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Cruise ships are not able to dock here, you will be tendered ashore.
Printable map to take along on your cruise.
Cruise calendar for this port.
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Cooktown is named after Captain James Cook, who landed here in 1770 when his ship, the Endeavour, needed repair. (Today a statue of Cook stands in the harbor near the spot where his ship landed.) It wasn't until the end of the 19th century that the town was established after gold was discovered nearby. The town quickly grew to become one of Queensland's largest settlements, but as mining flourished, so did crime.
Miners from China raced to the area in search of fortune, but they faced great prejudice, resulting in violent riots. Problems also arose between the gold miners and the Aborigines, who attempted to halt what they believed was the destruction of their land and the natural resources of Queensland. During the mining days, Cooktown was said to have dozens of pubs and brothels, and the streets were unsafe. Today this town is a peaceful place and offers visitors a chance to visit Cook's Lookout or explore the past in the Museum or the bush, where the Aborigines once lived.
Australian Dollar
Shops and services are generally open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and until lunchtime on Saturday. In cities and larger towns, many shops stay open late on Thursday or Friday evening - usually until 9pm - and all day on Saturday. Shopping malls are often open on Sundays as well.
In remote country areas, roadhouses provide all the essential services for the traveller and, on the major highways, are generally open 24 hours a day. In tourist areas, even ones well off the beaten track, tourist offices are often open every day or at least through the week plus weekend mornings; urban information centers are more likely to conform to normal shopping hours.
Tourist attractions such as museums, galleries and attended historic monuments, are often open daily, though those in rural communities may have erratic opening hours.
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