Places in Cooktown Queensland

There is a fair bit in this town with a beautiful setting - you only need to have a look at the almost 360 degree views from up the Grassy Hill.

But more than anything, this town has some unique history, found nowhere else in Australia.

It's the place for captain James Cook's longest stay in Australia, so the most unique things to see are his landing point in the riverfront park, and the story displayed in the excellent James Cook Museum.


Later came the gold rush, and you can see the history of that in places like the Powder Magazine and the historical cemetery.


And in case you are not into the history - there is always the wharf - some of the best fishing in Cape York!

Waterfront Parks in Cooktown

The James Cook landing point is on the waterfront near the mouth of Endeavour River, along with the Aboriginal Milby Wall, a statue of James Cook, a monument for him, a canon from the times of fear for a Russian invasion, and Queen's steps - commemorating Her visit in 1970 - for Bicentennial celebrations.
 

North and West from the Waterfont Parks

Further north is Cook's Landing Cafe and the famous Fishermans Wharf building with some great places to eat. The wharf itself is very popular with fishing. 



North of the wharf is the old Powder Magazine that was built to store gunpowder that was used at Palmer River Goldfields. NEW 2017 - there is now the new Foreshore Park.



One block back from the waterfront is James Cook Museum - one of the best museums in Australia. It has his original anchor as well as the Aboriginal version of the story, and lots and lots of different displays and items from around the area.



North is Grassy Hill Lookout with some great views over Endeavour River and Cooktown. Cook's crew climbed the hill and there is a statue for the first kangaroo they spotted.



You can walk from the hill to Cherry Tree Bay and Finch Bay, and to the Cooktown Botanic Gardens. It's one of the most beautiful walks in town, with some nice coastal views.



Botanic Gardens (of course you can drive here too) there are some different sections with a few different vegetation types, and a statue of amethystine python - the largest snake in Australia. Here is also the town's tourist information centre, a cafe and a souvenir shop.

South from the Waterfont Parks

South from the waterfront parks you walk past some beautiful old buildings in Charlotte St. There is the Jackey Jackey Store, the Old Bank, the town's two pubs, the ticket office of the old Cooktown - Laura Railway.



South of Charlotte Street is the historical Cooktown Cemetery. It's a great place for a stroll and a look around - there are different sections such as Anglican, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Chinese.



East of the cemetery are some streets with some more old buildings, and from here, you can walk (or drive) to Mt Cook.



You can climb up to Mt Cook, but in parts the climb is steep.



The views from the top are beautiful.

Endeavour River 

Endeavour River is just north of Cooktown.

It was here that Captain James Cook landed and stayed for weeks to repair his ship that had got stuck on coral reef.

The crew stayed long enough that it became known as the "first European settlement" on this continent.

Today, the river is very popular with fishing, and some great tropical fish can be caught from here.

Cooktown Wharf is the most popular place to fish in Cooktown, but there are many other spots from which you can reach the river and throw your line in.



The river mouth is right in town, and close to the wharf is also a boat ramp.



Drive out of the town in the northern direction and you see the national park signs - the coastal area north of the river is protected in the Endeavour River National Park.



Turn into Marton and there is another boat ramp.



Take a boat out for a ride, and you may even spot a crocodile :-)

Plan Your Trip... the FREE Cape York Travel Pocket Guide

Get this 50 pages guide totally for FREE. It contains information that helps you getting started with planning of your trip. You get to make early-stages desicions such as when to go, how long time you should take, how to get there and get around, where to stay (general info), what will it cost.. and a short insight to what is there to see and do in Cape York.

Plan and Bring to the Trip... the full Destination Cape York Travel Guide

This complete 300 pages travel guide is all you need before and during your trip. Besides the background chapters on the peninsula's history and wildlife; and the comprehensive detail about all the places (down to prices, opening hours and full contact detail), it has invaluable information on at least 10 four wheel drive tracks, at least 30 guaranteed FREE camping spots on the Cape (and at least 150 on your way to the Cape), at least 40 best swimming holes, all mapped; as well as practical things - from fuel, roads, wireless internet and mobile phone reception, how to deal with the national parks booking rules; and Aboriginal land entrance and camping permits and alcohol restrictions - to vehicle preparation and accessories and necessary recovery gear by my vehicle-recovery-guy partner). Not to mention locals' tips on how to spot that croc and palm cockatoo ;-)

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