The Museum gives a fascinating insight into the seven weeks James Cook and his crew spent at the site of modern Cooktown repairing their ship after their catastrophic grounding on nearby Endeavour Reef.

The highlight of the museum is the Endeavour Gallery with the original anchor and cannon from the Endeavour, jettisoned from the ship in 1770. The gallery not only explores the fight for survival Cook and his men faced on the reef, but also documents the many discoveries made by the scientific team during their stay at the Endeavour River.

The Museum also explores the interaction between Cook and the local Guugu Yimithiir people – the most extensive he experienced in Australia – and this story is told from both perspectives.

The Museum is surrounded by the Sir Joseph Banks Garden, in which can be found some of the 170 species Banks identified and named in the region in 1770.

Admission fees apply.

Opening hours:

Mon – Fri: 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Sat – Sun: 9.00 am – 12:30 pm; 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Closure may occur during the wet season (please contact the Museum if visiting between October and March to avoid disappointment).