James Cook Historical Museum

The James Cook Historical Museum is a museum in Cooktown housed in a Victorian Gothic building with distinctive architectural features. The structure displays high ceilings, broad verandahs, and ornamental cast iron details across its L-shaped layout on Furneaux Street.

The building was constructed between 1888 and 1889 as St Mary's Convent and served as a school until 1940. It then operated as a military facility during World War II before eventually becoming a museum.

The exhibits show how Cook's crew encountered the Guugu Yimithirr people, with objects and stories that reveal these early interactions. The displays also document the experiences of Chinese immigrants who arrived during the region's gold rush period.

The location is within walking distance of central Cooktown and sits on a heritage trail with other historic sites nearby. Plan your visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the interior spaces, which rely on natural light from the high windows.

The Joseph Banks Memorial Garden features plant species that were first recorded during the 1770 expedition along the Endeavour River by Banks and Solander. This garden creates a living link to that historic voyage at the actual location where these discoveries took place.