Lakeland sculpture park highlights Cape York diversity

A striking new tourist attraction on the well travelled road to Cape York has been unveiled and promises to be highly Insta-worthy. CHECK OUT WHERE

TRAVELLERS to Cape York have a new reason to stop at Lakeland with the opening of the Gateway to Cape York sculpture park featuring 16 striking artworks designed and developed by communities across the Cape..

The park has a “gateway”, a traveller information centre, a rest stop area and as well as the interactive sculpture park showcasing Cape York communities..

The $1.2m project at Lakeland on the Mulligan Highway welcomes visitors to Cape York Peninsula.

Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott said the park had been designed in the shape of a map of Cape York, with the park’s 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.

Welcome Wedge Tail Eagle by Orionne Albert-Mitchell, at the Lakelands Gateway to Cape York sculpture park on the Mulligan Highway. Picture: supplied.

“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 said.

“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,” he said.

The information centre showcases the history and unique ecology of Cape York, while addressing 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 a bumper tourist season was anticipated.

“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, adding the park was ideal for Instagram pictures.

A total of $20m has been earmarked by the state government to snap up Cape York land that will be added to existing national parks to create a one-million-hectare protection zone.

The latest funds form part of a $38.5m package.

New funding follows the acquisition of Bramwell Station for a reported $11.5m in 2021 and adjoining property the 131,900ha Richardson Station 630 kilometres northwest of Cairns, in February.

Originally published as Lakeland sculpture park highlights Cape York diversity