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Cooktown
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Cooktown is a beautiful, un spoilt, small historic coastal town surrounded by stunning countryside. Sitting at the mouth of the Endeavour River, it is also Australia’s closest town to the Great Barrier Reef. With its laid-back atmosphere and friendly people, this is the perfect base to explore the rugged beauty of the Lower Cape, noted for its pristine environment and Aboriginal culture.
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
Cooktown
Fishing & Boating | Island & Reef Experiences
Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling
Snorkel spectacular coral gardens and see tropical marine life from Cooktown.
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
Cooktown
Cafés
Cooktown Cafe
Centrally located on Charlotte Street, a local favourite for burgers.
Cooktown
Restaurants | Seafood | Takeaway
Gill’d n Gutt’d Seafood Takeaway
Enjoy local fish and chips on the wharf, with fresh catches available.
Cooktown
Restaurants | Takeaway
Jackey Jackey Herbs and Spices Thai Restaurant
Traditional Thai food with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options
Cooktown | Rainforest Coast
Pubs & Taverns | Restaurants
Lion’s Den Hotel
Historic pub meals 7 days a week, with all-day pizza and local seafood
Cooktown
Cafés
Nature’s Powerhouse
Al fresco dining overlooking Cooktown Botanic Gardens, with local produce
Cooktown
Cafés
Riverside Coffee Kitchen Cafe
Riverside café and patisserie serving coffee, pastries, cakes and lunch
Cooktown
Restaurants
RSL Memorial Club
127 Charlotte Street, next to the Bowls Club, with meals and live music
Cooktown
Restaurants
Balcony Restaurant – Sovereign Resort, Cooktown
Local produce and seafood, with beautiful Endeavour River and Mt Saunders views
Cooktown
Pubs & Taverns
Cooktown Hotel
Known locally as the Top Pub, with live music, pub grub and a beer garden
Cooktown
Restaurants
Annan’s Restaurant – River of Gold Motel
Breakfast for in-house guests 7 days a week at Annan’s Restaurant
Cooktown
Restaurants
Bowled Over Bistro
Open nightly from 6pm, with family meals, specials, bar and big-screen TV
Cooktown
Cafés | Resort Dining | Restaurants | Takeaway
Cafe Bar – Sovereign Resort, Cooktown
Ground-floor Cafe Bar serving lunch and dinner daily, plus cakes
Cooktown
Cafés | Restaurants | Takeaway
Cooks Landing Kiosk
Feed the fish from the terrace, with breakfasts, light meals and more
Cooktown
Cafés
Cooktown Bakery
Cooktown's only bakery on Charlotte Street, with fresh breads, cakes and coffee