Cooktown Tours
Looking for Cooktown tours from Cairns? Cairns Discovery Tours offers small-group 4WD adventures to one of Far North Queensland’s most historically significant destinations — with the expertise of a local who has been making this journey for over 35 years. Travel north along the legendary Bloomfield Track through the ancient Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation coast, return journey inland via the sealed Mulligan Highway through the Outback. Choose a One Day Cooktown 4WD Tour for a packed day of highlights, or settle in with an immersive three day small-group guided.
$399 per person -May – October 2026
Depart Cairns Mon, Wed & Friday – 6.30am
Port Douglas IGA Bus Stop 7.45am
Please note this is the only one day Cooktown Tour and books out – Book early to avoid disappointment
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
$399.00 From Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas
Explore Cooktown, Daintree Rainforest and the Outback of Far North Queensland on this fully inclusive 3 day Adventure. Small group of 2-11 passengers in air-conditioned comfort.
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
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 two iconic routes.
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, through the Outback of Far North Queensland. Cattle country, striking boulders of Black Mountain National Park before descending into Cooktown. The 3 day tours travel one route northbound and return via the other, giving guests the best of both worlds.
Cooktown Tour options
Choose a 1-day Cooktown tour or 3-day Cooktown tour packages, all run as small-group experiences
The 1 Day Cooktown 4WD Tour from Cairns and Port Douglas. It travels the Bloomfield Track north through the Daintree and Cape Tribulation, crosses the Daintree River by ferry, and includes time in Cooktown before returning via the Mulligan Highway. This tour runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from May to October 2026, with a maximum of 16 passengers.
The 3 Day Cooktown, Cape Tribulation 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.
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, Daintree River cruises, Cape Tribulation Beach, and the heritage streetscapes and galleries of Cooktown itself.
Choose a one-day Cooktown 4WD tour for an action-packed introduction, or take the three-day small-group Cooktown tour for two nights in town, time to explore at a slower pace, and the chance to experience Cooktown after the day-trippers have gone.
Have questions? Call (07) 4028 3567 for further information.
Here’s why thousands of customers trustCairns Discovery Tours.
🗓️ Flexible Cancellations
Enjoy peace of mind with our flexible booking policy. Most Cairns Tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure with a full refund. (Helicopter tours are 48 hours) We make exploring Cairns stress free, so you can book with confidence.
💳 Book Now, Pay Later
Reserve your place on our popular Cairns day tours with Klarna’s Book Now, Pay Later option, or just give us a call or send us an email to secure your booking. We will be in touch to arrange payment 7 days before your departure. Perfect for planning your Cairns holiday without upfront costs.
🌴 Local Since 1995
For over 30 years, Cairns Discovery Tours has been proudly locally owned and operated. Established in 1995, we’ve shared the tropical beauty of Far North Queensland travellers from around the world. Based in Cairns, we offer authentic tour experiences backed by genuine local knowledge and long standing connections to the region.
👩🏫 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 offers something most Cairns visitors never see: genuine remote Far North Queensland, deep history, Aboriginal culture, and landscapes that shift dramatically from rainforest to river country to rugged headlands. It is well off the typical reef-and-rainforest circuit and rewards travellers who want more than the highlights.
How do you get to Cooktown from Cairns on a tour?
There are two routes. The Bloomfield Track route heads north through the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, then continues on unsealed 4WD terrain through the Daintree lowlands to Cooktown — one of the most scenic and remote drives in Australia. The Mulligan Highway route travels inland via Mareeba and the Tablelands on sealed roads, offering a completely different perspective on Far North Queensland. Many multi-day tours travel one way by each route.
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.
Is the Bloomfield Track suitable for all vehicles?
The Bloomfield Track requires a high clearance 4WD vehicle and is not recommended for conventional vehicles, Campervans, or Caravans. Tour departures use purpose-built 4WD vehicles with experienced guides who know the road conditions year round.
How far is Cooktown from Cairns?
Cooktown is approximately 330 kilometres north of Cairns via the inland Mulligan Highway (around 4 hours driving), or roughly 240 kilometres via the coastal Bloomfield Track route — but the Bloomfield Track takes longer due to road conditions, making both routes a similar total travel time.
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.
What is the best time of year to visit Cooktown?
The dry season — May through November — is the best time to visit Cooktown from Cairns. Roads are at their most reliable, weather is clear and comfortable, and the Bloomfield Track is accessible. During the wet season (November to April), the Bloomfield Track can become impassable, and some tours operate via the inland Mulligan Highway only.