| The
history of Cook's First Voyage of Discovery and
his stay and exploration of the area around the
mouth of what is now called the Endeavour River
is part of Cooktown's early history. |
Captain
James Cook, R.N., F.R.S., was born in North
Yorkshire, England in 1728. On joining the Royal
Navy from the merchant service, Cook's natural ability
as a navigator and leader led to promotion and commissioning
for the First Voyage of Discovery aboard HMS
Bark Endeavour.
In
the following 3 years, Cook observed and recorded
the transit of Venus at Tahiti, charted the coast
of New Zealand, the east coast of Australia and
part of the southern coast of New Guinea. In June
1770, the Endeavour grounded on an uncharted reef
whilst negotiating passage through the Great Barrier
Reef. The ship was beached in the later named Endeavour
River for repair. The 48 days spent in, in what
is now Cooktown, allowed much exploration of the
area. The collection of botanical specimens by Joseph
Banks and Daniel Solander, together with drawings
by Sydney Parkinson introduced the world to Australia's
amazing flora and fauna.
The
Re-enactment of Cook's Landing takes place annually
in June over the Queen's Birthday Weekend. |
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The
James Cook Museum administered by the National
Trust of Queensland is considered one of the most
significant Trust museums open to the public.
The building, designed by Scottish architect F.D.G.Stanley
and constructed in 1889 by the Catholic Church as
St Marys Convent for the Sisters of Mercy, was a
major centre for the education of women in Far North
Queensland until the Second World War.
In
1960 the Catholic Church donated the building to
the National Trust of Queensland. In 1969 the Trust,
the Queensland Government and private individuals
provided the funds to save the building from demolition.
It has operated as the James Cook museum since 1970.
Featuring the original anchor and one of the cannons
from "Endeavour," the museum also houses
collections on maritime, pastoral, Palmer Goldfields,
Indigenous and Chinese history.
In 1999 the $2.3 million James Cook Museum-Cook
Gallery Development project was initiated by the
National Trust of Queensland funded by the Commonwealth
Government through the Federation Fund to help celebrate
the Centenary of Federation. Opened in 2002, the
Endeavour Gallery exhibition building is a contemporary
addition to the old convent. The exhibition features
a unique perspective of the "Endeavour's"
visit to the Cooktown region in 1770 |
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Nature's
Powerhouse in the historic Botanic gardens is
home to the priceless collection of botanical illustrations
of over 150 local flowering plants by the late world-renowned
artist Vera Scarth-Johnson. This collection was
given, to the people of Cooktown, to encourage us
all in appreciating and protecting our unique environment.
Charlie Tanner dedicated his life to recording information
about the reptiles of Cape York and its bio diversity.
His legacy, bequested to the people of Cooktown,
is now a brilliant exhibition of snakes, crocodiles,
barramundi and other wonders, designed and constructed
by the Queensland Museum, and located in Nature's
powerhouse in the Botanical Gardens.. |
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exploring
the reef |
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| Cooktown
is the closest Australian town to the Great Barrier
Reef which lies just 10 kms offshore. |
| |
Dive
or snorkel the best reefs in the Far North and visit
Lizard Island.
Pristine reefs only 45 minutes from Cooktown can
be your introduction to Australia's Great Barrier
Reef, with the Ribbon Reefs, Flinders Island Group
& Hope Islands yours to explore.
Lizard Island with its magnificent Blue Lagoon and
clam gardens on Mrs Watson's Bay is within easy
reach of Cooktown by sea or air. A spectacular array
of both hard and soft corals are to be found, home
to the many exotically coloured reef fish. Camping
on Lizard Island is permitted in limited numbers. |
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Every
anglers dream, the renowned Ribbon Reefs are just
40 kms away with the Continental Shelf just beyond.
Here, in the home of the legendary black marlin,
the waters are so clear you can actually see fish
taking the bait.
Juvenile black marlin and sailfish are prolific
in these waters from April to August. Blue marlin,
mahi-mahi and larger Pacific sailfish can be caught
from November to March, with wahoo and dogfish tuna
present year round
Excellent catches of coral trout, barramundi cod,
red emperor, large and small mouth nannygai, trevally
and shark are common.
Fully equipped charter boats are available for half
day and extended trips on a share or sole basis.
Guided fishing tours can be arranged. |
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| MORE
INFORMATION: |
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PARADISE
BLUE
Snorkeling - Diving - Fishing |
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MARINE
AIR SEAPLANE
Lizard Island snorkeling |
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fishing
around cooktown |
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Cooktown
visitors and residents are amongst the luckiest
in Australia where fishing is concerned.
One of the truly unique features of fishing in Cooktown
is that large Spanish Mackerel, Barramundi, Queenfish,
Trevally and Mangrove Jack can be caught just by
walking onto the public wharf and throwing in a
line. So if you don't feel like hiring a boat, you
have an excellent chance of making a major catch
whilst still being within walking distance of your
accommodation The water visibility around the wharf
is generally good, allowing regular sightings of
huge gropers, which are protected, swimming close
to shore. Tinnies for hire are available at the
wharf. |
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Two
pristine tropical rivers, the Annan and the Endeavour,
provide accessible river fishing. Sport fishing
safaris are available with excellent guides up both
rivers..
Extended trips to the rivers and billabongs of Lakefield
National Park can be arranged, with all camping
gear and equipment provided. A more than exciting
Cape York experience.
Charter boats are available to fish the reef on
half day or extended trips. |
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If
beach fishing is your choice to the south of Cooktown
popular spots can be found at Quarantine Bay, Walker
Bay (4WD required and Archer Point.). To the north
try the Stone Wall at Marton.
Remember to familiarise yourself with fishing regulations
! Above all have a great days fishing in Cooktown
! |
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around
cooktown & the wet tropics |
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| Quarantine
Bay is a popular swimming beach for swimming
and fishing. Those keen to hook a barramundi cod
or mangrove jack should walk along the beach to
the northern side of Monkhouse Point where eroded
granite boulders provide excellent rock fishing.
|
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| Keatings
Lagoon is a conservation park set aside to protect
the wetlands and surrounding habitat which has been
a source of food and medicine over thousands of
years for the Gungarde people. A birdhide is located
at the end of a walking trail to view the prolific
birdlife. Numbered stations along the trail introduce
some of the plants of value to the Aboriginal community.
|
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| Archer
Point is one of the best beach fishing locations
on the coastline as well as providing panoramic
coastal views. |
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| Black
Mountain National Park is one of the most intriguing,
and is the northernmost tip of the Wet Tropics World
Heritage Area. The giant piles of black granite
boulders have been the subject of Aboriginal legend
and European stories over many years. A blue-green
algae on the boulders causes the black appearance.
The large white sections that can be seen are caused
by the boulders exploding during times of extreme
heat. The mountain is home to a variety of plants
and animals, some unique to the park. |
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| The
Annan Gorge with its rocky
river bed and spectacular water flow through the
gorge makes a great picnic spot. |
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| Trevethan
Falls is a very special getaway off the beaten
track. Access to the falls which are on private
land requires permission from the leaseholder and
a 4WD vehicle. |
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| The
Coast Road south through Helenvale,
Rossville and Bloomfield winds through
the Greater Daintree region, a group
of National Parks and primitive rainforest under
Wet Tropics protection. The Helenvale and Shiptons
Flat section has attracted the attention of botanists
and zoologists for many years. The elusive Bennetts
Tree Kangaroo is amongst the wildlife unique to
the region, together with prolific migratory and
regional birds. The Bloomfield Track, part of the
Coast road, pushes through pristine rainforest and
picturesque waterways, past magnificent beaches
and rugged mountains, to Cape Tribulation, Cow
Bay and the Daintree River ferry, an
unforgettable experience. |
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| From
its coastal boundary on the east, to the Black Mountain
in the west, this northern region offers visitors
a memorable and rewarding experience |
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WET
TROPICS MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
Detailed information on rainforest. |
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hopevale |
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Travelling
north from Cooktown takes you past the Cooktown
Airport, Barretts Lagoon with its birdlife
and water lilies, and through the rich farming &
grazing country of the Endeavour Valley.
The spectacular scenery you will see are the conglomerate
bluffs of the Dixon & Henderson ranges, the
rugged outline of Mt Fantastic and the conical shaped
hill with the rocky point on top, Connor's Knob.
Branigan's Bluff and Mount Rose, an extinct volcano,
can be seen as you approach the Endeavour Falls
Tourist Park.
Hexagon shaped pillars are volcanic formations which
form waterfalls and rapids along the river. The
Endeavour Falls are one such waterfall with access
through the beautiful parkland of the Tourist Park.
Enjoy a swim in the crocodile-free swimming hole
at the base of the Falls. Bush walk along the riverbank
to see the tree ferns, elkhorns, orchids in their
natural state and prolific birdlife.
Continuing north the valley ends and rises quite
steeply to a plateau. You will pass the Battle Camp
Road turnoff to Laura and Lakefield National Park.
A few minutes side trip along this 4WD route, over
rocky sandstone country, will take you across the
top of the Isabella Falls where there is
safe swimming. |
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| Continue
north to Hope Vale and Coloured Sands, where within
this region lies one of the most spectacular sand
dune environments on Cape York. |
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A
permit is required to access lands under the control
of the Hope Vale Community Council. $10.00 per vehicle
per day, available at the Council Office.
Elim Beach is approximately 20 kms past Hope
Vale, the road winding through white silica sandhills,
rugged escarpments and heathlands. With its white
sand and fringing reefs the beach is a remote and
beautiful spot. If you are in a 2WD park at entrance
(do not block or park near dwellings).
Coloured Sands is along the beach (4WD) at
low tide, or an easy 300m walk along the sands.
Best views can be had by climbing the soft sandhill
on the Northside.
COLLECTING SAND IS NOT PERMITTED |
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| Cooktown
to Hopevale 44 kms. |
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laura
& lakefield |
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| Lakeland,
with its small community, lies in a gigantic natural
basin formed millions of years ago by the eruptions
of several volcanoes. The fertile earth of the Laura
River Valley provides a wealth of agricultural activity
amongst them the unique Laura Valley Coffee. |
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| Have
a taste, freshly roasted, at the Lakeland Coffee
House & Store. |
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| Split
Rock Galleries, on the Development Road from
Lakeland to Laura, is one of hundreds of rock art
sites in the region known as Quinkan Country, after
the Aboriginal spirits (Quinkans), some good and
some bad, who haunt this sandstone country. With
more than a dozen major galleries the area provides
a rich tapestry of Australia's past cultures. |
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| Laura
features a Post Office, general store and the quaint
old Quinkan Hotel shaded by mango trees. |
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Lakefield
National Park is Queensland's second largest
flora and fauna reserve, and is the most accessible
park on Cape York Peninsula. The Normanby, Morehead
and North Kennedy Rivers provide the extensive park
drainage system eventually carrying the wet season's
flooding into Prince Charlotte Bay. The park has
prolific bird and wildlife and is a key area for
estaurine crocodile conservation.
Recommended suitable 4WD vehicles only, the park
is a campers paradise. |
