Cooktown

Both the Rainbow Serpent and Great Emu Tour operate out of Cooktown - a beautiful, unspoilt, coastal town and one of Australia's most historic townships.  It was here in 1770 that Lt. James Cook, in desperate need of safe haven, beached the HM Bark Endeavour, naming the river after his ship. Cooktown is also Australia’s closest town to the Great Barrier Reef.

For a small town (pop. c. 2,000) it packs a heavy punch for its size. There’s the world-class James Cook Museum, the Historical Bank with its award-winning displays, and a fascinating Cemetery with its Chinese shrine from the Gold Rush Days. The fishing is excellent, the Botanic Gardens and beaches beautiful, and be sure to check out Nature’s Powerhouse, the local Visitor Centre, with its art exhibitions, shady verandah, locally grown coffee, and great home-made scones. This is also the venue for visiting musicians: check to see what’s on – you might catch some great Jazz in the Gardens.

And at the end of the day, don’t miss the sunset from the top of Grassy Hill. This is where Cook searched for a gap in the Reef, and the views will blow you away.

Getting There

Hinterland Aviation flies up to 3 times a day between Cairns and Cooktown. The 35 minute flight provides spectacular views over the rainforest and reef.

Adventure North operates one, two and three-day 4wd adventure tours to Cooktown, departing Cairns and Port Douglas most days of the week. The tours travel up the coastal road, and return by the inland Mulligan Highway.

Country Road Coachlines offers a regular bus service between Cairns and Cooktown, on both coastal and inland routes.

For places to stay and more about Cooktown…Click Here.

With its laid-back atmosphere and friendly people, Cooktown is the perfect base to explore the rugged beauty of Lower Cape York.

Self-Drive

The Mulligan Highway, the inland road from Cairns to Cooktown (334 kms) is now fully sealed and was officially opened on 11 March 2006. The drive takes about 4.5 hours, and is a great introduction to the Australian Outback. Watch out for the cattle and kangaroos!

The coastal route (248 kms via the Bloomfield Track) winds through lush rainforest and picturesque creeks and takes about 6 hours. It is for 4wd vehicles only. This road is also the route for The Bama Way – an Aboriginal journey along story-lines, through coastal mangroves, rich rainforest and hilltop Savannah. Click for the map to read the Aboriginal history and stories of places along the way.