Endeavour replica, Cooktown Harbour

Cooktown Qld 4871 (Pop 2 000)

Cooktown proudly boasts of being Australia’s first white ‘settlement’ after Capt Cook ran aground on nearby Great Barrier Reef in 1770. It is located in Far North Qld on the Cape York Peninsula 1 982 km n-w of Brisbane. Gold discoveries resulted in a booming settlement in 1870s followed by tin mining. Today tourism sustains this pretty laid-back township. Cooktown markets 2^nd Sat each month. Endeavour Festival (June).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
The James Cook Museum, Helen St this former magnificent convent building has fascinating historical displays including a Chinese joss house, shell collection, Endeavour (Cook’s ship) artifacts as well as Aboriginal and goldmining  documents and memorabilia. Open daily (10am-4pm). Cooktown Cemetery, Boundary Rd very well presented and interesting historical graveyard with the Chinese Shrine nearby remembering the thousands of Chinese who were part of the area’s goldrush - however there is only one Chinese gravestone in the cemetery. Botanic Gardens, Walker St Qld's 2^nd oldest with a large range of native, exotic and European plant species. Cooktown Sea Museum interesting maritime artifacts and displays. Cooktown Wharf (1880s) great fishing spot. The Milibi Wall (near wharf) features traditional local Aboriginal art.

Nearby:
Lizard Island NP (93 km n-e) The five islands in this remote group are within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area with Lizard being the main one. WatsonBay offers beautiful snorkeling, swimming and bush camping, whilst the climb to Cooks Look (395 m) rewards one with spectacular views. Mary Watson’s cottage details the tragic story of this early immigrant and heroine. Many varieties of lizard and loggerhead turtles make their homes here. Flights, charters and private boats are available. Black Mountains (Kalkajaka) NP (25 km south) imposing mountain range of enormous black granite boulders that are sacred to local Aboriginal tribes and home to a number of unique wildlife species. Endeavour River NP (vehicle access via Starcke St, Marton, otherwise only boat access) a scenic undeveloped park of mangrove forests, tropical woodlands, coastal dunes and freshwater wetlands that allows no camping or swimming due to the estuarine crocodiles in the Endeavour River. Cedar Bay (Mangkal-Mangkalba) NP (40 km south) remote coastal park of sandy beaches, tropical rainforests and varied wildlife including the cassowary. Old tin working remnants can still be seen dating back to 1870s.  Bush camping only as no facilities and no fishing permitted. Easiest access is by foot beginning at Home Rule Rainforest Lodge, Rossville. Cape Melville NP (140 km n-w) beautiful remote park of rocky headlands, granite boulders, sandstone escarpments and inland dunefields. Bush camping. Visit May-October.

Accommodation:
Cooktown has 4 motels, 3 hotels, a resort, a B&B, holiday apartment/lodges and 5 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 101 Charlotte St. Tel (07) 4069 5446 or 1800 001 770.