Cooktown

Finch Bay Cooktown.................

Mount Cook from Finch Bay

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Monday 22nd August 2011: We have thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Cooktown a quaint Historic town situated on the east coast of Cape York approximately 300klms north of Cairns. In the year 1770, James Cook discovered a safe river to seek shelter and repair the damage done to his ship, the Endeavour, after running aground on the Great Barrier Reef.

In 1872 gold was discovered on the Palmer River and Cook's landing site was populated with eager diggers.

The James Cook Museum is a must to visit. The museum is now located in the restored Boarding School/Convent which was run by the Sisters of Mercy from Ireland.

Chris and I have thoroughly enjoyed our five day stay. Yesterday, 21st August, we celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary........yes 40 years! I am thankful to have shared 40 years with my best friend and husband. We have been blessed with three children and to date two granddaughters. We celebrated with a delicious dinner at the Soverign Resort Restaurant and Bar.

Tomorrow 23rd August, we make our way back to Atherton by Wednesday where we will leave our motorhome with cousin Merv and Sue and travel on Thursday by bus to Cairns where we spend the night before flying early Friday morning the 26th August to Horn Island and commence a 'Wilderness Challenge' Safari exploring the 'Tip of Australia' Cape York and then 4WD travelling back to Cairns over 7 days, stay the night of 1st September in Cairns, then back to Atherton for a few days before we start our south journey down the Queensland Coast.

I will be back blogging around 5th September with stories of our travels to the further most tip of Australia.

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From The Fisherman's Wharf precinct along the River of Life Walkway.............

The River of Life Walkway starts at Fisherman's Wharf and meanders through parklands to the Post Office - telling the stories behind the historic sights you pass along the way

Mrs Watson's monument erected 1883 in memory of a tragic death near Lizard Island.
Monument - Frontier Women - Mary Watson

With her husband away beche-de-mer fishing, Mary Watson was left on Lizard Island with her infant son and two Chinese Servants. Unknowingly they had built on a sacred site, 'Tabul', and as a result were attached by mainland aborigines. Ah Leong lost his life - Mary, her son and Ah Sam escaped in an iron tank, only to die later of thirst. Their bodies were recovered in January 1882 and interred in the Cooktown Cemetery.

On April 10th 1885 the Cooktown Council carried the following motion -

"A wire be sent to the Premier in Brisbane requesting him to supply arms, ammunition and a competent officer to take charge of same, as the town is entirely unprotected against the threat of a Russian invasion".......

This gun (cast in 1806 in Carron Scotland) 3 cannonballs, 2 rifles and 1 officer were sent.

Musical Boat - for all to enjoy

Double click on slide to view details on Musical Boat
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The James Cook Museum.....................

Beautifully restored Boarding School/Convent which was run by The Sisters of Mercy from Ireland - The building today is The James Cook Museum

View across the Cooktown Bay from the upper verandah of the James Cook Museum

This painting on canvas is a reproduction of a panel of rock art in the Laura Sandstones. This is one of several panels at 'The Quinkans', a group of sandstone shelters which have been used by the Aboriginal people of the region for many thousands of years.

'Endeavour Tree'
This tree was used by Captain James Cook, June 1770, to moor The Endeavour while under repair in Cooktown Harbour.

The chapel from the Boarding School/Convent

On the wall in the chapel a picture of Mother Catherine McAuley

founder of the Sisters of Mercy

The Sovereign Resort Hotel Cooktown

View across the Harbour from the Gunpowder Magazine point

Gunpowder Magazine -

built in 1874 and believed to be the oldest brick building in Cape York

The Old Hospital - today after restoration Kingdom Hall
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Queens Park Botanic Gardens Cooktown...........................

Saba-Nut Money Tree

Cooktown Fan Palm