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The museum is closed Mon-Tue. We went on Wednesday. Fairly small. The town is small with some beautiful views. Grassy Hill has very nice 260 degree view. The botanic gardens are lovely. Finch beach was unexpectedly pretty. The Mulligan Highway from Cairns is in superb shape.

Cooktown was not what I expected, it was far better than I was expecting. The town is very clean and tidy, great amenities and services. October just starting to a bit humid. Winter would be a better time to visit.

Lots of history on Capt Cook. Beautiful new river Prescinct with interesting signage of history in the area. Historical museum and cemetery worth a visit . The railway shop has lots of local handicrafts for sale . Good Cornett IGA on Helen St ( back street , not on Charlotte St ) Lots of bottle shops and options for eating out including bowls club, Pubs and Thai restaurant. Takeaway vans selling lunch food and coffee shops near the water . Easy to walk around . Bus trip from Cairns Trans North goes to Cooktown and return daily . Pick the days they drive the Bloomfield Track for an amazing experience

Cooktown is a a layback quiet town which has become more popular with tourists over the 20 years we have visited. It it a Southerners Haven May to October. If you are into Fishing the Charters out of Cooktown are among the best in Australia! If not, then it is simply a restful no pressure town with very friendly locals who are only so pleased that you have come to visit their little paradise!

It's a long drive from Cairns on a very good road (allow 4 hours), and there's not a great deal to do once you get there. There's a nice river-front walk, fishing jetties, playground for the kids, and a new water-park towards the end of the bay. Some nice pubs and restaurants to choose from, (Cooktown is noted for its seafood), and the usual souvenir shops. The museum is interesting but quite expensive at $25 per adult admission; worth it if you want to see the anchor from Capt. Cook's Endeavour and how it was retrieved. The sunset cruise on the Endeavour river is worth doing; byo drinks, but glasses, ice and a nice cheese platter is included, and Nick's commentary is worth the price of the cruise in itself. The Grassy Hill lookout is quite spectacular but you'll need to hold on to your hat as it gets very blustery up there, and the Botanic Gardens near Finch Bay are also worth a visit. If you're based in Cairns and just want to see Cooktown to tick it off your "been there, done that" list, I'd suggest heading north towards Port Douglas then veer off to Mount Molloy is a better way than the usual recommended route via Mareeba. Don't even try going via the Bloomfield Track through the Daintree unless you have a big 4WD.

What I like about Cooktown is the laid back atmosphere of the place and all locals are friendly and willing to help you. The food is good in the pubs or clubs and served in a timely manner. The view from the lookout is great and it's a nice stroll around the botanic gardens. It's a great place to getaway and do very little but mix with the locals. Recommend for weekend trip.