Last Updated: January 17, 2022
20 Things to do in Cooktown, Australia
Australia is an exciting destination world-renowned for some of the craziest animals known to man. It’s usually a pick between the large cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or maybe places on the Central Coast of NSW, or even Central Australia. But Australia is filled with surprises other than the occasional spider in your shoe. While the country is famous for wide-open spaces, beaches, deserts, “the bush”, and “the Outback”, there is a little gem up in the north that should be on your bucket list: Cooktown in Queensland, Australia.
A 2,000 km drive from Brisbane and nearer to Papua New Guinea than Sydney, it’s easy to understand why Cooktown is usually glossed over on travel itineraries. However, this historic coastal town is a beautiful fishing destination with an interesting story to tell. With a population of just around 2,000, this town is unspoiled by the hurried development of urban life. Take a break from big chain stores and the noise of the city and ease into the relaxing pace of Cooktown.
Here are 20 things to do in Cooktown…
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1) Find out what’s behind the name
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Cooktown comes from Captain James Cook, a European explorer that ran aground on nearby reefs off the coast. He also holds the claim of the first European contact with indigenous people living in the region. From this point, Cooktown has a very well-documented history that chronicles its development as a bustling port and gold exporter. Your first stop should be plenty of time in the James Cook Museum. It has world-class exhibits, including the anchor and cannon from the HMS Bark Endeavour. You will also find the story of Cook’s arrival as told by the Guugu Yimithirr people.
2) Walk the footsteps of history
Head to Charlotte Street in the afternoon and walk in the footsteps of Captain Cook. Along this street is a line of historical buildings and sites in keeping with the theme of Cooktown history. Here you will also find the Cooktown History Centre. Run by the Cooktown & District Historical Society, the center is housed in the oldest building in Charlotte Street erected in 1875. Filled with stories, photos, interactive displays, murals and oral histories, the exhibitions walk visitors through historic railway, early roads, early families, and life of the local indigenous people.
3) Go wild at the Lions Den Hotel
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The Lions Den Hotel is a necessary pitstop when in Cooktown. This landmark hotel was established in 1875 and has its history literally written all over its walls. The tradition started when miners wrote on the walls to keep track of their tab. Since then, guests have been welcome to write notes and add to the already quirky decor of the place.
You can just chill out at the restaurant with an ice-cold beer, but there’s a whole lot to do here, too. It’s built on the Bloomfield Track, which makes it a great place for some 4WD action. It’s also a great place for camping with a view of the Little Annan River and is surrounded by century-old mango trees. There are also safari-style lodges for more comfortable accommodations. It’s a great place for families as well with a children’s playground, natural swimming holes and beautiful grounds overlooked by mysterious Black Mountain.
4) Stop and smell the roses (and a whole lot more) at the Botanic Garden
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On the edge of Cooktown is an expansive 154-acre property filled with fauna and flora. The Botanic Garden is open all year round and has an impressive variety of flowers in bloom during different times of the year. The Cooktown Orchid, Queensland’s State Emblem, is in full bloom in May. It also maintains several collections and living museums. The Solander Garden is the primary living collection of the Botanic Gardens. It is home to 325 plants collected by Sir Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander during their journey on the Bark Endeavour with Captain Cook at the Endeavour River in 1770.
5) Find out more about Cooktown at Nature Power House
After strolling through the Botanic Garden, make your way to Nature’s Powerhouse. It’s situated within the garden is also Cooktown’s official Visitor Information Center. Here you can understand the landscape and layout of Cooktown and plot your vacation well. It also has a lot of information about the flora and fauna unique to the area.
Nature’s Powerhouse holds a priceless collection of botanical illustrations of the flowering plants of the Endeavour River. These were done by world-renowned artist Vera Scarth-Johnson. You can also grab a coffee at the Veranda Cafe or browse through smaller stores for books, local artwork, and souvenirs.
6) Soak in the views from Grassy Hill
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Take a trek up Grassy Hill and be amazed by the stunning panorama of Endeavour River and the coast. It’s also possible to drive to the lookout, so it might be a better option if you’re not extremely fit. Once at the top, however, the 360-degree view is as breathtaking as views can be. It takes its name from the time when the aboriginal tribes burned down the forest to encourage the regrowth of vegetation and attract more animals. By the time Captain Cook arrived in 1770, the hill was already covered in grass. This is also the vantage point that Captain Cook used to view surrounding reefs to look for safe passage out of Cooktown.
7) Take selfies with the Grassy Hill Lighthouse and Sundial
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Aside from stunning views, Grassy Hill also has a lighthouse and sundial.
The lighthouse was built in the UK and shipped to Cooktown in 1885. It was then automated in 1927 and subsequently improved by a radar station in 1942-1945. It was used for 100 years but was dismantled after World War II. It was eventually restored by the Lions Club and is now a monument to learn about the history of the navigational port and the people who serviced it.
The sundial, on the other hand, is actually a “Global Positioning Monument”. It may not tell the time, but it shows the direction towards New York, Tokyo, and London and how far they are from where you’re standing.
8) Uncover the mysteries of Black Mountain
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Nobody really knows if there is truth behind the stories, but Black Mountain is steeped in myths and legends. This ominous mountain looms over travelers as they enter Cooktown and is a well-revered mountain for the Kuku Yalanji people.
The Black Mountain formed about 250 million years ago when magma solidified under the Earth’s crust. Located 25 km to the south of Cooktown, this mountain is filled with gigantic boulders of grey granite, blackened by algae. For the Kuku Yalanji people, the mountain is called the Kalkajaka or “place of the spear”. There are four religious sites for the people, namely Kami, Julbanu, Brimba, and Yirrmbal. There are also many stories about people and animals disappearing in the mountains, taken by mythical creatures.
Despite its eery background, Black Mountain is also a natural wildlife park home to unique species. You can try to find a specie of frog and two lizard species that can only be found here and nowhere else. There are also sightings of wallabies and bats in the park.
9) Spend a day at Cedar Bay National Park
A 40-km trip to the south brings you Cedar Bay National Park. Cedar Bay is also called Mangkalba by the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people. It’s their traditional country which extends to Mossman. The park used to be known for turtle hunting but was then turned into a park marked by its remoteness, flanked by a tropical rainforest and expansive sandy beaches.
Inside the park is the Home Rule Walking Track. This 17 km track is steep and rough but takes you through lush rainforests and possible sightings of the elusive Bennett’s tree kangaroo. It’s also possible to do bush camping near the coastal vegetation, but you have to bring your own gear and acquire the proper permits.
10) Camp out at Elim Beach
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Elim Beach is a stunning campground belonging to Thiithaarr-warra Elder, Eddie Deemal. It is known for the famous Coloured Sands and is a popular weekend spot for locals to go fishing. The expansive beach faces Cape Bedford for panoramic views of the ocean. When it’s low tide, starfish, crabs, and sea cucumbers scatter throughout the shallows. There are several croc sightings around the mangrove areas, but it’s still a very serene place to go camping.
11) Get a tan at Finch Bay
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For more spectacular beaches, go past the Botanic Gardens and bask in the sun at Finch Bay. It’s only a 5-minute drive or a half-hour walk from the town center, making it one of the most popular beaches in Cooktown. The beach at Finch Bay stretches for around 500 meters. However, because we’re talking about Australia, there are crocodile sightings because Alligator Creek and its mangroves cross part of the beach. There are warning signs and alerts all the time, so swimming is still safe for as long as you follow these signals. This creek also separates the bay from the mountains, which lend a beautiful backdrop, especially around sunset.
12) Enjoy fresh seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf
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Along with Finch Bay is the Fisherman’s Wharf. It also serves as the pier and is said to be one of the best fishing spots in Cooktown. Try your hand at fishing and get a nibble on your line. If you don’t get lucky with the fishing, you can also head to Gill’d n’ Gutt’d Takeaway. They serve delicious fish and chips, and everything on the menu is a fresh catch from the wharf.
13) Head to the top of Mount Cook
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Wake up early in the morning and make your way to the top of Mount Cook. The peak rises to 431 meters and dominates the skyline. It’s not a particularly difficult climb and can be done in half a day. The trek begins at the end of Hannam Street and through different ecological zones for a variety of outdoor experiences in one go. There is a steep 2-km climb, but the rest of the trek is manageable.
14) Take a long, long walk at the Bicentennial National Trail
The Bicentennial National Trail is not meant to be done in one go as it winds through the length of the country. It’s the longest marked and non-motorized trekking route in the world that stretches 5,330 kilometers. The Trail goes through 18 National Parks and stretches from Cooktown in North Queensland to Healesville in Victoria.
The trail is meant to be self-reliant, so you can take parts of the trail without a guide. Through this Trail, trekkers follow ancient routes taken by Australia’s early pioneers aboard coaches, through old packhorse trails, and country roads. Along the way, you’ll see historic sites and artifacts to serve as an educational trail for visitors. The experience is vast and diverse, going through mountains, rainforests, valleys, dry plains and alpine meadows. It’s also a great experience for those interested in Australia’s unique plant life.
15) Look out for the birds
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Cooktown is an ideal place for bird watching thanks to the diversity and rawness of its surroundings. There are four main geographical regions that meet at Cooktown and each region has its own set of unique and special bird species. You can download the Birds Australia North Queensland Bird List for the Cooktown region and make a checklist of species that you will see. You can find more information at the visitor center at Nature’s Powerhouse, but the main regions you can explore are the Wet Tropics rainforest south of Cooktown, Cape York Peninsula forests, coastal wetlands and mangroves, and the drier woodlands of the Laura and Battlecamp escarpments.
16) Feel some goosebumps at the Cooktown Cemetery
Cemeteries aren’t always a popular destination, but the Cooktown Cemetery is a worthwhile local haunt (pun intended). The difference with this cemetery is it’s listed in the Queensland Heritage Register because of its historical significance. It was built from 1874 to 1920 and tells a story of the mix of nationalities and religions that lived in Cooktown. There are also segregated areas in the cemetery for nuns, the Defence Force, a Rebel’s Corner, a Jewish section, and for the Chinese who moved to Cooktown during the Gold Rush.
17) Go on a bushwalk at Keatings Lagoon
Also known as the Mulbabidgee, Keatings Lagoon Conservation Park is 8 km south of Cooktown. It was developed with the local Gungrade Aboriginal Corporation to build the 1.5-km boardwalk and walking trail at the edge of the park. It’s an important bird sanctuary and lush with wetland vegetation. The freshwater lagoon holds a wet season run-off that creates an ideal watering hole and allows food sources to grow for animals and migratory birds. The walk is self-guided and visitors can also enjoy a relaxed lunch in the picnic area within the park.
18) Browse through the local markets
Community Markets at Cooktown exhibit some of the region’s freshest produce and interesting artwork. It’s held every Saturday morning at the parkland along the Endeavour River. The relaxed atmosphere also encourages visitors to chat and mingle with locals and get to know more about life in the region. Fruits are a great haul with sweet passionfruit, bananas, and mangoes as the most sought-after buys. There are also lots of organic products like jams, honey, and chutney. You’ll also find a lot of local handicrafts, natural bath items, trinkets, and vintage goods.
19) Get the full experience through the Endeavour River Escape
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Forming Cooktown’s eastern boundary, the Endeavour River is at the heart of Cooktown’s history and heritage. It passes through 250 acres of bushland and excellent areas for the ultimate aboriginal adventure and memorable camping.
The Endeavour River Escape is a multi-day experience with drive-in-drive-out bush campsites with personal effects and comforts. It combines modern conveniences with the rustic feel of the outback. This tour arranges campfires and barbecues after walks along the Endeavour River and Cameron Creek. This is the best activity to book if you want to do birdwatching, croc spotting, and botanic reviews all in one go.
20) Explore the Great Barrier Reef
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The Great Barrier Reef, the largest living thing on Earth, is highly accessible from Australia’s closes mainland port, and that is Cooktown. Local operators go on snorkeling and dive expeditions to some of the reef’s public coral gardens. Needless to say, marine life at the reef is diverse and impressive. The reef can be experienced by adventurers of all levels, from children and beginners to experienced snorkelers and divers. There are also glass-bottom boat tours around the reef for those who are not too keen on swimming.
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About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
