Explore Cooktown and Cape York Peninsula
Welcome to historic Cooktown, and the remote, unspoilt beauty of Cape York Peninsula. Captain Cook's arrival on the banks of the Endeavour River in 1770 led to his first recorded meaningful contact and reconciliation with Aboriginal people. Discover this unique history and Cooktown's colourful past on a stroll around town, and experience the raw beauty of one of Australia's last true frontiers.
Getting Here ...
- The Mulligan Highway
Get up to date road condition reports HERE
Travel the fully sealed Inland route to Cooktown or take the scenic Coastal route including the 4WD Bloomfield Track.
See our Getting Here page for details
Unique Events
- Cooktown Discovery Festival
Time your visit to coincide with one of our unique Events.
Cooktown Discovery Festival - June 8 -11
Laura Races and Rodeo - June 30 - July 01
Wallaby Creek Festival Sept 28 - 30
Total Solar Eclipse - Nov 14
Suggested Itineraries
- Bloomfield Falls
Self drive to Cooktown and Cape York Peninsula on The Great Tropical Drive - push your frontiers
Daintree-Cooktown Explorer Trail
Cooktown-Laura Discovery Trail
Suggested Cape York Itinerary
Accommodation
- Sovereign Resort Hotel
Find accommodation to suit all budgets from natural campsites, farmstays, historic pubs, backpackers and motels to resort hotels
Tours
- Guurrbi Tours
Experience the region on a local guided tour - horse riding trails, fishing charters, guided coach tours, Aboriginal tours and river nature cruises
2012 Travel Planner
- N.P. Campsite bookings e-permit information
From February 2012, all camping in national park and resource reserve camping areas on Cape York Peninsula will need to be pre-booked.
Self registration will no longer be available and campers need to buy an e-permit before arriving at the camping area.
E-permits can be booked online HERE
June 08 - 11 Cooktown Discovery Festival
June 08 - 10 Weipa Fishing Classic Competition
July 28-Aug 04 and 25 Aug-02 Sept Cape York Yoga Retreats
Sept 30-Oct 14 2012 - Ross Franzi Art Master Classes at Mungumby Lodge - see full programme
November 14 - Total Solar Eclipse in Cook Shire
See our Photo Galleries of Beautiful Cape York
A selection of photo galleries throughout Cooktown and Cape York Peninsula
2011 Characters of the Cape Photo Exhibition photo gallery
Cooktown and Cape York Media Centre
See our Media Kit pages for downloadable 2012 Media Kit and downloadable stock photos, and suggested travel features
View the Cooktown and Cape York You Tube Channel for inspirational film clips of the region
Join our social network at the Cooktown Tropical North Queensland page on Facebook and the MyCooktown page on Twitter
Read the Cooktown and Cape York blog
