Cooktown is a small town in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is situated on the coast of the Endeavour River, approximately 650km north of Cairns and 450km south of Thursday Island. The town is the administrative centre of the Cook Shire and has a population of around 2,000 people.
Cooktown is the site of the first recorded European contact with Australia, when in 1770, Captain James Cook beached his ship, the Endeavour, on the banks of the Endeavour River. The town was officially founded in 1873, when gold was discovered in the area.
Cooktown is a popular tourist destination due to its rich history and natural beauty. It is surrounded by tropical rainforest, with the Black Mountain National Park to the west and the Great Barrier Reef to the east. The town is also home to a number of historical sites, including the James Cook Museum, the James Cook Monument, and the Grassy Hill Lookout.
Cooktown is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and bushwalking. There are also a number of attractions in the town, including the Cooktown Botanic Gardens, the Cooktown Art Gallery, and the Cooktown Historic Museum.
The town is also home to a number of festivals and events throughout the year, including the Cooktown and Cape York Expo, the Cooktown Music Festival, and the Endeavour Festival.
Cooktown is an important part of Australia’s history and is an ideal destination for those looking to explore the natural beauty of Far North Queensland.
Experience Cooktown with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Cooktown. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
Cooktown in Australia experiences a tropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. Summer temperatures reach an average of 28°C (82°F) with high humidity and occasional monsoonal rains. Winter temperatures are milder and average around 18°C (64°F), with low humidity and some light rain. Spring and autumn bring warm temperatures and moderate humidity, with occasional showers. The wet season lasts from December to March, with an average rainfall of over 1,000mm (40 inches). The dry season runs from April to November, with an average rainfall of about 600mm (24 inches).
Our weather forecast for Cooktown helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Feb. 7th 2025 Feb. 7th 2025 | max: 31.4 °C min: 24.1 °C |
9.4 m/s 23.8 m/s |
93.2 % 18.2 m |
86.9 % 1,004 hPa |
06:12:10 18:54:01 |
|
Feb. 8th 2025 Feb. 8th 2025 | max: 28.3 °C min: 24.2 °C |
14.0 m/s 39.2 m/s |
97.9 % 18.1 m |
91.7 % 1,003 hPa |
06:12:35 18:53:41 |
|
Feb. 9th 2025 Feb. 9th 2025 | max: 28.7 °C min: 23.8 °C |
16.2 m/s 45.7 m/s |
93.8 % 20.9 m |
91.6 % 1,003 hPa |
06:13:01 18:53:20 |
|
Feb. 10th 2025 Feb. 10th 2025 | max: 29.3 °C min: 23.7 °C |
11.5 m/s 40.7 m/s |
97.5 % 15.4 m |
92.3 % 1,004 hPa |
06:13:25 18:52:58 |
|
Feb. 11th 2025 Feb. 11th 2025 | max: 28.3 °C min: 24.4 °C |
12.2 m/s 38.9 m/s |
93.0 % 14.6 m |
91.6 % 1,005 hPa |
06:13:49 18:52:34 |
|
Feb. 12th 2025 Feb. 12th 2025 | max: 29.8 °C min: 23.8 °C |
6.1 m/s 12.2 m/s |
99.5 % 11.9 m |
88.9 % 1,006 hPa |
06:14:12 18:52:10 |
|
Feb. 13th 2025 Feb. 13th 2025 | max: 29.1 °C min: 23.3 °C |
7.6 m/s 7.9 m/s |
91.7 % 16.0 m |
87.9 % 1,006 hPa |
06:14:35 18:51:45 |
|
Feb. 14th 2025 Feb. 14th 2025 | max: 30.5 °C min: 24.4 °C |
10.4 m/s 9.0 m/s |
59.9 % 23.8 m |
85.4 % 1,005 hPa |
06:14:57 18:51:19 |
|
Feb. 15th 2025 Feb. 15th 2025 | max: 32.1 °C min: 23.4 °C |
11.9 m/s 19.1 m/s |
21.3 % 24.1 m |
79.8 % 1,005 hPa |
06:15:19 18:50:52 |
|
Feb. 16th 2025 Feb. 16th 2025 | max: 30.2 °C min: 24.9 °C |
17.6 m/s 32.4 m/s |
64.0 % 24.1 m |
79.5 % 1,006 hPa |
06:15:40 18:50:24 |
|
Feb. 17th 2025 Feb. 17th 2025 | max: 30.5 °C min: 24.4 °C |
15.5 m/s 27.4 m/s |
53.0 % 21.8 m |
80.6 % 1,006 hPa |
06:16:00 18:49:56 |
|
Feb. 18th 2025 Feb. 18th 2025 | max: 29.7 °C min: 24.2 °C |
13.0 m/s 16.2 m/s |
79.5 % 24.0 m |
81.3 % 1,006 hPa |
06:16:20 18:49:26 |
|
Feb. 19th 2025 Feb. 19th 2025 | max: 30.3 °C min: 25 °C |
14.0 m/s 27.4 m/s |
74.9 % 24.1 m |
80.3 % 1,007 hPa |
06:16:40 18:48:56 |
|
Feb. 20th 2025 Feb. 20th 2025 | max: 29.8 °C min: 24.8 °C |
19.1 m/s 31.9 m/s |
72.8 % 24.1 m |
75.6 % 1,007 hPa |
06:16:58 18:48:24 |
Would you like to travel to Cooktown on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Cooktown.
Date | Ship | Arrival | Departure | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mar. 10th 2025 Monday, 10th of Mar. 2025 | Norwegian Sun | 07:00 am | 04:00 pm | |
Apr. 3rd 2025 Thursday, 3rd of Apr. 2025 | Seven Seas Mariner | 07:00 am | 04:00 pm | |
Apr. 4th 2025 Friday, 4th of Apr. 2025 | Seven Seas Mariner | 07:00 am | 04:00 pm | |
Apr. 19th 2025 Saturday, 19th of Apr. 2025 | Norwegian Sun | 09:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
Sep. 30th 2025 Tuesday, 30th of Sep. 2025 | Silver Nova | 08:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
Oct. 22nd 2025 Wednesday, 22nd of Oct. 2025 | Scenic Eclipse II | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Oct. 31st 2025 Friday, 31st of Oct. 2025 | Silver Nova | 08:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
Dec. 12th 2025 Friday, 12th of Dec. 2025 | Silver Nova | 09:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
Jan. 3rd 2026 Saturday, 3rd of Jan. 2026 | MS Regatta | 07:00 am | 03:00 pm | |
Jan. 16th 2026 Friday, 16th of Jan. 2026 | Seven Seas Navigator | 12:00 pm | 09:00 pm | |
Feb. 14th 2026 Saturday, 14th of Feb. 2026 | MS Riviera | 07:00 am | 04:00 pm | |
Mar. 25th 2027 Thursday, 25th of Mar. 2027 | Seven Seas Splendor | 07:00 am | 04:00 pm |
Photos by cruise fans for cruise fans!
Share your best pictures with the community and discover authentic images from travellers who have already been there.
- There are no photos available for Cooktown yet.
Share your holiday photos with the community and inspire others to their next adventure!
There are a few basic rules to follow
.Port | Distance |
---|---|
Ribbon Reef in Australia | 89,50 km |
Lizard Island in Australia | 91,95 km |
Port Douglas in Australia | 114,46 km |
Michaelmas and Upolu Cays National Park in Australia | 152,07 km |
Cairns in Australia | 156,92 km |
Creech Reef in Australia | 239,49 km |