Cooktown

Description

Cooktown is a small frontier town located in the far north of Tropical North Queensland. Cooktown boasts a unique character, based on its years of geographic isolation and hard life, but it's 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.

Property Details

Activities

• Animal Watching
• Birdwatching
• Camping
• Fishing
• Golfing
• Off Road Driving

Other Information

Disabled:
Disabled facilities are accessible in most business and tourist venues. Contact the visitors centre for more information.

Peninsular Development Road -334 kilometres Inland Road/Bloomfield Track - 248 kilometres Coastal Road
Cooktown ( 10 Kilometres )
Further Details:
Please note that Alcohol Restrictions apply for some Indigenous Communities within Queensland. For further information visit www.mcmc.qld.gov.au/community/restricted.php .

Access Information:
Regular air and coach services are available from Cooktown. A taxi service is also available in town.

Access Information:
From Cairns take Highway 1, the Kennedy Highway through scenic Kuranda to Mareeba. Officially opened in March 2006, the fully sealed inland route then follows the Mulligan Highway north from Mareeba all the way to Cooktown. Several lookouts along the way offer expansive vistas of lush valleys and sparsely vegetated hillsides.
Roadhouses along the way are located at Mt Carbine, Palmer River and Lakeland Downs. Keep an eye out for wildlife and livestock along the roadsides as some sections are unfenced.

Further Details:
Cooktown is the gateway to the Heritage Wilderness of the Cape York Peninsular and the Great Barrier Reef. Founded in 1873 as a port for the Palmer River Gold fields, it has a rich history of European settlement, Aboriginal, cultural and natural historical developments. Every June the town celebrates with a re-enactment of the landing of Captain Cook to repair the Endeavour after striking the reef. An Aboriginal dance and cultural festival is also held bi-annually at near by Laura. Today fishing and tourism are the main industries. A variety of tours and self-drive adventures can be arranged. All modern town services are available as well as comfortable and affordable accommodation to suit all budgets.