Welcome to Cooktown. Located in south-eastern Cape York, Cooktown is the historical 1770 landing site of Captain James Cook, home to ancient aboriginal art as well as some of the best fishing in Australia.
Cooktown has its own domestic airport and is nestled between Mount Cook and the mouth of the Endeavour River, approximately 330 kilometres north of Cairns, or 200 kilometres north of Port Douglas. The exact distance and time it takes to travel to Cooktown varies depending on whether you choose to travel on the inland, all-vehicle Mulligan Highway (ex-Peninsula Development Road), the rugged, 4WD only Bloomfield Road, or arrive by helicopter, light plane or boat.
Cooktown is one of Queensland’s oldest historic towns and being able to immerse yourself in history is one of the main reasons thousands of visitors from all over the globe are drawn to the town every year. Several monuments and a museum showcase carefully preserved relics and information about the area’s rich, historical past from the 1770 arrival of Captain James Cook, to the Palmer River Gold Rush, indigenous art, and influx of Chinese migrants, as well as the region’s botanical history in a display of exotic plants and wildlife.
Ancient aboriginal lands and rock art paintings are another highlight of Cooktown. You can join organised tours departing from Cairns, Port Douglas, The Daintree, Tropical Tablelands and Cooktown,or self-drive to protected aboriginal sites to hear one of the regions great story tellers explain the meaning behind the art, giving a unique insight into Aboriginal spirituality and survival.
Please visit www.cooktownandcapeyork.com for more information on Cooktown.
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On top of history and culture Cooktown is also blessed with stunning, unspoiled natural beauty, great fishing and a laidback, friendly lifestyle. Enjoying the view from
Grassy Hill lookout over the Endeavour river out to the Coral Sea, visiting secluded tropical beaches and battling a barramundi on the Endeavour River also rate as must-do Cooktown
experiences.
Cooktown is accessible by all vehicles year round via the sealed Peninsula Development Road. Occasionally heavy rains in the green season (December-March) block some road crossings, always check road conditions before you travel at
www.racq.com.au
A variety of
accommodation options are available in and around Cooktown including modern motels and motor inns, warm, friendly B&B’s, caravan parks, camping grounds, working cattle stations and farmstays.
Visit Cooktown Tourism Association or Think TNQ for more Cooktown visitor information
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Ancient Aboriginal Art...Be enchanted the magic of the Dreamtime with stories and tours of precious, ancient Aboriginal rock art sites and paintings.
Fishing...From pristine Endeavour and Annan rivers, secluded tropical beaches and the Great Barrier Reef, Cooktown is a fishing paradise. Charter boats are available to fish the reef on half day or extended trips or you can hire a small dinghy or go fishing off the wharf or bank.
Grassy Hill...Walk or drive to the top of Grassy Hill and enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Cooktown and see three of the town’s key monuments; Grassy Hill Lighthouse, Grassy Hill Sundial, and Captain Cook’s Grassy Hill monument.
Walking Trails...There are many walking trails in around Cooktown to suit all fitness levels. Boasting unspoilt beaches, glorious sunsets, native birds and wildlife, the hardest part is choosing which to follow.
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Cape York
Cooktown is an ideal first stop on your adventure through the 11 million hectares of untouched natural beauty, wilderness and ancient indigenous culture that is Cape York.
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Bama Way
An Aboriginal journey from Cairns to north of Cooktown, Bama Way follows story-lines through the two Aboriginal nations of the Kuku Yalanji and Guugu Yimithirr peoples.
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National Parks
Go fishing, camping and bush walking in Cape York's largest national park, Lakefield or try to catch a glimpse of the native Black Mountain Frog at the sacred, traditional aboriginal site, Black Mountain national park.
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Hopevale
Explore the beautiful Endeavour Valley, Barretts Lagoon, Endeavour Falls, Isabella Falls, Elim Beach, Coloured Sands and Hopevale Aboriginal Art Centre.
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