ABOUT COOKTOWN A visit to Cooktown is a must while in North Queensland, the diversity in history and activities ensures there is an adventure for every visitor. When Lieutenant James Cook arrived on the banks of the Endeavour River in 1770 he described the area as 'the first sustainable paradise' he had found during his travels. He wrote: 'when the local inhabitants are hungry they pick up food from the forest, when they are thirsty they go to the river and drink'. He said 'these people want for nothing and have no need of anything we have to give'. Cooktown became the first white settlement in Australia and was destined to grow into the second largest town in Queensland - aided of course by the famous Palmer River Gold Rush. The second biggest gold rush in the history of Australia gripped Cooktown in 1873 as 35,000 dreamers converged upon the once pristine and untouched paradise. Cooktown exploded out of the wastelands only to disappear, with the gold, just as quickly. Today Cooktown is on the move once more - tourism is the latest gold rush. The dreamers are once more returning to the banks of the Endeavour. The population of Cooktown is once again rapidly increasing, not with gold miners or explorers, but with people who have recognized the natural beauty of the Queen of the North.
FROM THE AIR Your aircraft for the Cooktown Day Tour is carefully selected to maximize both passenger comfort and viewing. Large windows allow you to photograph all the local sites as we soar over Port Douglas, the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, the Bloomfield River, Cedar Bay National Park, Mount Cook, the Black Mountains, the Endeavour River and the Great Barrier Reef - including the famous Endeavour Reef.
THE COOKTOWN TOUR Fly low level for approximately 200 kilometers over the oldest Rainforest in the World - The Daintree - on the way to Cooktown. Then spend four hours exploring the historic Cooktown by 4WD, your local guide will show you all the highlights including Grassy Hill, Nature's Power House, the James Cook Museum and the famous Charlotte Street. Lunch is served over looking the majestic Endeavor River before the return Scenic Flight to Cairns over the Great Barrier Reef.
INCLUDED: All airfares, hotel/airport transfers, local guide, National Park permits and insurances, lunch, 4WD tour and all museum entry fees/payments.
BRING ALONG: Hat, sun protection, bottle of water, camera and walking shoes.
