Cooktown foreshore and museums

The foreshore at Cooktown has a variety of attractions to suit most people - the wharf and fishing spaces, cafe/hotel, lawned park with a musical boat, historic statues and information.

The Endeavour River estuary is very picturesque and the water looks inviting but with the ever-present warnings of crocodiles, no-one was swimming in this part of the river.

Musical boat with performances by Lorraine and John

The Cooktown Police Station overlooks the estuary and a park that has a musical boat - an attraction for big kids and little kids. It's a really interactive piece and would be something for the Port Adelaide Enfield Council to consider (an email will be going to them soon).

A life-size statue of Captain James Cook is situated not far from the wharf. The James Cook Museum (located in a former convent) is very informative and presents both indigenous and white history about the invasion and settlement of this area.

Once again, the arrogance and ignorance of the British is evident as the area changed over time and drove the indigenous population from their traditional hunting spaces. There are 2 museums and both acknowledge the original owners of this land and have clearly made significant steps to value the history and culture of the Aboriginal people.

James Cook Museum houses the original anchor and a cannon from the Endeavour with the discovery well-documented. Excerpts from Cook, Banks and others on board the Endeavour provide an insight into their impressions of this area.

Endeavour River in afternoon

from lookout about Cooktown

Sign says it all! Of course, Robert and John had to follow the path to the sea!

beach where recent sighting of crocodile was reported