Discover Cooktown in Far North Queensland

THERE’S no shortage of things to do in Cooktown, where James Cook landed in 1770 after his ship ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef.

And the old adage “Seen one rainforest, seen ’em all” certainly doesn’t apply here.

Exploring Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula was just a blip on my travel radar until December 2014.

I’d already seen plenty of rainforests and had many other exciting places beckoning. So, I figured that if an opportunity arose to visit Far North Queensland, I’d go. Otherwise, I wasn’t going to make a special effort.

That opportunity arrived after relatives moved to Cooktown in late 2014.

At about the same time, an airline was offering cheap flights from Brisbane to Cairns. Suddenly, that little blip on my travel radar started beaming “visit me”.

When is the best time to visit Cooktown?

I planned my trip for September 2015, well before the summer wet season. However, I’ve since learnt that the monsoon rains bring the landscape and wildlife spectacularly back to life.

Waterfalls are also in full flow during the wet season. As a result, the photographic opportunities can be quite different from those I encountered in September.

Cooktown is accessible by standard vehicle throughout the year, although road conditions can vary during the wet season. Time was limited on my Far North Queensland jaunt, so instead I took a 45-minute flight from Cairns with Hinterland Aviation.

If Cooktown has you thinking about exploring more of North Queensland, you might also enjoy my Magnetic Island day trip, another destination where history, wildlife and tropical scenery come together.

A town shaped by history

Cooktown has a long and layered history. It stretches from its ancient Indigenous heritage through James Cook’s stay on the Endeavour River in 1770 and the Palmer River Gold Rush of the late 1800s.

Today, Cooktown lies about 330 kilometres north of Cairns by road, on the Cape York Peninsula.

For me, what began as little more than a blip on the travel radar turned into a destination well worth exploring. Here are 11 things to do in Cooktown that helped change my mind.

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Top 11 things to do at Cooktown in pictures

1. Visit the botanic gardens.

2. Go crocodile spotting. The best time is during the dry season (July to December) on a low tide when they come out of the water to sun themselves on the river banks. Beware of venturing near the water on beaches and riverbanks where crocs view humans as prey.

Things to do in Cooktown - man at a waterfall

3. Visit the Trevathan Falls just south of Cooktown off the Mulligan Highway.

4. Enjoy spectacular views of Cooktown, the Endeavour River and the Great Barrier Reef from the Grassy Hill Lookout and Lighthouse.

Things to do in Cooktown - Cherry Tree Bay

5. Hike from the Grassy Hill Road to Cherry Tree Bay, Cooktown’s most secluded beach fringed by rainforest and large rock formations.

Things to do at Cooktown - visit Black Mountain

6. Visit the mysterious Black Mountains 25km south of Cooktown on the Mulligan Highway. The mountains of grey granite boulders are culturally significant for the Kuku Yalanji people, and tales abound of people, horses and cattle disappearing, never to be seen again.

Things to do at Cooktown - visit the Lions Den Hotel

7. Have a beer in the Lion’s Den Hotel, built in 1875 on the banks of the Little Annan River. Surrounded by mango trees and rainforests, the historic hotel, built of timber and iron, is famous for its quirky interior.

8. Take a sunset cruise along the Endeavour River.

9. Visit the James Cook Museum, located in the restored Sisters of Mercy convent school building, where artefacts from Captain James Cook’s ship Endeavour and diary extracts are housed. The museum also holds Indigenous Australian and Chinese displays.

10. See Indigenous Australian art, pottery and jewellery at the Wujal Wujal professional gallery near the Bloomfield River.

11. Take a walking tour of the town to see the water fountain, Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery, history centres, Milbi (story) Wall, a statue of Mick the Miner and the interactive Musical Ship. James Cook’s tributes include a statue, a cannon and a monument marking the spot where Cook beached his Endeavour in 1770. Markets are on Saturday mornings near the bowls club.

For a completely different side of regional Queensland, head inland to Winton, where dinosaurs, opals and Waltzing Matilda take centre stage.

Planning your own Australian getaway?

Whether you’re heading north to Cape York, exploring Western Australia or planning a road trip closer to home, a few practical details can make travelling easier.

Travel with peace of mind

Unexpected things can happen even on a well-planned holiday. AllClear Travel Insurance offers travel insurance options for Australian travellers, including cover designed for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
→ Check AllClear Travel Insurance options

Need a car when you arrive?

Having your own wheels can make it much easier to explore beyond the main tourist stops. Avis Australia offers car hire from airports and locations around Australia.
→ Search Avis car hire

Pack smarter for the trip

From packing cubes and organisers to travel bags and accessories, BAGSMART has practical options for keeping luggage organised without taking half the wardrobe along for the ride.
→ Browse BAGSMART travel essentials

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