Alana’s Cooktown Guidebook

Alana
Alana’s Cooktown Guidebook

Sightseeing

Discover the rich history of Cooktown in Far North Queensland. Set in a stunning nineteenth-century convent, James Cook Museum is a must-see when visiting far North Queensland.
James Cook Museum
50 Helen St
Discover the rich history of Cooktown in Far North Queensland. Set in a stunning nineteenth-century convent, James Cook Museum is a must-see when visiting far North Queensland.
Grassy Hill offers a 360 degree view of Cooktown, the Endeavour River and the Great Barrier Reef. Although now quite heavily forested, Grassy Hill is so known because local aboriginals deliberately burnt the forest on the hill to encourage re-growth of vegetation and draw animals to the area for hunting. The landscape you see today from the top of the hill has changed little since Captain James Cook and the crew of the HMB Endeavour climbed Grassy Hill in 1770 to view the surrounding reefs enabling him to navigate a safe passage. The views today, especially at sunset and sunrise, are still as spectacular as in 1770 making Grassy Hill one of Cooktown's most popular attractions.
Grassy Hill Lookout
Hope Street
Grassy Hill offers a 360 degree view of Cooktown, the Endeavour River and the Great Barrier Reef. Although now quite heavily forested, Grassy Hill is so known because local aboriginals deliberately burnt the forest on the hill to encourage re-growth of vegetation and draw animals to the area for hunting. The landscape you see today from the top of the hill has changed little since Captain James Cook and the crew of the HMB Endeavour climbed Grassy Hill in 1770 to view the surrounding reefs enabling him to navigate a safe passage. The views today, especially at sunset and sunrise, are still as spectacular as in 1770 making Grassy Hill one of Cooktown's most popular attractions.
4wd is a must, a short and steep goat track will take you to an area below the falls. Swimming is great, you can get to the bottom of the falls. Take some lunch as you may want to spend awhile.
Trevathan Falls
4wd is a must, a short and steep goat track will take you to an area below the falls. Swimming is great, you can get to the bottom of the falls. Take some lunch as you may want to spend awhile.
Nature's PowerHouse, a large interpretive centre stunningly situated within Cooktown's historic Botanic Gardens, houses the nationally significant Vera Scarth-Johnson botanical illustrations, a natural history display, gift store, and café, as well as being the Cook Shire Visitor Information Centre.
Nature's PowerHouse
1 Walker St
Nature's PowerHouse, a large interpretive centre stunningly situated within Cooktown's historic Botanic Gardens, houses the nationally significant Vera Scarth-Johnson botanical illustrations, a natural history display, gift store, and café, as well as being the Cook Shire Visitor Information Centre.
The Cooktown History Centre is run by volunteers who are friendly, helpful and able to provide valuable information about Cooktown and surrounding areas. The display with information provided is well worth a visit.
Cooktown History Centre
121 Charlotte St
The Cooktown History Centre is run by volunteers who are friendly, helpful and able to provide valuable information about Cooktown and surrounding areas. The display with information provided is well worth a visit.
This remote and beautiful coastal national park features rugged tropical rainforest hinterland and sea-sculpted headlands, fringed with expansive sandy beaches. 40klms south of Cooktown
Cedar Bay National Park
This remote and beautiful coastal national park features rugged tropical rainforest hinterland and sea-sculpted headlands, fringed with expansive sandy beaches. 40klms south of Cooktown

Food scene

Awesome Thai Food!
Jackey Jackey Thai
152 Charlotte St
Awesome Thai Food!
Best cafe in town!
Driftwood Cafe
160 Charlotte St
Best cafe in town!
Very welcoming venue, the food was excellent, and the kitchen very well run, attentive and friendly staff the icing on the cake.
Bowls Club
129 Charlotte Street
Very welcoming venue, the food was excellent, and the kitchen very well run, attentive and friendly staff the icing on the cake.
Tuesday night specials are great value, the meals very delicious and well sized and can get the courtesy bus to take you back to your accommodation.
127 Charlotte St
127 Charlotte Street
Tuesday night specials are great value, the meals very delicious and well sized and can get the courtesy bus to take you back to your accommodation.
Best coffee in Cooktown, beautiful position to relax and take in the views of the river. The menu has a range of healthy foods for breakfast, lunch or brunch.
160 Charlotte St
160 Charlotte Street
Best coffee in Cooktown, beautiful position to relax and take in the views of the river. The menu has a range of healthy foods for breakfast, lunch or brunch.
The menu is absolutely fantastic! Lee and her hubby are so welcoming and interesting - just fantastic. If you do nothing else in Cooktown, make sure you have dinner here one night
River of Gold Motel
The menu is absolutely fantastic! Lee and her hubby are so welcoming and interesting - just fantastic. If you do nothing else in Cooktown, make sure you have dinner here one night
Great food, serving sizes are big and food was well cooked from fresh ingredients. Lovely location. Worth a visit not only for the sunset view but for the actual food quality.
Sovereign Resort
128 Charlotte Street
Great food, serving sizes are big and food was well cooked from fresh ingredients. Lovely location. Worth a visit not only for the sunset view but for the actual food quality.
Great breakfast with a view over the river. Added bonus of the locals hanging out telling each other “Cooktown” stories.
Cook's Landing Kiosk
7 Webber Esplanade
Great breakfast with a view over the river. Added bonus of the locals hanging out telling each other “Cooktown” stories.
Best fish n chips in Cooktown!! And large luscious serves.
9 Furneaux St
9 Furneaux Street
Best fish n chips in Cooktown!! And large luscious serves.