Cooktown

Cooktown is a small coastal town in Far North Queensland|tropical north Queensland. In 1770 Captain James Cook landed on the banks of the Endeavour River repairing his ship Endeavour, after it ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef. A century later, in 1873, it became the port for the Palmer River Goldfields. Today it is billed as the gateway to the wilderness. It offers Mountains, Outback terrain, as well as some of the top scuba diving around.Although it still has well facilities, the town has more of a frontier feel, as is vastly different to the resort citys further south along the coast.

Cooktown Halal Explorer

History

The first European to visit Cooktown was in 1770 when Captain Cook holed his ship on a reef just south of Cooktown and had to beach his ship at the mouth of the Endeavour River to undertake repairs. He spent 48 days here. Over 100 years later, Cooktown became one of the main gateways into Australia with the gold rush to the Palmer River. Grand permanent buildings were established, and the population boomed. A railway was even constructed from Cooktown to the goldfields.

With the passing of the goldrush days, and a decline in shipping, Cooktown went into decline. The town was frequently cut off by flooding in the wet, and the gravel road to Cooktown was washed out frequently. Cooktown became a victim of its isolation.

The visit of the Queen Elizabeth II to Cooktown in 1970 still rates highly in the history of the town.

The sealed road made it to Cooktown in the 1990s, bringing with it a small resurgence in the fortunes of the town, with the arrival of tourism. The town's population has never recovered to the level of the goldrush days, but today is slowly increasing.

The place is called Gungardie in the language of the Guugu Yimithirr, and has had a continuous occupation by indigenous Australians stretching back thousands of years.

Geography

Cooktown - Cooktown viewed from Grassy Hill

The town itself is on the banks of the Endeavour River estuary, although only a few kilometers overland from the ocean.

There is an amazing natural environment that surrounds the area. From the Great Barrier Reef to the rainforests of the World Heritage Wet Tropics and the savannahs of Cape York. Cooktown is a great base to explore this these renowned areas.

Climate & Weather

Cooktown is well inside the tropics, experiences the seasonal monsoon in summer, and in general has warm and dry winters. There are a couple of weeks a year in winter when the weather can get cooler and rain is more common, usually around the beginning of July. The local residents will tell you that Cooktown has a couple of weeks of winter a year.

How to travel to Cooktown

Cairns is probably the main access point for Cooktown, with an international airport, and good bus and train connections around Australia. Most people arrive in Cooktown by car or camper.

By car

Cooktown is just over 300 km north by road, from Cairns. The drive to Cooktown from Cairns is easy. The trip takes around 3 hours, is well signposted and hard to get lost. The driving challenges begin north of here.

There is an unsealed dry-weather road that cuts through the Daintree National Park following the coast. It offers better scenery, but not usually a quicker trip. Rental cars are not usually permitted on this road.

Cooktown is just over 2000 km from Brisbane.

By air

Hinterland Aviation offer a regular service from Cairns to Cooktown with flights 3 times a day Monday to Friday and a Saturday morning flight.

Take a bus to Cooktown

Country Road Coachlines hlines.com.au travel by both the coastal and inland routes, connecting Cairns and Cooktown three times a week. The coastal service also stops in Port Douglas and the inland service in Kuranda.

How to get around in Cooktown

The township itself is easily traversed by foot, and there are a few interesting walks to the national park and beaches that start right at the edge of town. There is a taxi service in town, and an airport shuttle.

What to see in Cooktown

JamesCookMuseum - The James Cook Museum

You can get a combined pass to the Natures Powerhouse and the Botanical Gardens, the Bank Museum, and the James Cook Museum.

• Discovery Festival Every June (on the June long weekend) Cooktown celebrates Cook's landing with a re-enactment.

• James Cook Museum Cnr Helen & Furneaux Street -15.4689, 145.2506 ☎ +61 7 4069 5386 Opening Hours: Daily 9AM Monday - 4PM from 1 May to 30 September except during public holidays and extreme weather events Adults $15, children $5, concession $10, families $35 James Cook Historical Museum - JamesCookMuseum A Documents Cook's voyages, Aboriginal and natural history, the gold rush and the legacy of the Chinese miners. The museum is housed in a former convent school that was built in 1888 and run by Irish nuns.

• Bank Museum is run by the local historical society, and is a well presented history of the town.

• Grassy Hill - Close to town, provides a view little changed from that Captain Cook could have seen. The sunsets from Grassy Hill are renowned.

• Remains of blacksmith shop and chinese well (Turn off Bichtumen onto Oakey Creek Rd about 20 km along) at the oldest mango trees in Australia.
• The concrete steps by the side of the river in the park were built for the arrival of the Queen in 1970, she disembarked there during her short but resounding visit to Cooktown.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Cooktown

• Scenic Rim Walk
• Cemetery Walk - there is a walk that starts from behind the old train station, and goes along the magroves to the Cemetery. There are several historic graves to see.
• Botanic Gardens and large bush area, with a discovery visitors centre in the middle of the park. Highlight is probably the bushwalk over to Cherry Tree Bay that forms part of the Scenic Rim Walk.
• Cooktown river cruise sets off daily from the wharf up the Endeavour River. Expect to see a croc or two, large varieties of mangroves, birdlife, and maybe a snake.
• Musical Playground has xylophones, pipes, sails and drums. Fun for kids and adults alike, in the park next to the river.

Shopping in Cooktown

• The Croc Shop is the souvenir destination. It is also possible to view and purchase Aboriginal art.
• Cooktown is a base for supplies, and you should have no problem finding most things at the supermarkets in town.

Halal Restaurants in Cooktown

Expect to pay a premium over Cairns to eat out in Cooktown. There is a take-away/bakery at the southern end of town, which probably offers the best value, but closes early evening. If you don't take care of dinner early, you could be left with very few budget alternatives.

• Jackey Jackey Thai 152 Charlotte Street -15.46412, 145.25038 ☎ +61 7 4069 5951 Jackey Jackey was an historic building that used to be the general store. Now a Thai restaurant.

The pubs and clubs serve traditional pub and club fare. Expect to pay around $20+ for mains at these places.

Many of the hotels have restaurants, and there is a pizza place as well.

There are two clubs, and three pubs in Cooktown, all are located along the main strip, and you won't have any problem finding them. The Bowls Club and the RSL Club both have a similar feel, not much to tell them apart really. The Cooktown Hotel, known only as the Top Pub is the most visitor friendly. In days past the pubs had distinct clientele, but these days you should feel comfortable having a organic juice wherever you choose.

• Cooktown Hotel - The Top Pub | Meals 7 days, and lodging.

Buy Muslim Friendly Condos, Houses and Villas in Cooktown

eHalal Group Cooktown is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Cooktown. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Cooktown.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Cooktown ensures that customers have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000, these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Cooktown. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Cooktown, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

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Muslim Friendly hotels in Cooktown

• Milkwood Lodge - Six pole cabins, swimming pool on the road into Cooktown.

• Sovereign Resort Hotel 128 Charlotte Street -15.46611, 145.2505 ☎ +61 7 4043 0500 from $174 2 bedroom apartments and studios. A central pool and small tropical garden. Fronts straight onto the main strip. Nice view across to water from the restaurant and balcony upstairs, worth going up there for a coffee.

Stay safe

If you look at brochures for Cooktown from the 1990s they will advertise beaches and swimming as features of the town, but all those references have been removed from any recently produced documentation. Finch Bay and Cherry Tree Bay both have nice beaches, and you can drive to Finch Bay, and walk to Cherry Tree Bay. Crocodiles have been sighted at times on both beaches, and marine stingers are present during the season.

Crocodiles and stingers also inhabit the creeks, take care when bushwalking during the wet, if the creeks are up over the track, don't cross them.

Explore more Halal Friendly Destinations from Cooktown

Take Oakey Creek Rd and follow the road to the oldest mango trees in Australia, planted between Oakey Creek and Lions Creek. Over 30 trees in a line along the road that is about 20 km off bitumen. Amazing!

To continue further north than Laura requires planning. Its possible to go into the Cape Melville National Park along tracks, with a 4wd, or return to the Peninsula Developmental Road at Lakefield, to continue north to Weipa. The road is sealed and unsealed, but should be accessible to 2wd vehicles. Its essential to check road conditions, and to accept that roads can be closed quickly due to rising water at creek crossings.

At Cooktown you are still 900 km from the top of Australia at Cape York.

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