COOKTOWN
Cooktown is where Captain Cook came ashore when one of his ships ran aground and was damaged on part of the Great Barrier Reef. The event is well documented in the statues and other memorials around the town. It is a pleasant town with a mix of influences from the sea, a gold rush and more. It has a feel somewhere between rural and bush.
Captain Cook in the waterfront park on the Endeavour River
The kangaroo monument.
BOTANICAL GARDENS
Guess what was a first priority for our exploration of the town.
Perhaps informative or interesting would be more appropriate than pretty or lush, but the "Gardens" were certainly worth the morning that we spent in them.
A special section, "The Solander Garden" is devoted to presenting plants identified by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander. Plants in the collection are specially badged.
Other sections include cycads, bamboos, tropical rainforest, open woodlands, a cut flower garden and more. A good map of the gardens helped us stay aware of where we were.
The Cut Flower Garden used to provide a source of income for the gardens.
Vanilla Bean
Dragonfruit
Bamboo Orchid
Tropical hardwood timber is used extensively in the Gardens and in other buildings in the town.
In the Gardens, seats are made from wood appropriate to the tree near which they are located.
Moreton Bay Ash seat and tree.
A snake carved from local wood.
THE NATIONAL TRUST "JAMES COOK" MUSEUM
Located in the former Sisters of Mercy Convent, this museum addresses not only Cook but other aspects of the history of the area. It is welcoming, peaceful and informative.
Stairway to the convent girls' bedroom. Thet couldn't use the main stairs because they were in the Sisters' section of the building.
Indigenous and Chinese influences and issues (including missions and massacres) are treated with candour.
"The Quinkins" come from this area.
Chinese came with a gold rush inland from Cooktown.
THE LOOKOUT, SEACOAST AND WATERFRONT
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