Page 24 - Port Douglas Magazine 46

history.

THE

For 150 years, the Lion’s Den Hotel has survived

everything that time – and mother nature –
LION’S could throw at it. A gateway to the Cape York
Peninsula, the icon of Far North Queensland is
DEN celebrating 150 years of community, coldies and

quintessential FNQ character.

Words by Stacey Brown

One of the longest continuous licensed pubs in Queensland, the historic The hotel remained in the hands of the Ross family until 1964, with
watering town in Rossville, 28km south of Cooktown, has welcomed multiple owners through the last 50 years. For the last 10 years it has
millions of weary travellers through its colourful 150-year history. been owned by Judith Fry, who has poured heart and soul into keeping
the authentic spirit of the Lion’s Den, which is the vital hub of the local

Consistently described as a “bucket list” destination, you’ll find this rustic Rossville, Helenvale and Wujal Wujal communities.
little pub just under three hours’ drive north of Port Douglas. With its friendly In October 2025 the Lion’s Den marked its 150th birthday with an entire
locals, lush rainforest campground, live entertainment and iconic graffitied WEATHERING THE STORMS weekend of family fun, with markets, raffles, games and plenty of its

interior, it’s no surprise the pilgrimage via the inland Mulligan Highway or up renowned live entertainment. The punters came out in force, locals and

the famed 4WD Bloomfield Track via Cape Tribulation is so popular. In December 2023, Cyclone Jasper tore through Far North Queensland. tourists mingling, the floorboards of the deck bouncing under foot as bands

While the cyclone itself left minimal damage, the rain that followed

Stepping under the spectacular jade vine, and past the legendary Lion that devastated much of the area, with flash flooding and landslides wreaking took to the stage. A fitting party to celebrate both the history of the pub and

greets every visitor, you’ll find a cold beer and a warm smile from the staff. destruction. the incredible community who have kept the doors open for a century and

Walking around the interior you’ll find the scrawlings of adventurous travellers Caught unawares by the fast-rising water from the Little Annan, the a half.

dating back to the 1970s. If you ask nicely the staff will supply you with a staff of the Lion’s Den were forced to clamber onto the roof of the pub as Today the pub looks as good as ever. The campgrounds are green and

Sharpie and direct you to where you can add your name to the hall of fame. lush, there’s brand new Donga accommodation, and the safari tents sit
floodwater lapped the walls, some three metres high. Other locals were

THE HISTORY forced to cling to the tops of trees as huge swathes of debris threatened proudly back in their rightful spots amongst the trees. Though much of the

to destroy any remaining buildings. People clung on for hours in memorabilia is gone, a new commemorative thong (that’s flip flops, not the
Established in 1875 on the banks of the Little Annan River by Jack and Anna the torrential rain above crocodile infested flood waters before being other kind of thong) installation has started a new tradition.

Ross, The Lion’s Den was named after a nearby tin mine. The legendary story rescued by helicopter.

goes that the mine owner named it after finding a young stowaway looking for The bar is a hive of activity with a parade of tour buses and adventure dirt

work in the mine after abandoning a ship in Cooktown, saying to the boy “you When the flood waters receded, the damage was devastating. The bike riders, the locals comfortably ensconced in their favourite spot at the

look like Daniel in the Lion’s Den”. demountable “Donga” accommodation simply floated away and was bar, live music on the weekends and Judy still tirelessly tending the place

crushed in the flood water; the safari tents were destroyed and all the that is so important to so many.
The famous signatures that adorn every wall have an historical purpose, dating kitchen equipment ruined. Years worth of memorabilia and history

back to the early mining days. With so many miners’ camps and transient were washed away, and what remained was the almost insurmountable The campgrounds are busy with holiday makers, from young families in
workers in the area, miners would often leave their pay packets at the Den for task of clean up. The Rossville and Helenvale community came out in 4WD rigs doing the big “lap”, Grey Nomads with their top of the range

security. Considering this is where they would drink and purchase supplies, it force to help get the pub back on its feet. With significant infrastructure caravans escaping the Southern cold, to weekend warriors with swags rolled

made good sense. They would scrawl how much they spent, what they had left, damage and tonnes and tonnes of mud and debris, it is a testament to The bar was a melting pot, with patrons out in the shade of a tree.

and purchases they made on the walls of the bar. The very establishment itself the dedication of all involved that the pub reopened at reduced capacity With no WIFI or mobile reception, make the most of a digital detox in
keeping a ledger. from all corners of the globe coming to idyllic tropical surrounds. 150 years of history and the future looks bright

on Australia Day, just weeks after the biblical flooding tore it apart.

The bar was a melting pot, with patrons from all corners of the globe coming to seek their fortune in the nearby mines for this beloved icon of Far North Queensland.

seek their fortune in the nearby mines and today is no different. The staff today With help from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development and today is no different. Make tracks to the Lion’s Den Hotel today

are largely international, young backpackers seeking exotic adventure and tales Authority in the form of a Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant, the
of the Aussie wilderness to take back home. Lion’s Den was able to relaunch at full capacity in June of 2024. lionsdenhotel.net.au
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