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COOKTOWN

Introduction

On the coast of the Coral Sea in the state of Queensland. Cooktown, which is across from the Great Barrier Reef, is a tourist destination. It also serves as a center for the surrounding agricultural area. 
The town has a small airstrip and a port and lies off the Peninsula Development Road connecting Cairns with Cape York. 
Cooktown is home to several museums, including the James Cook Museum, which has several historical items from the voyages of British explorer Captain James Cook. Cook beached his ship Endeavour at the site of Cooktown in 1770 after it had been damaged on the Great Barrier Reef. Cook and his crew were on peaceful terms with local Aborigines, and British naturalist Joseph Banks (later Sir Joseph) collected many samples, which he included in his writings on native plants and animals. In 1873 gold was discovered in the Palmer River and Cooktown, named for Cook, was founded nearby to serve the rush. Thirty thousand miners, many of them Chinese, flocked to the town and nearby Port Douglas. Cooktown declined after the boom.

Attractions

• Visitors have a selection of sight seeing menus from Grassy Hill which Captain Cook climbed to find a clear passage through the reef 

• The James Cook Museum, a statuesque convent building built in the 1880's and housing the actual anchor and cannon Cook had to jettison in order to refloat the Endeavour off the reef. The building was also used by American Forces during the war during the Battle of the Coral Sea.

• There's also the Botanical Gardens first planned and built in the 1880's

• The cemetery with Mrs. Watson's grave and the Chinese Shrine.

Activities

• Visit eerie Black Mountain, a place of weird smells, loose boulders, alive with snakes and goblins - many visit, few only return. 

• From Cooktown many guided safaris leave daily to explore National Parks, nearby Islands and Reefs. 

• This is heaven for the adventurous 4WD enthusiast. While camping out near beautiful waterfalls, quaint billabongs and rivers always be careful and watch out for crocodiles. 

• Fishing is also a popular past-time in the area, Beach Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Estuary Fishing, Reef Fishing and River Fishing are all catered for. 

• Adventure sports such as Bungy Jumping, Canoeing, Diving, Snorkeling, Swimming, Water Skiing, White Water Rafting and Wind Surfing are all enjoyed by visitors 

• If you prefer leisure activities, there is Beachcombing, Bird watching, Bush camping, Bush walking, Croc Spotting, Horse Riding and Hiking as well as, Island Cruises, Reef Cruises, River Cruises.