Cooktown

A visit to Cooktown will have you immersed in rich historical, cultural and natural wonders. Discovered by Captain James Cook during his 1770 east coast voyage, Cooktown was once a bustling gold rush settlement and home to one of Queensland’s busiest ports. 

The town itself sits upon the Great Barrier Reef and is surrounded by secluded beaches, lush tropical rainforest and mountain ranges.

Cooktown is reachable by a sealed road that extends 330km north of Cairns along Mulligan Highway. For those seeking a little more adventure, take a 1 day  4WD along Bloomfield Track from the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest or spend a few days exploring and immersing yourself in the region. Cooktown also has a regional airport and boasts an array of accommodation options suited to your holiday needs, spanning from budget motels to 4-star resorts.

Immerse yourself in the culture and history of Cooktown

• A visit to James Cook Museum is an absolute must when visiting Cooktown. The 1889 historical building originally served as a convent and here you can explore the numerous exhibitions on offer, including the creepy crawly display! 
• Take a stroll through the historic Cooktown Cemetery to a gain a true insight into the town’s dense multicultural history, marvel at the Aboriginal art collage of Milibi Wall and discover the numerous galleries in town.
• Each year, Cooktown plays host to the three-day Cooktown Discovery Festival that commemorates the landing of Captain Cook and his encounter with the local indigenous Guugu Yimithirr people. In 2020, the town will host a 48-day festival to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Cook's landing.

Outdoor adventures

• Book a scenic flight to explore the sights of Cooktown or to spend the day on Lizard Island
• From Cooktown board an air-conditioned aircraft for a day tour to the tip of Australia to see Cape York 
• Explore the monuments at the top of Grassy Hill Lookout and marvel at the stunning 360-degree view of the surrounding coastline and lush rainforest. From here, we highly recommend following the walking trail through to Cherry Tree Bay, one of the many secluded beaches in the area. Don’t forget to spot for Dolphins or Dugongs!
• Cooktown’s Botanic Gardens are also well worth a visit. The gardens are home to Nature’s Powerhouse which acts as the town’s visitor information centre. The centre boasts numerous galleries, exhibitions and an on site café. Relax in the gardens, enjoy a picnic or follow the walking track to Finch Bay for a spot of fishing or simply to laze the day away on the white sands.
• If you are seeking a more strenuous yet rewarding hike, Mount Cook offers a number of walking trails not for the faint-hearted. You will need a day to venture along many of these hikes but expect to be rewarded with fantastic views of the mountain ranges and Great Barrier Reef.
• If fishing is on your holiday to do list then you’ve come to the right place. Cooktown River and the many off shore reefs offer world class fishing well known for Barramundi, Coral Trout and if you are lucky, the infamous Black Marlin.
• In town, Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular local spot with a number of charters and boat hire options available. The wharf is also a great place to watch the sun set over the Wild North.