Cooktown Tours
Looking for Cooktown tours from Cairns? Cairns Discovery Tours runs small-group 4WD adventures to one of Far North Queensland’s most historically significant destinations. Travel north via the legendary Bloomfield Track through the ancient Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation coast, or journey inland via the sealed Mulligan Highway through the Atherton Tablelands. Choose a 1-day Cooktown 4WD tour or an immersive 3-day small-group Cooktown tour with two nights in town.
Explore world-heritage rainforests, historic Cooktown and the Atherton Tablelands on this fully inclusive 3 day adventure.
Travel up the Kuranda Range with panoramic views across the rainforest and Coral Sea before heading off-road into World Heritage–listed rainforest to stand beneath the impressive Giant Strangler Fig.
Discover historic Cooktown, then journey south along the legendary Bloomfield Track through ancient rainforest landscapes to Cape Tribulation, where the reef meets the rainforest.
Soak in mountain-fringed beaches and spectacular coastal lookouts, and complete your day with a wildlife cruise on the Daintree River in search of estuarine crocodiles.
Photo Credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland
Adult $2125.00 Twin Share | Adult Single room $2370.00 | Aust Pensioner Twin share $2015.00 | Aust Pensioner Single room $2345.00 | Child $1755.00 Share with Adult
Sunday departures -selective dates 28th June – 18th October 2026
Experience the very best of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park, the excitement of the 4WD-only Bloomfield Track and the unspoilt beauty and incredible cultural heritage of historic Cooktown. Enjoy a small group for two nights in Cooktown, Daintree River Cruise, Lions Den historic pub, James Cook Museum, Cooktown Botanic Gardens and much more.
$1747.00 per person twin share | Child $1660.00 child 4-14yrs twin share | $2145.00 Solo Traveller
$395 per person -May – October 2026
Depart Cairns Mon, Wed & Friday – 6.30am
Port Douglas IGA Bus Stop 7.45am
Discover Cooktown on this exclusive one day tour for a 4WD adventure taking in some of Australia’s most amazing scenery and natural beauty. On your Cooktown Day Tour, you will travel in a purpose-built 4WD, air-conditioned coach, catering specifically to small groups with a limit of just 12 passengers. Cross the Daintree River, traverse the 4wd Bloomfield Track and return along the Mulligan Highway, the Outback of Far North Queensland
Cooktown sits at the mouth of the Endeavour River in Far North Queensland, where ancient rainforest, rugged headlands, and river country converge. It is one of Queensland’s most historically significant towns and one of the most rewarding destinations you can add to a Cairns itinerary, far beyond the typical reef and rainforest circuit.
Why Take a Cooktown Tour from Cairns?
In 1770, Lieutenant James Cook repaired the HMB Endeavour here after running aground on the Great Barrier Reef, making Cooktown the site of the first prolonged contact between Europeans and Aboriginal Australians. Today, visitors can take in sweeping views from Grassy Hill Lookout, stroll the heritage Botanic Gardens, visit the James Cook Museum, explore the Cooktown Cemetery and historic streetscapes, and relax on quiet tropical beaches. Aboriginal culture runs deep here, with rock art tours and Dreamtime stories shared by Traditional Owners that connect country and coastline in a way that is unique in Far North Queensland.
The Road to Cooktown is Part of the Adventure
Getting to Cooktown is an experience in itself. Our Cooktown tours from Cairns travel one of two iconic routes north.
The first is the legendary 4WD-only Bloomfield Track, which winds through the heart of the Daintree Rainforest and along the Cape Tribulation coast. This unsealed route involves creek crossings, steep rainforest-clad ranges, and dramatic coastal vistas, and requires a purpose-built 4WD vehicle throughout. It is one of the most scenic and adventurous drives in all of Australia.
The second option is the sealed Mulligan Highway, travelling inland through the Atherton Tablelands and past the striking boulders of Black Mountain National Park before descending into Cooktown. Many of our 3-day tours travel one route northbound and return via the other, giving guests the best of both worlds.
Cooktown Tour Options
Cairns Discovery Tours offers both a 1-day Cooktown tour and two 3-day Cooktown tour packages, all run as small-group experiences with a maximum of 10 to 12 passengers.
The 1 Day Cooktown 4WD Tour departs Cairns at 6.30am and returns at approximately 7.30pm. It travels the Bloomfield Track north through the Daintree and Cape Tribulation, crosses the Daintree River by ferry, and includes time in Cooktown to explore before returning via the Mulligan Highway. This tour runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from May to October 2026, with a maximum of 12 passengers.
The 3 Day Cooktown, Cape Tribulation and Atherton Tablelands Tour is a fully immersive small-group journey with two nights in Cooktown, giving guests time to explore cultural and historical sites in depth, including the Daintree, Cape Tribulation, and the Atherton Tablelands.
The 3 Day Cape Tribulation and Cooktown Wanderer is a small-group multi-day tour combining the Bloomfield Track, the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, and two nights in Cooktown, including a 1-hour Daintree River wildlife cruise.
What to Expect on a Cooktown Tour
All Cooktown tours from Cairns are run in purpose-built 4WD vehicles suited to the conditions of the Bloomfield Track. Group sizes are kept small to ensure a personalised experience. Highlights across the different tours include the James Cook Museum, Grassy Hill Lookout, the Cooktown Botanic Gardens, the iconic Lion’s Den Hotel, Aboriginal rock art tours with Traditional Owners, Daintree River cruises, Cape Tribulation Beach, and the heritage streetscapes and galleries of Cooktown itself.
Whether you are after a big day out or an unhurried multi-day adventure, a Cooktown tour from Cairns with Cairns Discovery Tours is one of the most memorable experiences available in Far North Queensland.
Have questions? Call (07) 4028 3567 or browse our full range of Cairns tours.
Here’s why thousands of customers loveCairns Discovery Tours.
🗓️ Flexible Cancellations
Enjoy peace of mind with our flexible booking policy. Most Cairns Discovery Tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure with a full refund. We make exploring Cairns stress-free, so you can book with confidence.
💳 Book Now, Pay Later
Secure your place on our popular Cairns day tours with Klarna’s Book Now, Pay Later option. Lock in your adventure today and pay in easy installments — perfect for planning your Cairns holiday without upfront costs.
🌴 Local Since 1995
For over 28 years, Cairns Discovery Tours has been proudly locally owned and operated. Established in 1995, we’ve shared the tropical beauty of Cairns with thousands of travellers, offering authentic, community-connected tour experiences.
👩🏫 Expert Local Guides
Our passionate Cairns tour guides are storytellers, historians, and nature enthusiasts. With deep local knowledge, they bring the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Cairns’ tropical heritage to life, ensuring an unforgettable and educational experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cooktown worth visiting on a trip to Cairns?
Absolutely Cooktown is one of Queensland’s most historically significant towns and a genuinely off-the-beaten-track experience. Set on the Endeavour River where Lieutenant James Cook repaired his ship in 1770, the town offers a fascinating mix of colonial history, Aboriginal culture, stunning scenery, and genuine Far North Queensland character. Getting there is part of the adventure whether via the sealed Mulligan Highway or the legendary 4WD Bloomfield Track.
What's the difference between a 1-day and a 3-day Cooktown tour from Cairns?
A 1-day tour is a fast-paced 4WD adventure (departing 6.30am and returning 7.30pm) that traverses the Bloomfield Track through the Daintree, crosses the Daintree River, and gives you time to explore Cooktown before returning via the Mulligan Highway a full and rewarding day for those with limited time. The 3-day tours are small-group immersive journeys that allow you to spend nights in Cooktown, explore at a relaxed pace, visit key cultural and historical sites in depth, and include the Daintree, Cape Tribulation, and Atherton Tablelands along the way.
What is the Bloomfield Track and why do some Cooktown tours use a 4WD?
The Bloomfield Track is a legendary unsealed 4WD-only road that runs through the Daintree and Cape Tribulation region, connecting Cairns to Cooktown via the rainforest coast. It involves creek crossings, steep rainforest-clad ranges, and coastal views making the drive itself an adventure. Purpose-built 4WD vehicles are required on this route, and tours using the Bloomfield Track are limited to small groups to ensure a personalised experience.
What historical and cultural experiences can you have in Cooktown?
Cooktown is rich in history and culture. Key highlights include the James Cook Museum (housed in a heritage convent), the Cooktown Botanic Gardens, Grassy Hill Lookout with panoramic views over the Endeavour River, the iconic Lion’s Den Hotel (one of Australia’s oldest bush pubs), heritage streetscapes and galleries, and Aboriginal rock art tours and Dreamtime stories shared by Traditional Owners. The town’s deep Indigenous heritage runs alongside its colonial history in a way that is unique in Far North Queensland.
Can you visit the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation on the way to Cooktown?
Yes, tours travelling via the Bloomfield Track pass through the heart of the Daintree Rainforest and along the Cape Tribulation coast, making it possible to experience World Heritage rainforest, beach stops, and creek crossings all in the same journey. The 3-day tours provide more time to explore Cape Tribulation Beach and Thornton Beach, while the 1-day tour passes through as part of the route north.
Are Cooktown tours suitable for first-time visitors to Far North Queensland?
Yes, Cooktown tours are suitable for most visitors, though they do involve a long day (particularly the 1-day 4WD option) or multiple days away from Cairns. The 4WD journey on the Bloomfield Track is an adventure in itself, and small group sizes keep the experience personal and manageable. If you are interested in history, culture, and landscape beyond the typical reef and rainforest circuit, Cooktown is an outstanding addition to any Far North Queensland itinerary.