Port Douglas ATTRACTIONS See all
Cooktown
The relaxed coastal town of Cooktown is a popular excursion from Port Douglas.
Captain Cook beached his ship the Endeavour here, hence the name. These days daytrippers come here to visit the intriguing James Cook Historical Museum, to pay their respects to his statue overlooking Bicentennial Park, and order up a seafood platter at a local restaurant.
Cooktown has some impressive buildings for an outback coastal town, thanks to the 1870s to 1890s gold rush at the nearby Palmer goldfields. The town’s impressive botanic gardens date from this period.
Practical Info
Cooktown is one of the most northerly settlements on Australia’s far north coast, before the wilds of Cape York Peninsula take over. Port Douglas is 267 km (166 miles) south of Cooktown.
A tour to Cooktown from Port Douglas can combine the scenic coastal route, traveling through the Daintree to Cape Tribulation along the Bloomfield Track, and the inland Mulligan Highway for iconic outback landscapes.
Tours & Tickets
Cooktown 4WD Adventure Tour from Cairns or Port Douglas
Explore the historic township of Cooktown as you drive through the magical World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park and the famous Bloomfield Track on this ... Read more
Location:
Cairns, Northern Beaches and Port Douglas, Australia
Duration: 14 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
2-Day Cooktown 4WD Small-Group Tour from Cairns or Port Douglas
Discover Australia's Aboriginal culture and explore the rugged beauty of the Lower Cape on this 2-day Cooktown small-group tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. ... Read more
Location:
Cairns, Northern Beaches and Port Douglas, Australia
Duration: 2 days (approx.)
