Top Things to do in Cooktown
Top 10 Things to do in Cooktown, Australia
Discover the best top things to do in Cooktown, Australia including Grassy Hill, James Cook Museum, Cooktown History Centre, Great Northern Tours, Nature's Powerhouse, Finch Bay, Trevathan Falls, Keating's Lagoon, Cooktown Botanical Gardens, Isabella Falls.
Restaurants in Cooktown
1. Grassy Hill
Overall Ratings
5 based on 394 reviews
Grassy Hill offers a 360 degree view of Cooktown, the Endeavour River and the Great Barrier Reef. Although now quite heavily forested, Grassy Hill is so known because local aboriginals deliberately burnt the forest on the hill to encourage re-growth of vegetation and draw animals to the area for hunting. The landscape you see today from the top of the hill has changed little since Captain James Cook and the crew of the HMB Endeavour climbed Grassy Hill in 1770 to view the surrounding reefs enabling him to navigate a safe passage. The views today, especially at sunset and sunrise, are still as spectacular as in 1770 making Grassy Hill one of Cooktown's most popular attractions.
Reviewed By loulouashley
Awesome history and educational plaques with great information coupled with wonderful views....you could see all of Cook town. Drive up, don't walk!
2. James Cook Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 373 reviews
First opened in 1970, this museum, housed in a spectacular 19th century convent building, showcases the history of Cooktown, from Cook's landing in 1770 to the more recent past. The exhibits include the original anchor and one of the cannon jettisoned from Cook's Endeavour in 1770, items from the Palmer River gold rush and personal items and stories from Cooktown's early residents, making this an unmissable part of your visit to Cooktown.The James Cook Museum is operated by the National Trust Queensland, a membership-based community organization dedicated to the promotion and care of Queensland's cultural and natural heritage.
Reviewed By Travelgypsyisme - Cairns, Australia
We were excited to see the real anchor and cannon off the Endeavour. There isn't too much regarding Captain Cook, and alot more information regarding the history of the building as a Convent and girls school and history of the area. Still worth the entrance.
3. Cooktown History Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By Phillip8789 - Terrigal, Australia
An extremely well-presented, chronologically-ordered history of Cooktown. An abundance of written information and photos highlight Aboriginal reaction to white influence in the area, the early mining boom, the fishing industry and the initial land transport into, what was, an isolated community.
Well worth the hour or so browsing the information in this museum.
Well done to the local volunteers who maintain this important historical centre.
4. Great Northern Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 30 reviews
Great Northern Tours offer local and extended, small group 'Birdwatching' tours in Far North Queensland, Australia. Visiting such iconic destinations as Lakefield and Iron Range national parks, Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria, World Heritage listed Wet Tropics and the bird-rich Mt Isa and Winton regions. Whether you choose one of our scheduled tours or prefer a taylor-made private charter, your local North Queensland guide, David Mead, will make sure your personally guided tour is both memorable and rewarding.
Reviewed By R B - Lara, Australia
We found all of our target birds, including incredible views of a Golden-shouldered Parrot pair by their nest mound. We have our own campervan, but traveled with David in his vehicle and found his tent and cots very comfortable.
David's knowledge of the area and his enjoyable company made for an excellent experience on all levels. After returning from our tour, David even helped us to find a Large-tailed Nightjar early the morning that we were leaving Cooktown.
I could not more highly recommend Great Northern Tours.
5. Nature's Powerhouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 86 reviews
Nature's PowerHouse, a large interpretive centre stunningly situated within Cooktown's historic Botanic Gardens, houses the nationally significant Vera Scarth-Johnson botanical illustrations, a natural history display, gift store, and café, as well as being the Cook Shire Visitor Information Centre.
Reviewed By KatetheGreat48 - Beverley, Australia
Whilst in Cooktown, we met up with my niece, my brother, my toddler great nephew and my baby great niece for a wander around the Cooktown Botanic Gardens and lunch.
The Gardens were absolutely glorious and it was here that I learned Daniel Solander was another botanist, along with Joseph Banks, on the "Endeavour".
Outside in the cafe with overhead fans on a warm day, the cafe catered for everyone. Toys were available for baby Rachel and short dynamo Tyler, the high chair was available and the food - was delicious.
Normally not one to sample vegetarian food, I was in awe with my sweet potato, quinoa, baby spinach and salad with all the trimmings. The tahini and mint salad dressing was outstanding.
Jodie, the resident chef, produced great food in a beautiful location for anybody wishing to stop for a bite.
Highly recommended.
6. Finch Bay
Overall Ratings
4 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By David H
Went here but there really isn't anything to do except walk around for a while. You could swim but there are crocodile signs. It's a nice secluded beach though and a nice place to go for a walk.
7. Trevathan Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By JacquelineGeorge - Cooktown, Australia
Not simple to find as Google Earth has it in the wrong place... Take Mt Amos Rd off the Mulligan Highway; after ~9 km you will come to a right turn with a primitive sign on a tree. Right again after a short distance and follow the road about 1 km. Gets rocky, so get our a walk ~200 m.
Fabulous jungle waterfall. Swim, take pics or just lounge around. In the past there has been some discussion over whether the traditional owners would allow access, allow access for men only, or even charge for entry. Seems that this has all been sorted out and there will be a nearby ranger house and improvements to the car parking and footpath. We will see...
8. Keating's Lagoon
Overall Ratings
4 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Suzanne818 - Sydney, Australia
Beautiful scene with lilies on the lagoon and plenty of birds. However spray well for mosquitoes as they were big and plentiful when we visited.
Overall Ratings
4 based on 20 reviews
10. Isabella Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Sean A - Darwin, Australia
The falls are about 10 km on the road north from the Endeavour Valley Road with the turn off about 10km from Hope Vale. The creek runs over the road and then almost immediately over the wide but short drop falls. There is a rest stop area to the west just over creek crossing. You could probably stay for the night there.
It is good as part of a day trip out of Cooktown especially if going out to see the art and craft centre in Hope Vale. As always up here, pity about the crocs!
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