Cooktown

Packing up the Patrol

We had our first night in the tent last night. It was very windy overnight with some showers but the tent stayed erected so that was good. Peter is taking a bit to adjust to the stretcher and the sleeping bag after the comforts of the caravan. During the night I got up to go over to the toilet and in the light of my torch saw two kangaroos just a few feet from the tent. They were not bothered by me but I certainly got a surprise to see them.

Cooktown lighthouse in the rain

We have had showers off and on all day today which has been disappointing. We had a look at the main business area of Cooktown which is very small but includes about five pubs. Even early in the morning there were locals standing about quite intoxicated. No wonder the reports say that alcoholism is a major concern in the area. We went to the information centre to collect our census packs ready for the 9th August as we may well be bush camping that night. The information centre is in the botanical gardens which are quite nice. Rain stopped us wandering too far. We went and saw the lighthouse at the top of grassy hill. This lighthouse was brought out to Cooktown from the UK. Again rain stopped us from hanging around the lookout.

Cooktown from the lookout (raining)

There is a sleepy wharf area and the only activity was a local trawler selling prawns and he seemed to have a steady flow of customers. The memorial to James Cook's arrival in the Endeavour is also near here.

This afternoon we went to the James Cook Museum which is housed in an original Sisters of the Mission Convent. The building was in a derelict condition before being renovated and reopened by Queen Elizabeth as a museum. It is well worth a visit and we spent a couple of hours there.

Cooktown waterways in the rain

Tomorrow we pack up and head north. We hope the rain is behind us and that the tent dries out somewhat overnight. We may be visiting some quite remote areas over the next couple of weeks so not sure that the blog will be updated or there will be any email or telephone contact. I will try and update as I am able.

Memorial to Captain Cook

Kangaroo in the camping ground at Cooktown

Cooktown Museum

 Anchor and canon from Endeavour

100 years ago they had these pills!

Aboriginal paintings on tiles Cooktown

Cooktown Aboriginal painting on tiles

Cooktown harbour

 Our site in Cooktown

 Cooktown Post Office

 Main Street Cooktown

Cooktown Hotel