Cooktown

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Cooktown is about as far north as a tourist can drive in Queensland. It lies to the north of the Daintree rainforest, Port Douglas and Cairns and is one of Australia’s historic places. The town gained its name from the visit that was paid by Captain James Cook during his exploration of Australia’s east coast. It was not an intentional visit for Cook. In the days preceding his visit, Cook and the Endeavor ran aground on Endeavor reef to the south east of Cooktown. The vessels hull was holed and she needed urgent repairs before the Endeavor could continue its voyage. The ship was lightened by jettisoning heavy objects such as cannons and ballast and then limped into the Endeavor River at Cooktown where she was careened and repaired with local timbers. Before his departure, Cook climbed the highest coastal hill in the town to see where the reefs were located and then set sail again to the north.

Today, Cooktown is a small tourist and fishing port. The town is filled with interesting and historic buildings and since the all weather road from Cairns was sealed a few years ago has begun to grow. It is surrounded by interesting scenery and is just north of the magnificent Daintree rainforest. Just inland is Black Mountain which is a huge pile of black volcanic boulders that were left after some ancient glacier melted eons ago. The effect is quite spectacular and the rocky hillsides are home to some of the country’s unique wallaby and kangaroo species.

Many fishermen come to Cooktown for an offshore charter. The local waters are some of the least fished on the east coast and many large fish of many different species can be caught here. The rivers are alive with Barramundi and Australian Thredfin salmon while the offshore fishing grounds produce practically everything from giant Black Marlin through to table fish like Red Emperor and Coral Trout. Crocodiles are common in the river and it is wise to keep a keen lookout. In 2009 a camper lost his life to a local crocodile while checking a crab pot on the river bank.

If you like to really get away from the beaten tourist path and see some of the more remote places in Australia, come and spend a few days in Cooktown.