Making the most of Cooktown
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Large cruise vessels anchor offshore and tender passengers ashore, while smaller ships can use the dock.
Cooktown takes its name from Captain James Cook, who came ashore in 1770 when Endeavour required repairs; his statue now stands by the harbour near the landing site. The settlement was not founded until gold discoveries nearby at the end of the 19th century. It rapidly became one of Queensland's largest towns, with crime increasing alongside the prosperous mining industry.
Chinese miners hurried to the district seeking wealth but encountered severe prejudice and violent riots. Conflict also developed between prospectors and Aborigines trying to prevent what they saw as destruction of their land and Queensland's natural resources. In the mining era, Cooktown was reputed to have dozens of pubs and brothels, with dangerous streets. The peaceful town now lets visitors reach Cook's Lookout or investigate its past at the Museum and in the bush once inhabited by Aborigines.
Grassy Hill lookout, at 162m, provides impressive 360-degree views. A 1.5km path taking 45 minutes descends from the summit to Cherry Tree Bay beach. Charlotte St and Bicentennial Park contain several notable monuments, including the frequently photographed bronze Captain Cook statue.
James Cook Museum opens daily from 9AM-4PM between 1 May and 30 September, except during public holidays and extreme weather. It covers Cook's voyages, Aboriginal and natural history, the gold rush and the Chinese miners' legacy. The collection occupies a former convent school built in 1888 and operated by Irish nuns.
Getting around
Cooktown itself is easily covered on foot, with several worthwhile walks towards the national park and beaches beginning at the town's edge.
Several river trips depart from the dock. Passengers can expect a croc or two, many types of mangrove and birdlife, with perhaps a snake.
Money
Australia uses the Australian Dollar.
Opening Hours and
Shops and services normally trade Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and on Saturday until lunchtime. In cities and bigger towns, many stores remain open late on Thursday or Friday, generally until 9pm, and throughout Saturday; shopping centres are also often open on Sundays.
In remote rural districts, roadhouses supply every essential service and generally operate 24 hours a day on major highways. Tourist offices in visitor areas, including remote ones, frequently open daily or at least during the week and on weekend mornings, whereas urban information centres more often follow normal retail hours.
Museums, galleries, staffed historic monuments and other visitor attractions often open every day, although opening times in rural communities can be irregular.