Cooktown 1.

In 1770 Captain James Cook and his ship the “Endeavour” ran afoul of the Great Barrier Reef & seriously damaged the hull.  To avoid sinking, over 50 tonnes of stores had to be off-loaded in order to free the “Endeavour” from the reef.  Cook needed to find safe waters quickly, so he sailed his damaged 368 tonne vessel into the closest river he could find.  Cook’s 48 day stay was to be the longest of his entire voyage.  Cook named the river the “Endeavour” and this was the only river in Australia that Cook would name. 

Cooktown is a beautiful, unspoilt, small historic coastal town, beside the Great Barrier Reef.

We did the town sightseeing, visited the local market full of excellent fruit & veg, went to the Grassy lookout & lighthouse, with stunning views.  Played on a musical ship, had fish & chips on the Wharf and watched the locals catching Mackerel.

 

A Life Saving Bush Turkey.

 

A view from the Look out.

 

Cooktown.

 

Steve above Cooktown.

 

Us above The Endeavour River.

 

Us above Cooktown & the Endeavour River.

 

Cooktown just totally stunning!!

 

The Lighthouse made in England & shipped to Cooktown in 1885.

 

 

Finch Bay The hill overlooking Finch Bay is where Cook plotted his course through the Reef. (Sorry not my best photo).

 

Steve & a massive Paper Bark Tree.

 

Steve swinging in the Jungle.

 

A musical ship which is interactive for Adults & children.

This ship is made from poly pipe !

 

I'm the child!!

 

Me at the James Cook Monument.

 

Steve at the James Cook Statue.

 

The Cairn - where Lt. James Cook beached HM Bark Endeavour in 1770.

 

Mick the Miner - in memory of the Palmer River Gold Rush (1873).

 

Gunpowder Magazine - built in 1874 & believed to be the oldest brick building in Cape York.

 

The main street "Charlotte Street".