Lakeland
The farming centre of Lakeland Downs (recently, and more commonly, Lakeland) is in the Cook Shire on Western Yalanji country, around the junction of the Peninsula Developmental Road and the Mulligan Highway.
The locality is named after William (Billy) Lakeland and is often promoted as the gateway to Cape York Peninsula. It includes much of Butchers Hill Station, taken up by James Earl in March 1877, the adjacent Springvale Station, and the former West Normanby goldfield.
Significant groundwater supplies feed numerous springs and support irrigation for maize, sorghum, peanuts, bananas, pawpaws, watermelons, and coffee, as well as intensive cattle grazing. Recent developments have introduced a variety of exotic produce, including teak, sandalwood, and African mahogany.
