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A Tropical Paradise!
For all the adventure seekers! If you plan a trip to Australia’s tropical far north Queensland, you can’t miss the hidden gem Cooktown. This charming town is packed with history, natural beauty, and plenty of activities for every traveller.
So, what’s there to see in and around Cooktown?
First things first, Captain James Cook’s famous landing site! Cooktown is named after the legendary explorer, and you can visit the very spot where he beached the HMS Endeavour back in 1770. It’s like stepping into a history book! Don’t forget to snap a selfie with the iconic Cook Monument while you’re there. The Cooktown Museum is your go-to spot if you’re a history buff. It houses artifacts from Cook’s time and the gold rush era. You’ll get a glimpse into the past that’ll leave you fascinated.
The Botanic Gardens are a must-see with magnificent Paperbarks, native species, and palms. The Nature’s Powerhouse Coffee Shop and Gallery hosting a collection of Vera Scarf Johnson’s botanicals and amazing aboriginal art is well worth a look. A walk from there to Finch Bay or drive to Quarantine Bay and walk along beaches untouched by developers, no high rises, or resorts just peaceful natural beauty.
Why not indulge yourself and go on the Twilight River Cruise, maybe see some of the local crocodiles, or try for that elusive barramundi on a river fishing charter?
Feeling like a bit more adventure? Take a drive 1 hour north of Cooktown to Elim Beach, a picture postcard beach with paperbarks, coconut palms, button, and native orchids growing everywhere. This is native land with a camp area right on the beach. Take a picnic lunch and relax on the white sand or have a fish. Nearby just to the north are the Coloured Sands, accessible on foot along the beach at low tide or by 4-wheel drive.
Now, if you’re a nature enthusiast, you’re in for a treat. Cooktown is surrounded by lush rainforests, and the nearby Daintree National Park to the south. Take a drive through this UNESCO World Heritage-listed wonderland, and you’ll encounter exotic wildlife, refreshing waterfalls, and ancient trees that’ll make you feel like you’ve entered a prehistoric world. You will drive through Black Mountain another must-see with an information board on how it came to be. The famous Lion’s Den Hotel is a good stop-off point for a bit of local history about the area, lunch, and a photo shot with the lion out the front.
Let’s talk about food. Cooktown is known for its seafood. Whether it’s a seafood platter at a local restaurant or Cooks Landing where Matt does the best Fish and chips right on the waterfront once again with a million-dollar view. A short walk from there you will find another hidden gem in Cooktown’s very own and extremely delicious French Patisserie, your taste buds will thank you. For the health conscious, Bektopia down on the foreshore does a great coffee, healthy breakfast, and lunches. A Water Park for the kids, shaded BBQs, and fishing platforms so you can fish safely.
So, there you have it, folks! Cooktown is a treasure trove of history, natural beauty, and adventure. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or just looking for a relaxing getaway, Cooktown has something special waiting for you. So, pack your bags and get ready to make some amazing memories in this Aussie paradise!
Can’t wait to come visit x
We had the pleasure of staying at “Paperback Retreat” earlier in the year after it was recommended to us by some travellers we had met.
What an amazingly peaceful tranquil location set in the most beautiful gardens ,inviting pool and outdoor area to chill and take in the serenity.
Rooms are modern and comfortable, an open plan with your own private access to its sweeping verandah’s.
Tony and sue are the most amazing hosts and after a fruitful afternoons fishing my wife and i brought back a mangrove jack and a bara to “Paperbark” and our hosts put together a first class banquet with them for us.
Put Cooktown and “Paperbark Retreat ” at the top of your next travel list !
Happy travels… Dan n Deb
I have been following all the posts from Paperbark Retreat and cannot believe what an incredible tropical paradise Sue and Tony have created. I can’t wait to get up there and have a swim in that beautiful pool surrounded by those palms.
The meals served look absolutely delicious.
Hi Carmel,
Glad you are following us and cant wait to see you up here…. you will love it!
Hi Carmel cant wait for you to come and visit us…you will love it!
My stay at the paperbark retreat was nothing short of a taste of heaven here on earth.
The tropical paradise surround was the perfect backdrop to the serene atmosphere for some much needed R&R.
My room was immaculate and provided all I needed for my escape, and the hosts Sue and Tony went above and beyond to make my stay as comfortable as possible, from their delicious food and coffee to making me feel as though their beautiful home was my very own private paradise away from the stresses of the world.
Can’t wait to go back again.
5 gold stars all the way!
Hi Krystle, we loved having you both here … come visit us again soon x
Looks absolutely wonderful. Keep the blog going as I’d love to know more about Cooktown.
Hi Jane yes we love it up here will post more blogs soon. Come visit!
Having had a brief visit to Cooktown, we wanted to go back and explore some more. We found Paperbark retreat just searching the web and what a little gem it turned out to be.
The rooms are immaculate and very comfortable. There is a spacious common room where you can socialise or just watch TV. But the jewel in the crown is the wonderful breakfast served on the verandah overlooking the lovely gardens. Perfect way to ease into a days activities.
Our hostess Sue could not do enough for us and turned a very pleasant stay into something special.
Whole-heartedly recommend as THE place to stay in Cooktown.
Hi Mark and Edna,
It was a real pleasure having you stay. I even learnt a new game and made lovely friends. Hope to see you next year when the wind is good for kite surfing Mark.
Regards
Sue
We recently stayed at the Paperbark Retreat and we were so surprised to find such a hidden gem just a short drive out of Cooktown. The homestead is set in beautiful gardens with verandahs all around. Our room was very tastefully decorated and the option to sit out on the verandah amongst the birdlife and beautiful setting was a plus. Sue and Tony are excellent hosts and provided a very tasty breakfast each morning of our stay. The highlight of course is Sue’s muffins. We had dinner there one night which Sue cooked and Tony has a wealth of knowledge of the Cooktown area and places to see. We will definitely be back for another visit and would recommend the Paperbark Retreat for a great place to get away from it all.
Hi Esme,
Thank you for the lovely comments. It was a pleasure having you both here and look forward to seeing you again.
Regards
Sue and Tony