Cooktown Discovery Fly and Drive

Your Cooktown Discovery journey takes you along the scenic Great Barrier Reef Drive from Cairns. The only place in the world where two World Heritage locations meet! You’ll travel between the two – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Your experienced guide will teach you all about the natural environment and history of this incredible region.

This tour currently has limited availability on specific days and only operates from May to November. Please contact our friendly Reservations team to book this tour

Firstly, enjoy amazing scenic views of the World Heritage Rainforest and Coral Sea on a 45-minute flight from Cairns to Cooktown.

Discover the history of Cooktown

When you arrive in Cooktown, the driver-guide will pick you up and take you for a guided walking tour to Grassy Hill Lookout,  which offers 360-degree views of Cooktown and the surrounding area.

Head back to Cooktown to visit its heritage-listed cemetery; this bears testament to the diverse nationalities who came to Cooktown and the Palmer Goldfields in late 19th century. Enjoy a guided tour at James Cook Museum with many interesting exhibits, including an original cannon and anchor from the HMB Endeavour.

Next, you will visit the Cooktown Botanic Gardens and enjoy a driver-guided walk. Afterwards, you will enjoy lunch at Nature’s Powerhouse Cafe, and wander through the art gallery and information centre.

Finally, travel back to Cairns via the outback landscape of the Mulligan Highway. Stop at Black Mountain, which is a significant place to the local Aboriginal people, as well as Byerstone Range Lookout and the Palmer River Roadhouse.  Enjoy sweeping views across the stark outback landscape.

To experience Cooktown in 2 days – click HERE.

Highlights

  • First, enjoy a scenic flight from Cairns to Cooktown
  • Next,visit Cooktown on a Guided tour
  • Air-conditioned coach trip back to Cairns


Itinerary

Discover the history of Cooktown

To start off the day, head to Hinterland Aviation; check in at 6 am, ready to board your scenic flight to Cooktown.

First, enjoy amazing scenic views of the World Heritage Rainforest and the Coral Sea on this 45-minute flight from Cairns to Cooktown. When you arrive in Cooktown, our driver-guide will pick you up and make your way to Grassy Hill Lookout, which offers 360-degree views of Cooktown and the surrounding area. Learn about the history of Cooktown from our experienced driver-guide as you then take a guided walk of the Esplanade and its many monuments before some free time.

Meet back with your guide for a visit to Cooktown’s heritage-listed cemetery; this bears testament to the diverse nationalities who came to Cooktown and the Palmer Goldfields in the late 19th century. Enjoy a guided tour at James Cook Museum with many interesting exhibits, including an original cannon and anchor from the HMB Endeavour.

Next, visit the Cooktown Botanic Gardens and enjoy a driver-guided walk, viewing many of the same plants collected by botanists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, as well as those traditionally used by Aboriginal people. Enjoy lunch at Nature’s Powerhouse Cafe, and wander through the art gallery and information centre.

Finally, travel back to Cairns via the outback landscape of the Mulligan Highway. Stop at Black Mountain, which is a significant place for the local Aboriginal people, as well as Byerstone Range Lookout and the Palmer River Roadhouse.  Enjoy sweeping views across the stark outback landscape.


Included

What’s included?

  • Scenic morning flight from Cairns to Cooktown
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Experienced driver-guide
  • Grassy Hill Lookout
  • Guided foreshore walk
  • Heritage Listed Cooktown Cemetery
  • Guided tour of James Cook Museum
  • Cooktown Botanic Gardens
  • Lunch at Nature’s Powerhouse
  • Black Mountain
  • Outback drive to Cairns


Optional Extras

Option for coach drop off to Port Douglas, Northern Beaches & Cairns Accommodation or return to Hinterland Aviation Car Park.


What to bring

  • Hat & Sunscreen
  • Bottle of Water
  • Camera


How to get there

All passengers make their own way to Hinterland Aviation, 7 Tom McDonald Drive Cairns to check-in for your flight

Check-in Cairns General Aviation: 6:00 am
Coach returns to Cairns around 7:15 pm


Important Information

A general level of mobility & fitness is required to join this tour.

The 4WD Coach used for our Cooktown Tour has several steps on entry, and passengers must board and disembark from the vehicle several times throughout the day.

Walks included are all considered easy and are less than 1klm in length. The terrain throughout this tour features uneven surfaces and steep hills and is not suitable for mobility-impaired guests.

Note: Tour is subject to weather conditions. All bookings are subject to flight availability. 

Tour is operated by our partners at Adventure North Australia.

Rates are GST inclusive, and prices shown are 1AD and in Australia Dollars (AUD)
Child Rate 4-14yrs inc. We do not recommend this tour for children under 7 years due to the length of the day.


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