Cooktown is in Cook Shire in tropical north Queensland.
History of Cooktown
In 1770, Captain James Cook spent 48 days here on the banks of the Endeavour River repairing his ship Endeavour, after it ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef. A century later, in 1873, it became the port for the Palmer River Goldfields. Today it is billed as the gateway to the wilderness. It offers Mountains, Outback terrain, as well as some of the top scuba diving around. The Guugu Yimithirr name for the region, Gan.gaarr, means "(place of the) rock crystals," as quartz crystals, which were used in various Aboriginal ceremonies, are found in the vicinity and used to be traded at least as far south as modern Mossman, to the north of Cairns.
Adventure Travel & Tours in Cooktown
Adventure Travel represents over 1,000 hostels, hotels, tour companies & attractions across Australia that we can book for you often at a discouted rate. At Adventure Travel we also operate a number of our own tours.
Currency used in Cooktown
In Cooktown the standard currency used is the Australia Dollar. The Australia dollar comes in denominations of 5c ,10c ,20c ,50c ,$1 & 2$ coins, and $5, $10, $20, $50 & $100 notes. Most bars, restaurants, backpacker hostels, shops and Adventure Tour desks in Cooktown all take credit card, eftpos and cash. There is several cash machines in Cooktown all which dispense the Australia Dollar currency. To check the Australian dollar exchange rate against a foreign currency then click here.
Backpacker Hostel Accommodation & Hotels in Cooktown
In Cooktown there is a number of Backpacker Hostels and Hotels where we can pre - book your accommodation. If you are looking for a budget hostel bed the click here or if you are looking for more luxurious accommodation then click here.
Discounted Travel Insurance
Adventure Travel offers a range of Backpacker Insurance policies at heavily discounted rates. We understand that you are on a budget and prefer to save your money to backpack around the world.
Security in Cooktown
Cooktown in Australia is a very safe place to travel with 1,000's of visitors touring through Cooktown every year. This is a popular destination for sailing enthusiasts, sunlovers, families and backpackers. To check any foreign office information on Australia you can click here.
Weather in Cooktown
The weather in Cooktown is seasonal with 2 distinctive seasons : May - Oct (Dry Season), Nov - April (Green Season) To get more information on the weather in Cooktown, Australia, then click here.
Travel to Cooktown
By Road, Cooktown is 2,047 km on North Coastal Road or 2,137 km via Peninsula Road north of Brisbane. From Cairns it is just over 300 km north.
Things to see in Cooktown
The Discovery Festival, held every June, is when Cooktown celebrates Cook's landing with a re-enactment.
JamesCookMuseum, documents Cook's voyages, Aboriginal and natural history, the gold rush and the legacy of the Chinese miners. Irish nuns house the museum in a former convent school that was built in 1888 and run.
Tours / Packages Related To: Cooktown
Kuku Yalanji Cultural Heritage Tours If you feel it's time to get native, join the Kubirri Warra brothers on one of their beach, mudflat and mangrove walks! Linc and Brandon Walker follow the traditions of their ancestors who, for thousands of years, educated visitors about their Kuku Yalanji culture. Today the brothers teach their...
From $75 AUD
Indigenous Tours Cooktown Cooktown with Nugal-warra Elder, Willie Gordo These magical, award-winning tours with Aboriginal Elder, Willie Gordon, are now listed as one of Australia's Ultimate Must-Do Experiences. Willie takes guests to his ancestral rock art sites, set in stunning countryside high in the hills above Ho...
From $120 AUD
Cooktown & Rainbow Serpent Tour This magical award winning Aboriginal tour with Aboriginal Elder – Wilfred (Willie) Gordon, listed as one of Australia’s Ultimate-Must-Do-Experiences.Make your way to Cairns Domestic Airport for your 45 minute flight with Skytrans Airlines to Cooktown. Enjoy the spectacular views as you ...
From $569 AUD
Daintree Dreaming Tour - ex Cairns After being collected from your hotel we drive north to Cooya Beach for the Coastal Beach Walk with Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours, followed by tea or coffee, and freshly-made damper. We then continue north to Daintree Village, on the banks of the mighty Daintree River, and on to the secluded 4...
From $169 AUD
Bloomfield Falls Tours - Walker Family The Walker Family, a close-knit group of wonderfully warm and friendly people, are members of the Kuku Yalanji clan who have lived in this area for tens of thousands of years. Their traditional lands are part of the beautiful World Heritage rainforest area, and encompass the Bloomfield Falls, after ...
From $15 AUD
Drive-Fly 4WD Cooktown Adventure You will be collected by our air-conditioned four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle. Travel north along the Captain Cook Highway, one of Australia’s most scenic coastal drives towards the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park, crossing the mighty Daintree River by cable ferry. ...
From $345 AUD
Cooktown & Rainbow Serpent Tour Day 1: Daintree & Cape TribulationYou will be collected from your accommodation by our air-conditioned 4wd vehicle, and travel north to Cooktown on the Bama Way. The journey takes you across the Daintree River by cable ferry, then along one of Australia’s most scenic coastal routes throug...
From $575 AUD
Cooktown & Rainbow Serpent Tour- ex Cairns Day 1 (L)After collecting you from your accommodation in our air-conditioned four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle, we travel north along the Captain Cook Highway. Our journey takes us across the Daintree River by cable ferry, then along one of Australia’s most scenic coastal routes through the World...
From $479 AUD
2 day Cooktown Explorer Day 1 (L) You will be collected by our air-conditioned four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle. We travel north along the Captain Cook Highway, one of Australia’s most scenic coastal drives towards the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park, crossing the mighty Daintree River by cable...
From $359 AUD
Cape Tribulation and Cooktown Wanderer Day 1 (L) This morning you will be collected from your accommodation by our industry partner Billy Tea Bush Safaris. Travel north along the scenic route to Mossman, lush farmland contrasts with seascape as we approach the majestic Daintree River. A short morning tea break, then its 'all ab...
From $469 AUD
* *Local Payment $20
Indigenous Cultural Adventure - ex Cairns Day 1 (LD) Cairns – Cape Tribulation Today, your journey of discovery begins as you travel north along one of Australia’s most scenic coastal drives to Cooya Beach to join Kubirri Warra brothers on one of their beach, mudflat and mangrove walks. Linc and Brandon Walker, ...
From $969 AUD
Cairns, Dunk Island, Townsville Cruise Explore all the hidden jewels of the Great Barrier Reef. Three and four night small ship cruises allow you to swim, snorkel and SCUBA dive amid the fish and corals in the clear tropical waters. Or you can join our marine biologist aboard the glass bottom boat, stroll golden sandy b...
From $1496 AUD
* *Local Payment AU$16.50
7 Days Cape York Frontier - Cairns to Cairns Face the far north wilderness on a 4WD safari Cape York Frontier. Visit Daintree National Park, Cooktown, Lakefield National Park and Thursday Island.Day 1: Cairns - CooktownDepart Cairns at 7.00am. Travel north through the Daintree Rainforest. Cross the infamous Daintree River by cable ferry and tr...
From $3195 AUD
Cape York Adventure Safari - ex Cairns Day 1 Cairns to Hann RiverTravel through Mareeba and the Palmer River area famous for it gold rush glory days then onto Lakelands Downs. On to Quinkan country and view Aboriginal rock art at Split Rock. A brief stop at Laura, then onto Hann River to make camp for the night. (LD)Day 2...
