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Elim Beach | Hope Vale
Aboriginal Tours | Guided Tours & Cruises | History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
Guurrbi Tours
Award-winning rock art tours with Elder Willie Gordon near Cooktown
Elim Beach | Hope Vale
Aboriginal Tours | Guided Tours & Cruises | History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
Maaramaka Walkabout Tours
Hear Aboriginal stories and learn about rainforest flora, fauna and culture
Rainforest Coast
Aboriginal Tours | Beaches, Waterfalls & Swimming Holes | Guided Tours & Cruises | History & Culture
Walker Family Tours
Explore Bloomfield Falls and learn about Yalanji culture on ancestral land
Cooktown
Beaches, Waterfalls & Swimming Holes | National Parks & Walking Trails | Scenic Drives & Lookouts | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Cycling in Cooktown
Enjoy three family-friendly cycle trails, heritage sights and coastal scenery
Cooktown | Elim Beach | Hope Vale
Beaches, Waterfalls & Swimming Holes | Guided Tours & Cruises
Kitesurfing near Cooktown
World-class winds, deserted beaches and stunning backdrops near Cooktown
Cooktown
Beaches, Waterfalls & Swimming Holes
Cooktown Swimming Pool
Swimming pool on Charles Street next to the state school, open daily
Rainforest Coast
Aboriginal Tours | Beaches, Waterfalls & Swimming Holes | National Parks & Walking Trails
Bloomfield Falls Walk
Easy 30-minute walk to Bloomfield Falls, with optional Kuku Yalanji tours
Rainforest Coast
Indigenous Culture & Heritage | National Parks & Walking Trails
Cedar Bay North Walk
Strenuous 28km return walk to Cedar Bay’s remote palm-fringed beach
Elim Beach | Hope Vale
Beaches, Waterfalls & Swimming Holes | National Parks & Walking Trails
Elim Beach Walks
Explore Elim’s Coloured Sands on an easy 600m return beach walk
Rainforest Coast
Beaches, Waterfalls & Swimming Holes | National Parks & Walking Trails
Home Rule Falls
A moderate 2.6km return rainforest walk to a three-tiered waterfall
Cooktown
National Parks & Walking Trails | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Keatings Lagoon (Mulbabidgee) Walk
The 390 metre Mulbabidgee walk was developed with local Gungarde
Cooktown
National Parks & Walking Trails | Scenic Drives & Lookouts
Mount Cook Hiking Trail
Strenuous 6km return hike with spectacular coastal and reef views
Cooktown
National Parks & Walking Trails
Scenic Rim Walking Trail
Pathways, rough tracks and trails span Cooktown, welcoming every fitness level.
Cooktown
4WD Adventures | Indigenous Culture & Heritage | National Parks & Walking Trails | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Black Mountain National Park, (Kalkajaka N.P.)
Mysterious granite mountains, rich in Kuku Yalanji myths and legends
Cape York Peninsula | Cooktown | Lakefield
4WD Adventures | Fishing & Boating | Indigenous Culture & Heritage | National Parks & Walking Trails | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Cape Melville National Park
Remote coastline, granite boulders and sandstone escarpments
Cooktown | Rainforest Coast
4WD Adventures | Indigenous Culture & Heritage | National Parks & Walking Trails | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Cedar Bay National Park
Remote coastal park south of Cooktown, with rainforest, beaches and wildlife
Cooktown
4WD Adventures | Indigenous Culture & Heritage | Island & Reef Experiences | National Parks & Walking Trails | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Hope Islands National Park
Two coral cays: mangrove-fringed West Hope and sandy East Hope Island
Cape York Peninsula | Cooktown | Lakefield | Laura
4WD Adventures | Fishing & Boating | Indigenous Culture & Heritage | National Parks & Walking Trails | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park
Vast Cape York wetlands with waterbirds, crocodiles and barramundi
Cape York Peninsula | Cooktown
4WD Adventures | Beaches, Waterfalls & Swimming Holes | Fishing & Boating | History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage | Island & Reef Experiences | National Parks & Walking Trails | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Lizard Island
Six islands in the Great Barrier Reef, with beaches, trails and snorkelling
Cooktown
4WD Adventures | National Parks & Walking Trails | Scenic Drives & Lookouts | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Mount Cook National Park
A steep 2km trail climbs Waymbuur to a lookout with Great Barrier Reef views
Cooktown
4WD Adventures | National Parks & Walking Trails | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Cooktown Botanic Gardens
One of Queensland's oldest regional botanic gardens, in a 62ha reserve
Cape York Peninsula | Cooktown
4WD Adventures | Island & Reef Experiences | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Great Barrier Reef
Explore vibrant coral reefs, tropical fish and pristine waters near Cooktown
Cape York Peninsula | Cooktown | Elim Beach | Hope Vale | Rainforest Coast
4WD Adventures | Beaches, Waterfalls & Swimming Holes | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Waterfalls
Scenic Cooktown waterfalls offer picnics, swimming holes and day trips
Cooktown | Elim Beach | Hope Vale
Aboriginal Tours | Beaches, Waterfalls & Swimming Holes | Fishing & Boating | History & Museums | National Parks & Walking Trails | Scenic Drives & Lookouts | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Cooktown Highlights Itinerary
Plan three nights for history, Aboriginal tours, fishing and Cape York
Cooktown | Rainforest Coast
4WD Adventures | Scenic Drives & Lookouts | Wildlife & Birdwatching
The Great Tropical Drive Daintree Explorer Trail
A classic 4WD route from Mossman to Cooktown via the renowned Bloomfield Track
Cape York Peninsula | Cooktown | Lakefield | Laura
4WD Adventures | History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage | National Parks & Walking Trails | Scenic Drives & Lookouts | Wildlife & Birdwatching
The Great Tropical Drive Discovery Trail
2-day Cooktown–Laura loop through Lakefield National Park and Quinkan country
Cooktown
4WD Adventures | National Parks & Walking Trails | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Bicentennial National Trail
A 5,330km self-reliant trail linking 18 national parks from Cooktown
Cooktown
History & Culture
Cooktown Events Centre
Conference, sports and entertainment venue beneath majestic Mount Cook
Cooktown
History & Culture
Public Art in Cooktown
Discover colourful public art, stories and music along Cooktown’s foreshore
Cooktown
History & Culture | History & Museums
Cooktown Creative Arts Association
Local art and crafts for sale, plus workshops, at the Old Railway Station
Rainforest Coast
History & Museums
Black Cockatoo Gallery
Wildlife art, rainforest views, refreshments and conservation insights
Cooktown
History & Museums
Cooktown Museum
Explore Cooktown’s history in a restored convent, from Cook to gold rush
Cooktown
History & Culture | History & Museums | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
Cooktown History Centre
Explore Cooktown history through stories, photos, archives and research
Elim Beach | Hope Vale
History & Culture | History & Museums | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
Hope Vale Arts and Cultural Centre
Explore Guugu Yimithirr culture through weaving, bush dyes and art
Cape York Peninsula | Cooktown | Laura
History & Culture | History & Museums | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
Museums and Galleries
Explore Cooktown’s heritage buildings, museums, galleries and local art
Cooktown
History & Museums | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery
Explore Vera Scarth-Johnson’s botanic works and Banks Florilegium engravings
Cooktown
History & Museums
The Old Bank, Cooktown
Heritage-listed 1891 bank with magnificent red cedar counters in Cooktown
Cooktown
History & Culture | History & Museums
Cooktown School of Art Society Inc/Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery
View and buy original local art in oils, acrylics, pastels and more
Cooktown
4WD Adventures | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Birdwatching in and near Cooktown
Explore four habitats and 150 bird species on Cooktown day trips
Rainforest Coast
4WD Adventures | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Bennetts Tree Kangaroo
Spot Bennett’s tree-kangaroo in forests and creek areas near Cooktown
Cooktown
Beaches, Waterfalls & Swimming Holes
Cherry Tree Bay
Secluded beach with clean sand and palms, reached by walking tracks
Cooktown
Beaches, Waterfalls & Swimming Holes
Finch Bay
Mountain-framed beach with giant rocks, a river mouth and garden trails
Cape York Peninsula | Cooktown | Elim Beach | Hope Vale | Weipa
4WD Adventures | Beaches, Waterfalls & Swimming Holes | Fishing & Boating | Island & Reef Experiences | National Parks & Walking Trails | Scenic Drives & Lookouts | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Beaches
Explore deserted beaches, reef snorkelling, fishing and spectacular views
Archer River | Cape York Peninsula | Cooktown | Lakefield | Portland Roads | Rainforest Coast
4WD Adventures | National Parks & Walking Trails | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Bird Life
Explore 321 bird species, including 18 found only on Cape York, year-round
Cooktown
History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
Cook’s Landing – Fast Facts
Endeavour's ordeal, repairs, first contact and reconciliation in Cooktown
Cooktown
History & Culture | History & Museums | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
Cooktown Cemetery
Explore diverse historic graves, cultural stories and gold rush mysteries
Cooktown | Lakefield | Laura
History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
Cooktown Railway
Gold rush railway from Cooktown to Laura, operating from 1885 to 1961
Cooktown | Lakefield | Laura
History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
The Gold Rush
The 1873 Palmer River gold rush transformed Cooktown into a boomtown
Cooktown
History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage | Scenic Drives & Lookouts
Grassy Hill – The Lighthouse
Built in 1886, Grassy Hill lighthouse guided ships through Cooktown's reef
Rainforest Coast
History & Culture
The Historic Lion’s Den Hotel
Historic 1875 hotel with safari tents, camping and swimming in the Annan River
Cooktown
History & Culture | History & Museums | Indigenous Culture & Heritage | Island & Reef Experiences
Mary Watson
A tragic 1881 escape from Lizard Island ended in thirst and loss
Cooktown
History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage | Scenic Drives & Lookouts
The Story of Mungurru and Wahalumbaal birri
An Aboriginal tale of how Mungurru shaped the Endeavour River
Cooktown
History & Culture | History & Museums | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
The Normanby Woman
Mystery surrounds the fair-skinned woman captured near Byerstown in 1887
Cooktown
History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
H.M.B. Endeavour – Reconciliation Rocks
On these rocks, eleven Guugu Yimithirr men and James Cook restored peace.
Cooktown | Rainforest Coast
4WD Adventures | Aboriginal Tours | Guided Tours & Cruises | History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage | National Parks & Walking Trails | Scenic Drives & Lookouts | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Rossville Retreat Indigenous Tours
Learn bush medicines, foods and Kuku Nyungkul culture with Mooks
Cooktown
History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage | Scenic Drives & Lookouts
Grassy Hill – The Radar Station
Grassy Hill’s vantage point hosted ship-to-shore radio and wartime radar
Rainforest Coast
History & Culture | History & Museums | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
Bana Yirriji Arts Centre
Temporarily closed after Cyclone Jasper; a new location is being sought.
Cooktown | Rainforest Coast
History & Culture
Community Markets
Explore fresh produce, crafts and local conversation at three community markets
Cooktown
Fishing & Boating | Guided Tours & Cruises | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Endeavour River
Cruise ancient mangroves and rainforest to spot wildlife and crocs
Cape York Peninsula | Cooktown | Hope Vale | Lakefield | Laura | Rainforest Coast
Fishing & Boating
Fishing in Cooktown
Explore reef, estuary, beach and rainforest fishing near Cooktown
Cape York Peninsula | Cooktown | Elim Beach | Hope Vale | Lakefield | Laura | Rainforest Coast
4WD Adventures | Fishing & Boating | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Fishing near Hope Vale
Fish Cape Bedford reefs and wrecks, or explore the McIvor River
Cape York Peninsula | Cooktown | Lakefield | Laura
4WD Adventures | Fishing & Boating | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Fishing near Laura
Remote Cape York waters offer wild barra, jacks and superb mud crabbing
Rainforest Coast
4WD Adventures | Fishing & Boating | Wildlife & Birdwatching
Fishing in the Rainforest Coast
Fish for barra, jacks and trevally amid rainforest and mountain views
Cooktown
Fishing & Boating | Island & Reef Experiences
Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling
Snorkel spectacular coral gardens and see tropical marine life from Cooktown.
Cape York Peninsula | Weipa
Fishing & Boating
Fishing in Weipa
Fish Weipa’s Embley, Mission and Pine rivers for barramundi and more
Cape York Peninsula | Cooktown | Hope Vale | Lakefield | Laura
Aboriginal Tours | Guided Tours & Cruises | History & Culture | History & Museums | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
Aboriginal Rock Art
Explore ancient rock art galleries and guided Aboriginal cultural tours
Cooktown
Aboriginal Tours | History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
Aboriginal Culture Cooktown
Explore Guugu Yimithirr history, art and culture through local experiences
Elim Beach | Hope Vale
Aboriginal Tours | History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
Aboriginal Culture – Hope Vale & Elim Beach
Explore Guugu Yimithirr country, ancient rock art and local culture
Rainforest Coast
Aboriginal Tours | History & Culture
Aboriginal Culture – Rainforest Coast
Explore Kuku Yalanji country, culture and rainforest along The Bama Way
Cooktown
History & Culture | Indigenous Culture & Heritage
Captain James Cook
Cooktown's history spans Cook's 1770 landing and the Palmer River Gold Rush