Cooktown, the last major settlement on Australia's east coast, is named after its discoverer, Captain James Cook. His ship, the Endeavour (after which the local river is now named), landed on the shore on June 23, 1770, and the crew spent seven weeks there making repairs and replenishing supplies. This was the first contact between Europeans and the indigenous Guugu Yimithirr people, and it was here that Europeans first encountered kangaroos.
Cooktown subsequently experienced the tumultuous period of the Gold Rush, during which most of the local Aboriginal population was wiped out, and the town suffered from severe fires and cyclones. Today, Cooktown serves as the starting point for journeys into the pristine national parks of northern and central Cape York Peninsula and the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef. It remains one of the least populated and least explored places on Earth.
Cooktown's flora is of particular interest to botanists. Many rare plant specimens are collected in the town's Botanical Garden. Visitors should not miss the James Cook Historical Museum and the Grassy Hill Lookout, which offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area. Cooktown enjoys a hot and humid tropical climate. The most comfortable time to visit is from June to October.
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