45. Town Walk

Cooktown is the northernmost town on the East coast of Australia, located at the mouth of the Endeavour River on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland.

History
In June, 1770, Captain James Cook arrived in the crippled sailing vessel – His Majesty's Bark Endeavour.

The English crew spent almost seven weeks on the site of the present day Cooktown, repairing their ship, locating food, and caring for the sick. The wealthy scientist, Joseph Banks, and naturalist Daniel Solander, who accompanied Cook on the expedition, went collecting, preserving and documenting many new species of plants.

Historical Buildings
Cooktown is an historical town and many of its fine old buildings have been preserved. The photos below were taken on my walk along Charlotte Street. I didn't get to see all of them as the weather was very hot and I only had a certain amount of time.

Above: The Old Bank
The magnificent Bank building, heritage listed both inside and out, was originally built in 1881 as the Queensland National Bank. Typical pf the Victorian era it still retains the original red cedar counters and other decor.

Above: Close-up of entrance
The banking chambers are home to photographic exhibitions conducted by the Cooktown Historical Society. With over 400 glass plate negatives the 2007 exhibition "Cooktown & Palmer - The Early Years" provides a glimpse of our pioneering past.

Above: Mrs. Watson's monument
~ Dedicated (c.1886) to Mrs. Watson who survived an Aboriginal attack on Lizard Island in September 1881 to die later on Number 5 Island of the Howick group for lack of fresh water. The wife of a beche-de-mer fisherman Captain R.F.Watson the attack on her was provoked because their homestead was built on sacred land. One of her two servants was speared but Mrs. Watson her infant son & the other Chinese servant escaped in a boiling down tank to Number 5 Island. Their remains & her diary were found in 1882.

Above: Ferrari Estates
Ferrari Estates was built in 1883 for the Bank of North Queensland.

Above: Sovereign Resort Hotel
Originally constructed in 1874, at the port end of Charlotte Street, the Sovereign was transformed into a resort style hotel in 1986.

Above: Seagren's Inn
Seagren's Inn was erected in 1880 by a former mayor, P.E.Seagren, as a store.

It is now a motel/guest house and goes by the name of Chop Suey Louie's

44. Pam's Place

Cooktown Accommodation
This is where I stayed in Cooktown. Pam's Place is both a hotel and hostel. The hostel is YHA affiliated and the cost very reasonable. It was $25 per night when I stayed here in 2008 and I can honestly recommend it. Pam's Place is on the corner of Charlotte Street and Boundary Street. Charlotte Street is the main road in Cooktown and is on the right hand side as you arrive in Cooktown from Cairns.

Above: Entrance
The huge crocodile on the right is quite welcoming and best of all, he doesn't bite!

Above: Murals
This is part of the colourful hand-painted mural near the reception area. Scott (the owner) told me one of the backpackers who from memory was Austrian asked to paint the walls. And what a wonderful job she did too.

Above: Communal Areas
The top left photo is part of the dining area and the one on the right shows the inside/outside lounge/games area. Lower left is part of the kitchen which is all stainless steel, clean and has a very good selection of pots and pans etc. The lower right is the ladies bathroom. Note the painting on the wall - it is the first thing you see on entering! I never did find out who the model was but he had a nice figure.☺ (The ladies used to often gaze upon this painting...I wonder why)

Above: My room
The room was fairly basic, but it was clean and the mattress was comfortable. A small bar fridge, hanging and shelf space for your clothes etc and a lovely still life painting on the wall. I was in Room 16? (not sure of the number) which was off the side and to the left. There was a nice covered area outside with a couple of timber table and chairs where I would sit and have a cup of tea and a smoke. The view was of plants, flowers and greenery.

Garden Areas
The garden areas around Pam's Place were very lush and green with tropical plants. There was, I beleive, a pool although I didn't use it, there is also a BBQ, which I didn't use either.

Above: The Gazebo
This gazebo is towards the end of the garden. The building on the right is part of the hotel section.

Above: Tall Palms

Above: Garden Collage
Different parts of the garden. There were several hibiscus growing, some with massive flowers and a Chinese (or Japanese) section with garden statues in and around the plants. The lattice with the Welcome ornament was on the wall of the verandah facing the gardens.