• A BEAUTIFUL, UNSPOILT, SMALL HISTORIC COASTAL TOWN ON THE REEF

    A BEAUTIFUL, UNSPOILT, SMALL HISTORIC COASTAL TOWN ON THE REEF

  • MYSTERIOUS BLACK MOUNTAINS A SPECIAL STORY PLACE FOR KUKU YALANJI PEOPLE

    MYSTERIOUS BLACK MOUNTAINS A SPECIAL STORY PLACE FOR KUKU YALANJI PEOPLE

  • GUIDED ABORIGINAL ROCK ART TOURS

    GUIDED ABORIGINAL ROCK ART TOURS

Connect with COOKTOWN AND CAPE YORK

Explore Cape York Peninsula including Cooktown

Welcome to the remote, unspoilt beauty of Cape York Peninsula. Captain Cook's arrival on the banks of the Endeavour River in 1770 led to his first recorded meaningful contact and reconciliation with Aboriginal people. Discover this unique history and Cooktown's colourful past on a stroll around town, then head further north up the Peninsula to experience the raw beauty of one of Australia's last true frontiers.

Where to Go

Renown for some truly adventurous 4WD experiences and great outdoor camping, Cape York Peninsula is a favourite with keen fishing enthusiasts, history buffs and those getting away from it all. Avid birdwatchers come from around the world and nature lovers are stunned by the raw beauty of this tropical wonderland. The lush tropical rainforests and vast stretches of savannah country with rivers and wetlands, are just some of the features of Cape York's wild landscapes. From rugged ranges and unique wildlife, to stunning sunrises over the Great Barrier Reef and fiery sunsets in the west, explore the incredible history, spirit that make the Cape York Peninsula such a memorable holiday destination.

Where to Stay

Whether you plan to take a self-sufficient camping holiday or indulge yourself on a luxurious deserted island, follow the backpacker trail or seek a rainforest retreat there is a variety of accommodation options to suit all budgets in Cooktown and Cape York Peninsula. Cooktown has a variety of accommodation options including caravan parks and campgrounds in beautiful natural surroundings, working cattle station and farmstays, comfortable hotels and motels and nearby rainforest retreats. There is a choice of farmstay, cabin and camping accommodation in the Hopevale and Elim Beach area, and camping, cabin and simple hotel accommodation at Lakeland and at Laura.

What to Do

Cooktown and Cape York Peninsula has a wealth of natural beauty, a rich and diverse Aboriginal culture and colourful pioneering history. Take your time to appreciate the diversity of the landscape and spend time with the traditional custodians of the land who know this country best. Immerse yourself in the Great Outdoors, whether fishing, camping, bush walking, bird watching or exploring the excellent cultural centres, rock art galleries and museums. You will cherish the sense of freedom and the friendly, relaxed atmosphere found throughout the region.

Whats On

26

Jan

Cook Shire Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony

The Cook Shire community is invited to join Council in celebrating Australia Day and recognising the outstanding contributions of local individuals and groups who help ma...

12

Jun

Black Mountain Unplugged Picnic

The Picnic is our small BMUP gig. It's focused as an easy weekend away with 2 nights of crazy good live music and lazy days of good food and coffee, spacious camping, and...

14

Aug

Black Mountain Unplugged - BMUP 15

It's bigger (but still small comparatively) - it has a main stage and a rainforest stage (the Tartree Stage), it has art, food and clothes stalls, it has more performers and runs for longer. it has the infamous DRAG VOLLEY BALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, it also has the rather mad SUNDAY NIGHT of the Question or Riff show and the closing Vinyl Discotheque.

2

Oct

Black Mountain Unplugged - Outbakistan

Is our culmination gig. The hectic year can finally rest and begin the wind-down around the shady and cool late dry season of the Tar Tree Stage, as we showcase the essence of the Far Far North. It will be small and cosy, comfy and chilled (and who knows what else). We are really excited about this! Getting flashbacks already of the original BMUP all those years ago.