Cooktown Museums in Port Douglas

Cooktown is the gateway to the wilderness. Founded in 1873 as the port for the Palmer River Goldfields, Cooktown was more than a century after Captain James Cook spent 48 days in 1770 on the banks of the Endeavour River repairing his ship. A highlight of a visit to Cooktown is an extended tour of the Cooktown Museums in Port Douglas . James Cook Museum was built in 1888 as a convent school run by Irish nuns. Cooktown Museum in Port Douglas is a privately owned museum on the corner of Walker and Helen Streets.

Features of Cooktown Museums in Port Douglas

Opening times of James Cook Museum in Port Douglas: Daily 9:30am - 4:00pm (Off season closure may occur in part of February and March). Closed Christmas Day & Good Friday.

The James Cook Museum in Port Douglas is located in the former convent of St Mary, erected 1887-1889. It is run by the National Trust of Queensland. The existence of this large masonry building is indicative of Cooktown's importance during the Palmer gold mining boom. The features of the James Cook Museum in Port Douglas include:

• The collection includes an Endeavour cannon, one of six jettisoned by James Cook when his barque, Endeavour, ran aground on the Endeavour Reef south of Cooktown in 1770.

• Special features include the original Endeavour anchor also recovered from the reef, items pertaining to Cooktown history and the beautiful convent chapel.

• The museum houses rare historical pieces associated with the discovery of the area by Captain Cook, including Cook's cannon and anchor, and relics of the Palmer River gold rush and early Cooktown.

• Walking tracks in the area allow for visitors to explore areas of beach, bush and mountains. Closer to town is Grassy Hill where one can share the same view as Captain Cook.

• The museum documents Cook's voyages, Aboriginal and natural history, the gold rush days and their Chinese legacy.

• It is run by Irish nuns and helps celebrate Cooktown's status as Australia's first, if brief, European settlement.

A visit to the museum also provides an insight into the area's Aboriginal and natural history, the gold rush days and their Chinese legacy.

Hotels in Port Douglas
Hotel Mantra Heritage	Hibiscus Gardens Spa Resort
Hotel Regal	Freestyle Resort
Rydges Sabaya Resort	Hotel Beaches