sunset tours cooktown

Things to do & see

Grassy Hill Lookout

A breathtaking 360deg view of the Endeavour River and the Great Barrier Reefs.

The landscape you see today from the top of the hill has changed little since Captain James Cook and the crew of the HM Bark Endeavour climbed Grassy Hill in 1770 to view the surrounding reefs enabling him to navigate a safe passage. One of Cooktown’s most breathtaking sights especially at sunrise and sunset.

Archer Point & Archer Point Lighthouse

Located about 20 km outside Cooktown signposted from the Mulligan Highway, you travel 2km approx.

10km along an unsealed access road. Often windy, this is a popular spot for kite surfers. As the 3 beaches are all facing a different direction there is always a calm beach to relax on. From the beach at low tide, you can walk out to the reef and snorkel off the point, but beware of crocodiles and stingers. It’s a great spot for all levels of fishing expertise. This is a non-camping area – but great for day trips, there are no facilities, make sure you take adequate drinking water, the views from the lighthouse are spectacular.

Keating’s Lagoon Conservation Park (Mulbabidgee)

This scenic wetland habitat is a popular bird watchers retreat, located 8kms south of Cooktown.

Keating’s Lagoon is a natural freshwater lagoon that traps and holds wet season runoff which then creates an ideal habitat for wetland vegetation, which provides abundant food for animals and migratory water birds. This easy boardwalk track takes you 300m through the wetland to a bird hide then continues on to a picnic area.

Mt Cook National Park

Mt Cook is the backdrop of Cooktown which can be hiked, it’s a 3.4km return trip up a steep bushland gully.

The average return time is 3-4 hours, the view from the summit is breathtaking and highly recommended to see at sunrise. The track becomes slippery and narrow when near the summit to take caution.

Cooktown Cemetery

This heritage listed cemetery was built from 1874 to 1920.

The layout of the cemetery is an example of late nineteenth century planning with denominational divisions being apparent with Roman Catholic, Protestant, Chinese and Jewish sections.

The Boat House

Waymbuurr Milbi Cultural Centre.

A not-for-profit organization dedicated to share the history of the Indigenous and European people who encountered each other here at the Endeavour River in Cooktown in 1770. Waymbuurr Milbi (The Waymbuurr Story) Cultural Centre is a newly built centre on the site of the old Boathouse.

The Lion’s Den Hotel

lionsdenhotel.net.au

The Lion’s Den Hotel has been an important stop for tourists and locals for decades.

A rest stop from the gruelling travel throughout the Cape York Peninsula. As the rugged dirt roads gave way to bitumen, the Lion’s Den became a popular tourist destination and camping spot with one of the few safe swimming holes enjoyed by locals and travellers in the far north.

Cooktown Hotel – Top Pub

This beautiful old weatherboard two storey pub was originally established in 1874.

It is now a popular watering hole with the locals and tourists and affectionately known as the Top Pub or The Toppie. The Cooktown Hotel has great food, entertainment and accommodation. Everybody is always welcome.

Cooktown Tours | Australian Outback Adventures | The Tour Specialists

Cooktown plays a big part in the story of our cultural heritage with the landing of Captain Cooks ship the Endeavour in the Cooktown river where she underwent repairs and re-supplying of the ship for her to continue her voyage. Cooktown also plays a big role in our countries gold mining and cattle farming history and today it is a destination that people make the trek to to see these historical and iconic places. People also visit here on luxury private charter boats as the Great Barrier Reef from here holds some of the most spectacular diving destinations in the world and scuba divers come from the world over to see it as do the deep sea fishermen for the huge Black Marlin. Book a fly/drive tour or multi overnight tours to really explore Cooktown and its history

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Cooktown Tours | Atherton Tablelands | Outback Cairns Tour - 5 Days - FNE

Discover Cooktown and the Atherton Tablelands over 5 days. Highlights include Crater Lakes National Park, Waterfall Circuit, Paronella Park, Daintree Rainforest, Bloomfield Track and Cooktown.

Departing: Cairns

Pickup: Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches, Palm Cove, Port Douglas

Cooktown & Daintree Rainforest Tour - Private Tour - 2 Days - FNE

Combine two of Cairns and Far North Queenslands most popular destinations over 2 days for the ultimate Cooktown and Daintree Rainforest Tour.

Pickup: Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches, Port Douglas

Cooktown Tours - 3 Day Outback Cairns 4WD Tour - FNE

Our 3 day Cooktown tour will immerse you in all the highlights of the region has to offer as we make our way to Cooktown through the Daintree Rainforest with your local tour guide in an air-conditioned 4WD.

Cape York to Cairns Safari - 12 Days - Eco - FNE

Small group Cape York tours explore Far North Queensland over 12 days on a Drive/Fly safari adventure.

Cairns To Cooktown 4WD Day Tour

Is a four wheel drive tour to Cooktown on your bucket list? Tick it off by enjoying our fabulous, small group personalised full day 4WD tour in our purpose built air conditioned 4WD coach!

Pickup: Cairns, Palm Cove, Port Douglas

Cape York Scenic Flight Day Tour | Cooktown to The Tip | DA

Cape York scenic flight and day tour from Cooktown. Take a low level scenic flight that covers spectacular views of the Great Barrier Reef onto Cape York.

Departing: Cooktown

3 Day 2 Night Cape Tribulation, Daintree Rainforest & Cooktown | CCW

Travel in luxury custom built 4WD overland vehicles with a small select group on a quality Cooktown, Rainforest & Outback tour. 3 Day 2 Night is just the perfect amunt of time to cover it all without feeling rushed.

Cooktown, Daintree & Atherton Tablelands 4WD Tour | 3 Day / 2 Night | DTA CK1/CKS

This 3-day Cooktown tour is an amazing way to see the very best of Tropical Far North Queensland,

Pickup: Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches, Palm Cove

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1300 231 118 Intl +61 7 4059 59 59

Office Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm AEST

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Cooktown is one of Australia’s most unique coastal townships, guests can immerse themselves in the rich historical, cultural and natural beauty of Cooktown. Book a scenic flight day tour to Lizard Island or Cape York or a fly/drive tour of Cooktown and the surrounding attractions.

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About cooktown.

A visit to Cooktown will have you immersed in rich historical, cultural and natural wonders. Discovered by Captain James Cook during his 1770 east coast voyage, Cooktown was once a bustling gold rush settlement and home to one of Queensland’s busiest ports. 

The town itself sits upon the Great Barrier Reef and is surrounded by secluded beaches, lush tropical rainforest and mountain ranges.

Cooktown is reachable by a sealed road that extends 330km north of Cairns along Mulligan Highway. For those seeking a little more adventure, take a 1 day   4WD along Bloomfield Track from the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest or spend a few days exploring and immersing yourself in the region. Cooktown also has a regional airport and boasts an array of accommodation options suited to your holiday needs, spanning from budget motels to 4-star resorts.

Immerse yourself in the culture and history of Cooktown

• A visit to James Cook Museum is an absolute must when visiting Cooktown. The 1889 historical building originally served as a convent and here you can explore the numerous exhibitions on offer, including the creepy crawly display! 
• Take a stroll through the historic Cooktown Cemetery to a gain a true insight into the town’s dense multicultural history, marvel at the Aboriginal art collage of Milibi Wall and discover the numerous galleries in town.
• Each year, Cooktown plays host to the three-day Cooktown Discovery Festival that commemorates the landing of Captain Cook and his encounter with the local indigenous Guugu Yimithirr people. In 2020, the town will host a 48-day festival to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Cook's landing.

Outdoor adventures

• Book a scenic flight to explore the sights of Cooktown or to spend the day on Lizard Island
• From Cooktown board an air-conditioned aircraft for a day tour to the tip of Australia to see Cape York 
• Explore the monuments at the top of Grassy Hill Lookout and marvel at the stunning 360-degree view of the surrounding coastline and lush rainforest. From here, we highly recommend following the walking trail through to Cherry Tree Bay, one of the many secluded beaches in the area. Don’t forget to spot for Dolphins or Dugongs!
• Cooktown’s Botanic Gardens are also well worth a visit. The gardens are home to Nature’s Powerhouse which acts as the town’s visitor information centre. The centre boasts numerous galleries, exhibitions and an on site café. Relax in the gardens, enjoy a picnic or follow the walking track to Finch Bay for a spot of fishing or simply to laze the day away on the white sands.
• If you are seeking a more strenuous yet rewarding hike, Mount Cook offers a number of walking trails not for the faint-hearted. You will need a day to venture along many of these hikes but expect to be rewarded with fantastic views of the mountain ranges and Great Barrier Reef.
• If fishing is on your holiday to do list then you’ve come to the right place. Cooktown River and the many off shore reefs offer world class fishing well known for Barramundi, Coral Trout and if you are lucky, the infamous Black Marlin.
• In town, Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular local spot with a number of charters and boat hire options available. The wharf is also a great place to watch the sun set over the Wild North.

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Whitsundays Health Retreat - Luxury Health & Wellness Retreat

Is Green Island better for snorkelling and other island activities or is Fitzroy Island more your style?

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1300 231 118 Intl +61 7 4059 59 59

Office Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm AEST

Barrier Reef Time: 19:21

Riverbend Tours is a locally owned family business in Cooktown.

Nick, your skipper and guide has worked in marine tourism along Australia’s East Coast and Northern Territory for over twenty years. From remote Cape York resorts, care taking remote coastal islands, skippering Great Barrier Reef dive boats and most recently as a tour guide at Nitmiluk National Park on Katherine Gorge; Nick’s passion for remote marine environments is self evident.

Nick has been based in Cooktown since 2010, married to wife Krissy and has three young boys, Max, Jessie and Woody. In early 2014 Nautilus was acquired from Mossman and extensively refitted and took to the water in July 2015.

• 0411 836 155

Our tours depart from the Cooktown Public Boat Ramp,  located opposite the Seaview Motel. The boat will be alongside the boat ramp pontoon 10 minutes prior to departure for boarding.