Cooktown

Capt Cook at sunset

Our history is just the beginning...

Cooktown is one of Queensland's hidden gems - a beautiful, unspoilt coastal town, and one of Australia's most historically significant townships. This is where Lt James Cook found safe haven in 1770 to repair his ship, the "HM Bark Endeavour", and where the First Reconciliation took place between Europeans and the Guugu Yimithirr people.

A century later, Cook's Town was built on the banks of the river where that historic meeting took place. A bustling new port and community grew from a ramshackle tent city to service the mining camps of Queensland's largest gold rush on the Palmer River. The gold soon disappeared, but Cooktown hung on, surviving economic decline and two devastating cyclones, to emerge as one of Tropical North Queensland's best kept secrets.

Today Cooktown has a population of 2,000, and the town is growing again as word spreads of its beautiful location and the friendliness of its people. With the completion of the Mulligan Highway in 2006, the town is now easily accessible by road and air, yet its remote location, stunning landscapes and laid-back lifestyle give it a distinctly frontier feel - the very essence of Australia!

Feel the history...

There is evidence of Cooktown's colourful past all over town, and many places of interest can be seen with a leisurely stroll, or on an informative historical town tour. Don't miss the world-class James Cook Museum, learn more about the town's history at the Cooktown History Centre, and see the Chinese Shrine at the Cooktown Cemetery. Look out for the Leopard Tank in Anzac Park, the Chinese Monument and Mick the Miner statue both near the wharf, and the Captain Cook Statue in Bicentennial Park.

And at the end of the day head for Grassy Hill. This is where James Cook stood to search for a passage through the Reef. It's everyone's favourite place, and the views at sunset are breath-taking.

Connect with culture, ancient and living...

This is an area rich in Aboriginal culture, with some of the best Aboriginal tours in the country. See the Milbi Wall at the Wharf, see local Aboriginal art and crafts, visit an Aboriginal culture centre, see ancient rock art and learn about the land from its traditional custodians - they know this country best.

Know the excitement...

This region is famous for it world-class fishing, with its pristine rivers, estuaries and the Great Barrier Reef close by. You can hire a boat, take a fishing trip, or simply throw a line off the Wharf with the locals. Whether you're a seasoned fisherman or a beginner, you're bound to catch something! Buy the local paper on a Wednesday, and you'll see some of the week's impressive catches on display.

Learn about our environment...

Stroll around around Australia's oldest Botanic Gardens and call in at Nature's Powerhouse to see the galleries and environmental displays. This is Cooktown's Visitor Information and Booking Centre, so a must-visit to find out what's happening in the region.

Finch Bay - Pam Davey

Savour the remote wilderness...

This is an area of diverse landscapes, flora and fauna, with a wide range of wonderful bush and beach walks and scenic drives. You'll find rainforest, Outback, hilltop Savannah, fresh and tidal wetlands, grasslands, heathlands, untouched beaches and hidden waterfalls. So allow plenty of time to explore! Find the places only the locals know on a guided 4WD tour.

Stay a while...

Cooktown has a wide range of accommodation - hotels, farmstays, rainforest lodges, cattle stations, caravan and campsites, a good choice of cafes and restaurants, and all the essential shops and services. We may be small, but you'll be surprised at what you find here!

Use our easy to follow guide to walk around the centre of Cooktown

Call 1800 174 895 for Visitor Information and Bookings