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Major city · Australia

CooktownGungardie

Give Cooktown 2 nights if you are driving the Cape or want reef and rainforest without resort crowds; skip it if you only have a week based in Cairns.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
May–Oct (dry season)
avoid Dec–Apr (wet season; road flooding and stingers)
Airports
CTN · CNS
Nights
2
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

Cooktown is a small Endeavour River town, about 330 km north of Cairns by sealed road, roughly a 3.5-hour drive. It was Captain Cook's repair stop in 1770 and later the port for the Palmer River goldfields. Facilities are solid but the feel is frontier, not resort: one main street, a working wharf, and wilderness on three sides. Two nights covers the museums, Grassy Hill and a river cruise; it is also the last supply town before the Cape York run.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Cooktown, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeA$5–7 (≈ US$4–5)
  • BeerBeer in a pubA$7–11 (≈ US$5–8)
  • Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (adult)James Cook Museum; children A$5, concession A$10, family A$35A$15 (≈ US$10)
  • Budget bedHostel or pub-room bed, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
  • Mid-range bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomA$190 (≈ US$130)
  • High-end bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomA$280 (≈ US$190)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$110 (≈ US$75) · Mid A$190 (≈ US$130) · High A$320 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

James Cook MuseumGrassy Hill lookoutEndeavour River cruisesGateway to Cape York and Lakefield
Airports
CTN Cooktown Airport (Hinterland Aviation from Cairns, three flights a day Monday to Friday plus a Saturday morning service) · CNS Cairns Airport (Main gateway; about 3.5 h by sealed road, or coach three times a week)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Cooktown: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

32°C

24°C

17 rd

Feb

31°C

24°C

17 rd

Mar

31°C

23°C

16 rd

Apr

30°C

22°C

11 rd

May

28°C

20°C

8 rd

Jun

27°C

18°C

6 rd

Jul

26°C

17°C

5 rd

Aug

27°C

17°C

4 rd

Sep

29°C

19°C

4 rd

Oct

31°C

21°C

5 rd

Nov

32°C

23°C

9 rd

Dec

32°C

24°C

14 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The town centre is walkable in 15 minutes end to end. There is a local taxi and an airport shuttle. For beaches, the cemetery walk and national park trails you want your own vehicle; the sealed road in from Cairns is easy, and rental cars are normally not permitted on the unsealed coastal route through the Daintree.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Grassy Hill lookout

go

Door to door: Under 30 min

Drive or a steep 20-minute walk up from town

Sunset is the reason to come; the view over the river mouth is the one Cook had.

Finch Bay

caution

Door to door: 15–20 min

Drive south of town, short walk to the sand

Look, don't swim: crocodiles have been seen here and stingers are seasonal.

Cherry Tree Bay via the Botanic Gardens

go

Door to door: 1–1.5 h return

Walk from the gardens on the Scenic Rim track

Start early; carry water and do not cross flooded creeks.

Mount Cook National Park

go

Door to door: Half day

Drive then walk the lookout trails

Trails and lookouts over the town and river; check park alerts first.

Laura (rock art)

caution

Door to door: Half day or overnight

Sealed and unsealed road north, about 1.5 h

Check road conditions; access to art sites is often by guided arrangement.

Lakefield / Cape York onward

overnight

Door to door: Multi-day

Peninsula Developmental Road, 4WD recommended

Cooktown is still about 900 km from the top of Australia; plan fuel and water.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Charlotte Street (main strip)

Pubs, clubs, eateries and the Sovereign Resort; walk to everything.

Waterfront and wharf area

River views, close to the cruise departure point and the foreshore park.

Road into town (Milkwood area)

Cabin and lodge stays a few minutes' drive south; you need a car.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
A$150–230 (≈ US$100–160) excl. bed
High
A$250 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or lodge double room1 × 2 nights × A$190A$380
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × A$190A$760
James Cook Museum entry2 × A$15A$30
Endeavour River cruise2 × A$60 · checkA$120
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25A$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$134
Trip total≈ A$369 per person per day, bed includedA$1,474≈ US$1,000

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeA$5–7 (≈ US$4–5)
Pub or club mainExpect a premium over Cairns.A$20–35 (≈ US$14–25)
Bakery takeaway lunchCloses early evening.A$10–18 (≈ US$7–12)
Beer in a pubA$7–11 (≈ US$5–8)
Museum entry (adult)James Cook Museum; children A$5, concession A$10, family A$35A$15 (≈ US$10)
Fuel, per litrecheck; higher than CairnsA$1.90–2.20 (≈ US$2)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Low crime, high nature risk: the real hazards are crocodiles, stingers, wet-season flooding and remote roads, not people. Do not swim in the river, creeks or beaches.
  • Crocodiles are present in the Endeavour River, creeks and at times on Finch Bay and Cherry Tree Bay: do not swim.
  • Marine stingers are in the water during the warmer months: swimming is not a casual option here.
  • Wet-season flooding can close the Cairns road and creek crossings; check road conditions before you drive.
  • Do not cross creeks that are running over the walking track.
  • Eating out costs more than in Cairns and the takeaway bakery closes early; sort dinner before evening.
  • Fuel and supplies north of here are limited: fill up and stock up in town.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From a mobile
112
Non-emergency police line
131 444

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

CooktownGungardie

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From a mobile112
  • Non-emergency police131 444

Embassy

No embassies in Cooktown; consulates and embassies are in Cairns, Brisbane or Canberra. US and UK travellers should register with their embassy before heading up the Cape.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Cairns → Cooktown by coach: three services a week, about 5 h (check)
  • Cairns → Cooktown by air: Hinterland Aviation, about 1 h (check)
  • Local taxi across town: A$10–20 (≈ US$7–14) (check)

Say or show

  • No swimming — crocodiles — No swimming — crocodiles
  • Is the road open? — Is the road open?
  • How much is it? — How much is it?
  • Where is the wharf? — Where is the wharf?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • I need help — I need help

Town is small and phone coverage is patchy outside it; download offline maps before you drive north.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cooktown. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Oct (dry season) · avoid Dec–Apr (wet season; road flooding and stingers) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for CTN: Hinterland Aviation schedule field-checked, taxi and shuttle fallback, late-arrival rung.
  2. Walking clusters with anchors: Charlotte Street, the wharf and foreshore park, Grassy Hill, the Botanic Gardens and Cherry Tree Bay.
  3. Place pages with verified opening seasons (James Cook Museum, Bank Museum, Nature's Powerhouse) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Wet-season and road-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources