VISITORS to Queensland’s outback would be forgiven for thinking they’d stepped into a scene from the movie Out of Africa when coming upon The Lion’s Den Hotel.
The historic watering hole is decorated with all kinds of African animals, including its namesake, the majestic lion.
Located 28 kilometres south of Cooktown, The Lion’s Den Hotel first opened in 1875 and is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in Queensland.
Tucked in along the historic Bloomfield Track, its pub has been a mainstay on the landscape for some 147 years.
History stands still when it comes to this old hotel. The building and flooring are all original. The walls, decorated with the signatures of thousands of visitors, would tell quite the story if they could talk.
The signatures are a result of a tradition that began in the early mining days.
The hotel was frequented by miners who worked at the various tin mines around the area. Education and security of personal belongings was limited, so miners began leaving their pay packets at the Lion’s Den, and writing how much money they had spent, or still had, upon the wall.
The hotel’s sturdy timber and iron structure has stood the test of time, which is good because it’s proven to be a tourist thirst trap thanks to the quirky decorations.
Taking a page from the good book, its canteen is aptly named Daniel’s Diner.
You no longer need to keep a tally of your bill on the hotel’s walls as eftpos and other modern conveniences do the job just fine.
If you’re out and about in the far north, it would be worth popping into The Lion’s Den Hotel for a feed or for the historical experience alone.