<p>The Lizard Island group lies midway between the coast and the outer barrier reefs on the edge of the continental shelf.</p>
<p> Lizard Island, Queensland. Courtesy of Tourism Queensland</p>
<p>Lizard the main island has several sheltered sandy beaches with easy access to the coral and clam gardens. The islands are rich in cultural meaning for the Dingaal Aboriginal people who have lived in the area for tens of thousands of years, and also contain important European heritage sites.</p>
<p>Lizard Island was declared a National Park in 1939 and the other islands were added in 1987. The reef and waters surrounding Lizard Island are protected within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and GBR World Heritage Area.</p>
<p>Watson’s Bay is a popular snorkeling site with famed clam gardens and a unique abundance and diversity of solitary corals. The edge of the continental shelf lies just 20km to the east of Lizard Island and the sports fishing from Lizard is world class with 1000lb black marlin frequently caught.</p>
<p>Rising to 395 m above sea level, Cook’s Look provides stunning views of the surrounding reefs and there are several other walking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.</p>
<p> Cook’s Look, Lizard Island, Queensland. Courtesy of Tourism Queensland</p>
<p>Lizard Island has a tropical climate with a wet season from December-April and best time to visit is May-November</p>
<p>There is a <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/stay/cape-york-peninsula/lizard-island">5 star resort</a> on Lizard Island and bush camping is permitted in Watson’s Bay on Lizard Island and permits must be obtained in advance.</p>
<p>Commercial airlines provide regular flights from Cairns and charter flights are available from Cairns and Cooktown. Private aircraft may land with permission from the resort.<br />Commercial charter vessels depart from Cairns, Port Douglas and Cooktown for Lizard Island.</p>

<h3>Cooktown Discovery Trail Summary</h3>
<p><strong>Day 1. </strong>Cooktown-Laura via Lakefield National Park 136 km, approx 2 hr 30 mins</p>
<p><strong>Day 2.</strong> Laura-Cooktown 143 km, approx 1 hrs, 30 mins</p>
<p> Kalpowar Crossing Camping Lakefield National Park. Courtesy of Tourism Queensland</p>
<h3>DAY 1. Cooktown-Laura.</h3>
<p>Road conditions unsealed, suitable for 4WD.</p>
<p>A dirt road links Cooktown to Lakefield National Park, past the Endeavour Falls and on through Battle Camp Road. Camping permits and information about the park can be obtained from QPWS rangers at Cooktown, New Laura, Lakefield or Bizant Ranger Stations. Crossing Laura River, you will come upon historic Old Laura Homestead, one of the oldest cattle properties on Cape York. The structure you see today was built in 1892.</p>
<p>You can bush camp in Lakefield National Park (permit required) or continue onto the township of Laura, where hotel and camping facilities are available.</p>
<p>Carry plenty of drinking water and fuel as there are no service stations in the park. </p>
<p> WARNING – CROCODILES. Estuarine crocodiles are present in creeks, rivers and waterholes in this area.</p>
<p> Giant Horse Gallery</p>
<h3>DAY 2. Laura-Cooktown.</h3>
<p>Road conditions sealed suitable for 2WD.</p>
<p>The area surrounding Laura is known as ‘Quinkan country’ and is renowned for its ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries, considered among the world’s finest. The ‘Split Rock’ site about 10km south of Laura is open to the public. To learn more about the region’s history and culture, visit the Quinkan Regional and Cultural Centre to organise a site tour. If you are interested in these areas you will need to contact them prior to starting your trip.</p>
<p>Another of Laura’s highlights is the annual Horse Races and Rodeo which are held on the first weekend of July, and the Indigenous Dance and Cultural Festival held every two years.</p>
<p>Follow the Peninsula Development Road south to the tiny township of Lakeland Downs, in the heart of the Laura River Valley. This is now a major coffee and banana growing region.</p>
<p>The final 80 km back to Cooktown crosses four rivers – the West Normanby, East Normanby, Little Annan and Big Annan. Allow time for a few stops in the last 30km – Black Mountain National Park, the historic Lion’s Den Hotel (a 4km detour from the main road) and finally Keating’s Lagoon.</p>
<h3>Enjoy the whole Great Tropical Drive</h3>
<p>Follow the Great Tropical Drive for 12 days and 2079 kilometres to some of Australia’s best known attractions – the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Hinchinbrook Island and Undara Lava Tubes – and be prepared for many unexpected discoveries along the way.</p>
<p>The Great Tropical Drive passes through six unique regions of North Queensland: <br /> Cooktown, Port Douglas and Daintree, Cairns and Beaches, Mission Beach and the Cassowary Coast, Tropical Tablelands and Savannah Country, Townsville, Charters Towers and Hinchinbrook.</p>
<p>Information courtesy of <a href="http://http//www.cairnsgreatbarrierreef.org.au/" target="_blank">Tourism Tropical North Queensland</a></p>

<p>Make Cooktown your first choice for a conference venue with a difference.</p>
<p>Cooktown Events Centre offers state of the art conference, sports, theatre and music facilities overlooked by the majestic Mount Cook.</p>
<p>Business meetings for up to 150 seated people can be catered for. </p>
<p>Enjoy the region with post conference tours to historic sites, Aboriginal rock art, river cruises and experience world class fishing.</p>
<p>Choose from a variety of transport options – direct flights, the fully sealed Mulligan highway or charter cruise vessels from Cairns</p>
<p>For Events Centre bookings and information contact:</p>
<p>T: 07 40 820 500</p>
<p><b>Meeting/Multi-purpose rooms: </b></p>
<p><b></p>
<p> Bush poetry at the amphitheatre<br />
</b><b><br /></b></p>
<p>1 Large Meeting Room</p>
<p>Size:<b> </b>21m x 8m = 168m²</p>
<p>Seated 150</p>
<p>At tables 130</p>
<p>Dividable into 3 smaller rooms</p>
<p>Size: each room 7m x 8m = 49m²</p>
<p>Seated 40</p>
<p>At tables 35</p>
<p>Small Meeting Room</p>
<p> Cooktown Events Centre</p>
<p>Size: 3m x 3m = 9m²</p>
<p>Seating Capacity: 6 at a table</p>
<p> Facilities:</p>
<p>– Data projection equipment.</p>
<p>– Kitchenette with oven, microwave, crockery, cutlery, dishwasher & fridge/freezer</p>
<p>– Male and female toilets and nappy changing facility</p>
<p>– Carpeted</p>
<p>– Air conditioned</p>
<p>– Whiteboards</p>
<p>– Tables</p>
<p>– Chairs</p>
<p>– Grassed/fenced area outside</p>
<p><b>Sports Hall </b></p>
<p><b></p>
<p> Cooktown Events Centre<br />
</b><b><br /></b></p>
<p>Size:<b> </b>35m x 25m = 875m²</p>
<p>Seated 800</p>
<p>Auditorium 550</p>
<p>At tables 500</p>
<p>Court markings and equipment:</p>
<p>Netball x 1 court</p>
<p>Volleyball x 2 courts</p>
<p>Basketball electronic scoreboards</p>
<p>Badminton x 3 courts</p>
<p>Short tennis x 3 courts</p>
<p>Facilities:</p>
<p>– Air conditioned</p>
<p>– Pulastic sports flooring, suitable for heels</p>
<p>– Benched seating</p>
<p>– 320 chairs</p>
<p>– 40 tables</p>
<p>– Male/female change rooms & showers</p>
<p><b></p>
<p> Local band The Barefoot Belles<br />
</b></p>
<p><b>STAGE & AMPITHEATRE</b></p>
<p>Size: 12m x 9 m = 108m²</p>
<p>Proscenium Stage. Back of stage has sliding panels which open onto an apron and grassed amphitheatre area.</p>
<p>Facilities:</p>
<p>– Male and female dressing rooms and toilets</p>
<p>– Screen at front of stage</p>
<p>– Wheelchair access lift to stage</p>
<p>– Hinged panels to block off front of stage</p>
<p>Seating Capacity:<b> </b>Auditorium seats 550</p>
<p><b>KITCHEN </b></p>
<p><b></p>
<p> State of the art facilities<br />
</b><b><br /></b></p>
<p>Size: 11m x 5m 55m²</p>
<p>Kitchen hirers are required to undergo a kitchen induction</p>
<p>Facilities:</p>
<p>– Commercial standard</p>
<p>– Cold room</p>
<p>– Hot/cold bain maries</p>
<p>– Deep fat fryers</p>
<p>– Combi steamer</p>
<p>– Chiller fridges</p>
<p>– Dishwashers</p>
<p>– Gas ovens</p>
<p>– Gas cook tops</p>
<p>– Heat lamps</p>
<p>– Microwaves</p>
<p><b>GYM</b></p>
<p>The gym is available for public use. 24/7 Gym Memberships are available see their website for more information <a href="http://www.cook.qld.gov.au/cooktowneventscentre/" target="_blank">here </a></p>
<p><b>FOYER</b></p>
<p>Our large open foyer with its public art and outdoor undercover area is the perfect setting for a dinner, morning tea, barbecue or buffet.</p>

<p><b>The Milbi Wall</b></p>
<p>Nearly 500 hand-painted and carved tiles adorn the 12 metre-long curved <i>Milbi Wall </i>interpretive sculpture, placed at the very location where in 1770, Captain James Cook and his crew first set foot on land.</p>
<p>‘Milbi’ is the Guugu Yimithirr (local Aboriginal language) for story.  Developed by local Aboriginal artists and storytellers, with assistance from Townsville potter Shelley Burt, the <i>Milbi Wall’s</i> colourful artistic ceramic tiles express Aboriginal history and mythology.</p>
<p>Constructed in three sections, this reconciliation wall explains in both image and text the Creation Stories, and how the Endeavour River and Cooktown were made.  It further commemorates the first historic meeting between Aboriginal people and Captain Cook, tracing the history of Aboriginal people from the early settlement times and the gold-rush days, until the Second World War.  Also depicted is the 1967 referendum when the Australian people recognised the right of aboriginal people to equality with all other Australians.</p>
<p>The ‘Yirrmbal’ runs along the top of the wall, linking the tree sections.  It reminds us that reconciliation is about having a united Australia, where Aboriginal heritage is respected, and we have justice and equity for all.</p>
<p>Don’t rush by this sculptural book, take time to enjoy the beautiful art and unravel its stories!</p>
<p> Musical Ship Cooktown</p>
<p><b>The Musical Ship</b></p>
<p>Climb aboard Cooktown’s <i>Musical ship</i>, a unique musical playground created for young and old…no need to worry about getting seasick on this vessel!  Fitted with marimbas, thongaphones, tok-toks, chimes and doof (bass drum), a visit to this interactive sculpture is a must…you can serenade your sweetheart or create your own personalised percussive ensemble.  Why not film and download your performance onto Youtube?</p>
<p>Set against the beautiful foreshore of the Endeavour River, this unique 8.5 metre sculptural installation is made from recycled poly-pipe, stainless steel, aluminium, and our local Cooktown Ironwood.   The softfall surrounding the ship is made from re-cycled car tyres, with sea creature inserts designed and painted by local Aboriginal artists – Helen Gordon, Conrad Michael and Joseph McIvor.</p>
<p>‘Launched’ in 2007 as part of the Queensland Music Festival, the <i>Musical Ship</i> was designed and built by Steve Langton with his team at Hubbub Music.  Commissioned by Queensland Music Festival’s Artistic Director, Paul Grabowsky, the project was supported by Cook Shire Council.</p>
<p>In 2009 the Musical Ship acted as a stage for a stunning avant-garde performance – <i>Laid in Earth</i> presented by the Queensland Music Festival and Cook Shire Council.  This multi-media performance with sound, light and video projection featured a newly commissioned work from celebrated composer Damian Barbeler, with performers including multi award winning vocalist Sarah Blasko, Daniel Rojas, chamber ensemble, Kurrawong and a choir of community singers from Hope Vale, Rossville and Cooktown.  The event also featured Cairns singer, Emma-Louise, local Deadly Award winning band, Black Image and school children from Cooktown and regional schools.</p>
<p>If you climb aboard the <i>Musical Ship</i>, who knows where your voyage will lead?</p>
<p> River of Life walkway</p>
<p><b>River</b><b> of Life</b><b> Walkway </b></p>
<p>Take a meander along Cooktown’s scenic foreshore to discover the beautiful artworks that combine to form the <i>River of Life Walkway</i>.  At 500mtrs long, the winding pathway features hand-painted and carved ceramic tiles with a mixture of both minimal and very detailed designs.</p>
<p>Guided by Townsville potter Shelley Burt, seven local artists combined their talents to produce artworks that depict the diversity of Cooktown’s present-day identity, contrasted against that of its cultural history.  With so many stories presented, this artwork truly represents the communities respect for cultural diversity.</p>
<p><b>A friendly python</b></p>
<p>Keep an eye out for a very friendly Amethystine Python who watches over the grounds of the Botanic Gardens at Natures Powerhouse.  This 6.5 metre-long sculpture is expertly carved out of Cooktown Ironwood, a species which is one of the hardest and densest timbers in the world.  For this reason it is avoided by most wood-carvers, and therefore highly regarded.</p>
<p>Made by local artists Mark Berg and Rodney lousteau, with assistance from Ursula Lichti and Flint Harai, the sculpture was specially commissioned by Natures Powerhouse to act as a link with the Charlie Tanner Gallery which features a display of many venomous and non venomous snake specimens.  These were gifted by the late Charles Tanner to promote the understanding, appreciation and conservation of wildlife, especially the reptiles that were his life’s passion.</p>
<p>It’s easy to fall in love with this very sleek, smooth sculpture…a great photo opportunity.</p>

<p>In late 1990 and early 1991, a group of 15 local artists and craftspeople saw the need for an association which would cater for a wider range of art and craft based activities.</p>
<p>Today the CCAA has members which have their art / craft for sale in the shop, providing local artists with a source of income, as well as a wonderful venue to showcase their talents. There are displays of wood work, furniture, paintings, jewellery, stained glass, quilts, can baskets, silk paintings, T-shirts, post cards, etched glasses and photography.</p>
<p> Local arts and crafts</p>
<p>The association also offers a range of workshops and demonstrations throughout the year. </p>
<p>Admission is free, open weekdays 9am – 5pm, Saturday 9am – 12pm, closed Sundays</p>
<p>Ph: (07) 4069 5794</p>

<p>The display showcases regional history through stories, photos, interactive displays, murals and oral histories.</p>
<p>The Archive and Research facility has the largest collection of maps, photos and documents pertaining to Cooktown’s history. The Centre provides local history and family research with over 60,000 names on the database.</p>
<p>The Cooktown History Centre is located next door to the Post Office at 121 Charlotte Street.</p>
<p>Open Monday-Saturday 9.00am – 12.00pm. The Archive and Research Centre is open throughout the main tourism season but may be closed from December to April. A small entrance fee applies to help maintain this volunteer run facility.</p>
<p><b>Ph: (07) 4069 6640</b></p>

<p>Cooktown boasts a number of beautifully maintained historic buildings including the fabulous Cooktown Museum on Helen St and the Old Bank in Charlotte St.</p>
<p>The Cooktown Museum is open daily, located in the carefully restored St Marys Convent, on the corner of Helen and Furneaux Streets. Displays feature artefacts, images and information, depicting the time James Cook spent here in 1770 repairing the Endeavour and interacting with the local Aboriginal people. The discovery of Gold at the Palmer River gave rise to the birth of Cooktown over 100 years later. Museum exhibits tell some fascinating aspects of the local Chinese, European and Aboriginal histories of this region. The restored Endeavour anchor and one of her 6 cannons are features of the Cooktown Museum.</p>
<p>The Cooktown and District Historical Society have mounted a magnificent exhibition -Cooktown through the Years-in the stately 19th Century Historic Bank building in Charlotte Street. Open from Easter through to October. All visitors and tour groups are welcome. </p>
<p>Nature’s Powerhouse is located in the historic Botanical Gardens and features the works of Vera Scarth Johnson who gifted her detailed botanical artworks to the people of Cooktown. </p>
<p>Artists and Craftspeople abound in the area, inspired by the landscapes, colours and stories. </p>
<p>The Old Railway Station Building in Charlotte Street is the perfect outlet for the artistic members of the Cooktown Creative Arts Association. Run by volunteers and the artists it is a treasure trove of local creations.</p>
<p>The Elizabeth Guzeley Gallery is located next to the Cooktown Post Office on Charlotte St and regularly holds exhibitions of local artworks, an annual Art Awards competition and co ordinates the Cooktown Art Festival.</p>
<p>The Black Cockatoo Gallery is a hidden gem for those exploring the Bloomfield & Ayton areas. Artist Ross Franzi and friends have created a stunning gallery with some wonderful sculptures, fabulous paintings and stunning pieces inspired by the unique, untouched environs of the region.</p>
<p>The Quinkan and Regional Cultural Centre at Laura displays and sells works by local Aboriginal artists. It is open daily from 9am with flexible summertime hours.</p>

<p>Formed in 1978 by a Cooktown group interested in improving their artistic skills.<br />In 1988 the dream of having their own art gallery was realised and in 1998 named for Elizabeth Guzsely as a suitable recognition of her art legacy.  <br />Art works on display are by local artists in a variety of medium and styles. These include oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolour, mixed media, charcoal, graphite, pen & ink and indigenous art linked to local cultural traditions.</p>
<p>Individual artists have the chance to improve their artistic skills through learning, sharing, exhibiting and selling their art. </p>
<p><b>Ph: (07) 4069 5322</b></p>
<p>125 Charlotte Street, Cooktown </p>

<p>This was a very desperate time for Endeavour’s men as most of them couldn’t swim and they would surely drown if she sank.</p>
<p>They had to keep her afloat and that they did, finally warping her into the harbour 5 days later after fothering the ship by pulling a sail under her bottom so that she wouldn’t sink.</p>
<p>While here Cook and his were involved in many tasks such as gathering fresh supplies, Mr Banks and his team of Naturalists were busy exploring and Cook organised the crew to carry out repairs to the ship.</p>
<p>The Guugu Yimithirr were very upset with these visitors who refused to share their turtle with them.</p>
<p><b>DID YOU KNOW ?</b></p>
<p>HMB Endeavour landed fourteen times on the East Australian Coastline.</p>
<p>One landing was in what is now New South Wales waters at Botany Bay.</p>
<p>Thirteen  landings were in what are now Queensland waters.</p>
<p>The fourteenth landing was on Booby Island, west of Thursday Island.</p>
<p>In addition to the fourteen landing places, Cook also named 92 other landmarks on the East Coast, making a total of 106</p>
<p>places named by Cook. Many of these places are still in use today and would be familiar to the reader.</p>
<p>It is significant to mention that Cook did not name any landmarks for himself. </p>
<p><b>Sunday 29th April 1770:</b></p>
<p>Captain Cook and his crew arrived at <b>Botany Bay</b>.</p>
<p>They didn’t set up a land based camp and remained on board their ship.</p>
<p>They fished, explored, found water and botanised.</p>
<p>The indigenous people didn’t want to interact with them despite Cook’s trying to make contact with them on several occasions.</p>
<p>Endeavour departed on May 6th seven days after her arrival.</p>
<p><b>May 23rd 1770</b> – anchored at <b>Bustard</b><b> Bay</b><b>,</b> named for the wild bustard bird they shot and ate.  They stayed one night on the ship.</p>
<p><b>May 29th 1770 </b> ….   anchored at <b>Thirsty Sound [Town of 1770]</b> and spent one night on the ship and landed searching for water but none found. Banks was enthused with all the botany and much impressed by the butterflies.</p>
<p><b>June 8th 1770</b> …. Banks and Hickes went ashore at  <b>Cleveland</b><b> Bay [near Magnetic Island] </b> looking for coconuts but found the trees were only cabbage palms.</p>
<p><b>June 10th 1770</b> … Cook named Green Island, which he saw in the distance while anchored in a bay north of  <b>Cape</b><b> Grafton</b> which forms part of the mainland south of Cairns where he landed briefly. He describes a large but not very deep bay which he names Trinity Bay, after the day on which it was discovered.</p>
<p><b>June 10th 1770</b> … On a clear moonlit night, the Endeavour suddenly struck the Great Barrier Reef. …Cook names Cape Tribulation and writes in his journal … <i>because here begun all our troubles.</i></p>
<p>The Endeavour was severely damaged and it would be a traumatic 23 hours before they were able to haul the ship off the reef on a high tide.</p>
<p>After heaving her off the reef and fothering the ship by hauling a sail covered with oakum, dung and sheep’s wool under her belly, the water was finally slowed and the leak became manageable with only one pump. It was to be one more week before they found a safe harbour to repair the Endeavour.</p>
<p><b>June 17th 1770</b></p>
<p><b>ENDEAVOUR</b><b> RIVER</b></p>
<p>Cook spent seven weeks here in 1770, the longest land base during Cook’s East Coast expedition.</p>
<p>The major task was to repair the Endeavour but Banks and his team of botanists spent their whole time exploring and discovering many botanical and natural history wonders which were totally new to science at the time.</p>
<p>Banks and Solander found a large portion of Endeavour’s East Coast botanical collection while here.</p>
<p>They discovered many new species of insects, fish, bugs and butterflies.</p>
<p>They saw, for the first time in this country, a crocodile, dingo, flying fox, and many species of lizards, snakes, fish and insects.</p>
<p>The crew fished and collected giant clams and turtle for food. They found green vegetables and yams to supplement their diet.</p>
<p><b>THE KANGAROO:</b></p>
<p>The mysterious animal [kangaroo] was clearly sighted, shot by Lt Gore and eaten by the officers and gentlemen. It was sketched by Sydney Parkinson, named and closely examined by Banks and his botanical team.</p>
<p><b>FIRST CONTACT:</b></p>
<p>When the Guugu Yimithirr people from north of the harbour finally decided to make contact with Endeavour’s crew, the name of the mysterious beast was found to be ganguuru which was interpreted as kangaroo.</p>
<p>130 words and phrases of the Guugu Yimithirr language, including the names of nine individuals, were recorded by Parkinson in his Journal which would surely have to be the first written record of an Indigenous language in this country during the first meaningful contact between Indigenous people and Europeans.</p>
<p><b>FIRST RECONCILIATION:</b></p>
<p>Six meetings between Endeavour’s crew and the Guugu Yimithirr took place with one visit ending in an altercation after Cook refused to share the turtles found on the Endeavour, with the local inhabitants.</p>
<p>They were chased away after twice setting fire to Cook’s camp, burning all around the camp and killing a suckling pig.</p>
<p>Cook wounded one man with musket shot and followed the group until he caught up with them on a rocky bar near the end of Furneaux Street, now known as Reconciliation Rocks.</p>
<p><b>RECONCILIATION ROCKS:</b></p>
<p>After making signs of peace, Cook, who was also accompanied by Joseph Banks and three or four other persons, returned some spears to the elders of the group who then sat down together.</p>
<p><b>Cook wrote in his journal</b> … <i>we now return’d the darts we had taken from them which reconciled every thing.</i></p>
<p><b>Parkinson wrote in his journal</b> … Several of them came to us afterwards and made peace with us.</p>
<p><b>THE DEPARTURE:</b></p>
<p>After Endeavour crossed the bar at the mouth of the river on August 5th she still had to stand off outside the harbour due to strong wind and gales, finally departing, sounding all the way, on August 10th 1770.</p>
<p>Endeavour River was the Endeavour’s sixth East Coast landing and there were to be another seven landings before she finally left these waters for a refit in Batavia.</p>
<p>These other landing places were <b>Point Lookout, Lizard Island, Eagle Island, Turtle Group, </b>landed on the reef about<b> Providential Channel, </b>and finally<b> Possession Island, </b>where Cook took possession of the east coast of this country  in the name of  King George the Third.</p>
<p>There was one more landing at <b>Booby</b><b> Island</b> in the Torres Strait.</p>