental challenges including littering, fire, invasive plants and animals and the importance of respecting land owner’s rights.
Cook Shire’s Tourism, Arts and Events manager Sally Eales said the region was fearing up for a bumper tourist season.
“With international travel restrictions easing, this heralds the beginning of what we know will be a sensational tourism season for the whole region,” she said.
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