Cooktown


Travel Stops

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Local Events

* Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival
* Brunch and Live Jazz Session
* Glenella Ballroom Dancing
* Hawaiian Fire Show
* Richmond Campdraft


Attractions

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Places to see

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Tours

* Ahoy! Plane-Sailing Seaplanes
* Cooper Creek Wilderness Daintree Rainforest Tours
* Guurrbi Tours
* Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours
* Masons Tours Cape Tribulation
Australia Travel Guide > QLD > Tropical North > Destinations > Cooktown, QLD Australia

Cooktown


AddressCooktown
Queensland, Australia

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.

ActivityBirdwatching, Bush Tucker, Bushwalking, 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.
ExperienceAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Adventure, Beach, Caravan and Camping, Cruise, Farm Stay, Fishing, Flora/Fauna, Historic/Heritage, Marine, Nature based, Nightlife/Clubs/Pubs/Casinos, Outback, Rainforest, Reef, Sport.


Accommodation near Cooktown
Last minute hotel deals
Save up to 70%
 
Full
Rate
  HOT DEALS       HOT DEALS     HOT DEALS
Daintree Cloud 9
 
$ 400                             
Mai Tai Resort
 
$ 290                             
Daintree Cape Tribulation Heritage Lodge
 
$ 205                             
Cape Tribulation Resort & Spa
 
$ 350                             
Ferntree Rainforest Lodge
 
$ 275                             
Tranquility on the Daintree
 
$ 300                             
Daintree Rainforest Retreat
 
$ 180                             
Daintree Escape
 
$ 135                             
Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa
 
$ 598                             
Out of the Blue at Newell
 
$ 350                             



 



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