150 years on The Lion’s Den Hotel still roars

Words by Stacy Brown

For 150 years, the Lion’s Den Hotel has survived everything that time – and mother nature – could throw at it. A gateway to the Cape York Peninsula, the icon of Far North Queensland is celebrating 150 years of community, coldies and quintessential FNQ character.

One of the longest continuous licensed pubs in Queensland, the historic watering town in Rossville, 28km south of Cooktown, has welcomed millions of weary travellers through its colourful 150-year history.

Consistently described as a “bucket list” destination, you’ll find this rustic little pub just under three hours’ drive north of Port Douglas.

With its friendly locals, lush rainforest campground, live entertainment and iconic graffitied interior, it’s no surprise the pilgrimage via the inland Mulligan Highway or up the famed 4WD Bloomfield Track via Cape Tribulation is so popular.

Stepping under the spectacular jade vine, and past the legendary Lion that greets every visitor, you’ll find a cold beer and a warm smile from the staff.

Walking around the interior you’ll find the scrawlings of adventurous travellers dating back to the 1970s. If you ask nicely the staff will supply you with a Sharpie and direct you to where you can add your name to the hall of fame.

THE HISTORY

Established in 1875 on the banks of the Little Annan River by Jack and Anna Ross, The Lion’s Den was named after a nearby tin mine.

The legendary story goes that the mine owner named it after finding a young stowaway looking for work in the mine after abandoning a ship in Cooktown, saying to the boy “you look like Daniel in the Lion’s Den”.

The famous signatures that adorn every wall have an historical purpose, dating back to the early mining days.

With so many miners’ camps and transient workers in the area, miners would often leave their pay packets at the Den for security.

Considering this is where they would drink and purchase supplies, it made good sense. They would scrawl how much they spent, what they had left, and purchases they made on the walls of the bar. The very establishment itself keeping a ledger.

The bar was a melting pot, with patrons from all corners of the globe coming to seek their fortune in the nearby mines and today is no different. The staff today are largely international, young backpackers seeking exotic adventure and tales of the Aussie wilderness to take back home.

The hotel remained in the hands of the Ross family until 1964, with multiple owners through the last 50 years. For the last 10 years it has 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 Rossville, Helenvale and Wujal Wujal communities.

WEATHERING THE STORMS

In December 2023, Cyclone Jasper tore through Far North Queensland. While the cyclone itself left minimal damage, the rain that followed devastated much of the area, with flash flooding and landslides wreaking destruction.

Caught unawares by the fast-rising water from the Little Annan, the staff of the Lion’s Den were forced to clamber onto the roof of the pub as floodwater lapped the walls, some three metres high.

Other locals were forced to cling to the tops of trees as huge swathes of debris threatened to destroy any remaining buildings. People clung on for hours in the torrential rain above crocodile infested flood waters before being rescued by helicopter.

When the flood waters receded, the damage was devastating.

The demountable “Donga” accommodation simply floated away and was crushed in the flood water; the safari tents were destroyed and all the kitchen equipment ruined.

Years worth of memorabilia and history were washed away, and what remained was the almost insurmountable task of clean up. The Rossville and Helenvale community came out in force to help get the pub back on its feet.

With significant infrastructure damage and tonnes and tonnes of mud and debris, it is a testament to the dedication of all involved that the pub reopened at reduced capacity on Australia Day, just weeks after the biblical flooding tore it apart.

With help from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority in the form of a Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant, the Lion’s Den was able to relaunch at full capacity in June of 2024.

This October the Lion’s Den marked its 150^th birthday with an entire weekend of family fun, with markets, raffles, games and plenty of its renowned live entertainment.

The punters came out in force, locals and tourists mingling, the floorboards of the deck bouncing under foot as bands took to the stage. A fitting party to celebrate both the history of the pub and the incredible community who have kept the doors open for a century and a half.

Today the pub looks as good as ever. The campgrounds are green and lush, there’s brand new Donga accommodation, and the safari tents sit proudly back in their rightful spots amongst the trees.

Though much of the memorabilia is gone, a new commemorative thong (that’s flip flops, not the other kind of thong) installation has started a new tradition.

The bar is a hive of activity with a parade of tour buses and adventure dirt bike riders, the locals comfortably ensconced in their favourite spot at the bar, live music on the weekends and Judy still tirelessly tending the place that is so important to so many.

The campgrounds are busy with holiday makers, from young families in 4WD rigs doing the big “lap”, Grey Nomads with their top of the range caravans escaping the Southern cold, to weekend warriors with swags rolled out in the shade of a tree.

With no WIFI or mobile reception, make the most of a digital detox in idyllic tropical surrounds.

150 years of history and the future looks bright for this beloved icon of Far North Queensland.

Make tracks to the Lion’s Den Hotel today.