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City guide

Cooktown, Queensland

Cooktown is a coastal town and locality in the Shire of Cook, Queensland, Australia. Cooktown is at the mouth of the Endeavour River, on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland where James Cook beached his ship, the Endeavour, for repairs in 1770.

Type City

Why go

  • Town in Queensland, Australia.
  • Served by Lizard Island Airport (LZR).

History

Cooktown is a coastal town and locality in the Shire of Cook, Queensland, Australia. Cooktown is at the mouth of the Endeavour River, on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland where James Cook beached his ship, the Endeavour, for repairs in 1770. Both the town and Mount Cook which rises up behind the town were named after James Cook.

Airports

Cooktown Airport (CTN) 6.9 km to the centre
QLD, AU — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Helenvale Airport (HLV) 23 km to the centre
Helenvale, QLD, AU — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Hope Vale Airport (HPE) 25 km to the centre
Hope Vale, QLD, AU — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Cape Flattery Airport (CQP) 57 km to the centre
QLD, AU — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Lakeland Airport (LKD) 58 km to the centre
Lakeland Downs, QLD, AU — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Laura Airport (LUU) 85 km to the centre
QLD, AU — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

Cooktown, Queensland
Cooktown, Queensland
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page

When to go

Tourist season
October – March

The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.

Shoulder season
April – May, September

Milder and quieter, with better value.

Worth avoiding
June – August

The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Lizard Island Airport (LZR); 6 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Cooktown, Queensland. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

NSW TrainLink
National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Greyhound Australia
Intercity coach