Cooktown Museum
Formerly known as James Cook Museum, Cooktown Museum has been beautifully reimagined to share the rich and diverse stories of the region. Step back in time to when Cooktown was a bustling gold-mining port, where 64 pubs lined the vibrant 3-km (1½-mile) main street. The museum offers a captivating glimpse into this colorful past, including treasured mementos from Captain Cook's voyage and significant Indigenous artifacts. Housed in the former Sisters of Mercy convent, the museum also showcases an array of relics from the Palmer gold rush and pastoral eras, including a Chinese joss house, traditional canoes, and an anchor, along with one of the six cannons jettisoned from the HMS Endeavour after it ran aground.
Visitors can browse the museum’s extensive selection of merchandise, including books, souvenirs, cold drinks, and snacks, making it an ideal stop for both learning and leisure. Plan to spend at least 1½ hours exploring the museum’s engaging exhibits.
It's recommended that you allow at least an hour to pore over the exhibits.
