Cooktown, Queensland

Grassy Hill Lookout, Cooktown Cooktown is a small frontier town located in the far north of Tropical North Queensland. Cooktown boasts a unique character that is evidenced from its years of geographic isolation and hard-living, but it is this local charm that makes it all the more appealing. Add to this the unspoilt natural beauty of the area, and you’ll really feel like you’ve stumbled back in time and across a local secret.

Cooktown is Australia’s first non-indigenous settlement, discovered and settled by Captain Cook and his crew in 1770. Since then, Cooktown has not had it easy. From 1873-83, Cooktown was established as the port for the Palmer River gold rush, which exacerbated race relations between the Europeans, Aboriginals and Chinese. Visit the James Cook Historical Museum to explore Cooktown’s interesting past including the gold rush days and Cook’s voyages.

Another must-see is a visit to Grassy Hill Lookout where you can experience 360 degree views of the countryside and beaches. There is also a walking track from the summit to the nearby beach at Cherry Tree Bay.

Every June the town celebrates Cooktown's status as Australia's first European settlement with the Cooktown Endeavour Festival, which includes a colourful re-enactment of Cook's landing.

In the past, Cooktown could only be accessed by 4WD’s but with the completion of the sealed Cooktown Developmental Road in January 2006, Cooktown is now more accessible to everyone.

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Cape York Peninsula was the first part of Australia to be discovered by Europeans. Yet it remains a near-wilderness offering dramatic mountains, eucalypts, mangroves and rainforests, heathlands, grasslands, swamps and rivers to the adventuring traveller. more

Sparsely populated

The peninsula is one of the least populated areas of Australia. Aside from Cooktown, 235 kilometres north of Cairns, people are scattered among Aboriginal communities, cattle stations and small mining towns.

Touring options

For all its isolation, the Cape presents the holiday choice of a challenging adventure or a comfortable sightseeing experience. Tours leave from Cairns with visits to Thursday Island and Cooktown. Join a tag-along four-wheel drive safari tour or drive your own four-wheel drive vehicle. Allow 10 to 16 days for a return trip. May to October is the best time to travel. Other options are available – such as cruising to Cape York and domestic/chartered flights that leave regularly throughout the week.

Experiences/Activities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander:
Beach:
Caravan and Camping:
Cruise:
Farm Stay:
Fishing:
Flora/Fauna:
Historic/Heritage:
Outback:
Rainforest:
Reef:
Birdwatching:
Bush Tucker:
Caravan and Camping:
Cruising:
Farm/Station:
Fishing - Beach:
Fishing - Deep Sea:
Fishing - Estuary:
Fishing - Game:
Golfing:
Horseriding:
Off Road Driving:
Scenic Flights:
Scuba-Diving:
Self-Guided:
Snorkelling:
Swimming:

Cooktown, Queensland

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Sparsely populated

Touring options

Experiences/Activities

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Cooktown is a small frontier town located in the far north of Tropical North Queensland. Cooktown boasts a unique character that is evidenced from its years of geographic isolation and hard-living, but it is this local charm that makes it all the more appealing. Add to this the unspoilt natural beauty of the area, and you’ll really feel like you’ve stumbled back in time and across a local secret. Cooktown is Australia’s first non-indigenous settlement, discovered and settled by Captain Cook and his crew in 1770. Since then, Cooktown has not had it easy. From 1873-83, Cooktown was established as the port for the Palmer River gold rush, which exacerbated race relations between the Europeans, Aboriginals and Chinese. Visit the James Cook Historical Museum to explore Cooktown’s interesting past including the gold rush days and Cook’s voyages. Another must-see is a visit to Grassy Hill Lookout where you can experience 360 degree views of the countryside and beaches. There is also a walking track from the summit to the nearby beach at Cherry Tree Bay. Every June the town celebrates Cooktown's status as Australia's first European settlement with the Cooktown Endeavour Festival, which includes a colourful re-enactment of Cook's landing. In the past, Cooktown could only be accessed by 4WD’s but with the completion of the sealed Cooktown Developmental Road in January 2006, Cooktown is now more accessible to everyone.
Articles Go to the top! Cape York Peninsula was the first part of Australia to be discovered by Europeans. Yet it remains a near-wilderness offering dramatic mountains, eucalypts, mangroves and rainforests, heathlands, grasslands, swamps and rivers to the adventuring traveller. more Sparsely populated The peninsula is one of the least populated areas of Australia. Aside from Cooktown, 235 kilometres north of Cairns, people are scattered among Aboriginal communities, cattle stations and small mining towns. Touring options For all its isolation, the Cape presents the holiday choice of a challenging adventure or a comfortable sightseeing experience. Tours leave from Cairns with visits to Thursday Island and Cooktown. Join a tag-along four-wheel drive safari tour or drive your own four-wheel drive vehicle. Allow 10 to 16 days for a return trip. May to October is the best time to travel. Other options are available – such as cruising to Cape York and domestic/chartered flights that leave regularly throughout the week.
Experiences/Activities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: Beach: Caravan and Camping: Cruise: Farm Stay: Fishing: Flora/Fauna: Historic/Heritage: Outback: Rainforest: Reef: Birdwatching: Bush Tucker: Caravan and Camping: Cruising: Farm/Station: Fishing - Beach: Fishing - Deep Sea: Fishing - Estuary: Fishing - Game: Golfing: Horseriding: Off Road Driving: Scenic Flights: Scuba-Diving: Self-Guided: Snorkelling: Swimming: