Cook Shire Council
Local Government Organisation
Christmas Photos with Santa
Friday 13 December 2024
Get ready for some Christmas magic! Cook Shire Council is offering FREE Santa photo sessions for local families at the Cooktown Library!
Dress to impress! Matching Crazy Christmas Shirts? Aussie Christmas? Get Creative!
Each booking (groups or individuals) will receive 1 x FREE 6inch x 8inch printed photo with Santa and the option to download digital copies and/or print extra photos at your own expense.
Important Information:
- Each booking will be allocated a 5-minute session within a set 30-minute timeframe *Please note delays may be experienced
- Only one group photo is permitted per booking
- Family Christmas craft activities will be available within the Library
- Pre-registration is essential as spots are limited
- No pets are permitted in the Library
Cooktown Library
Sunset with Santa 2024
Friday 6 December 2024
Sunset with Santa, Friday 6 December 2024
Come along to William Daku Park to enjoy an afternoon of family fun and a visit from Santa!
Come dressed in your best brightly coloured Christmas outfit.
Prizes available for the best dressed boy, girl and family.
Please bring:
- Chairs or a picnic rug
- Water
- Towels
- Togs
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Positive Christmas Vibes
Please note only children 10 years and under are eligible for presents from Santa.
Adults and children over 10 years DO NOT require a ticket to attend the event.
William Daku Park
Seniors Month - Morning Tea at Nature's Powerhouse
Thursday 31 October 2024
If you are someone who is over 55 please join us in celebrating Senior's month at Nature's Power House for a special morning tea!
Thursday 31 October 10.30am - 12pm
Registrations are required for catering purposes.
Nature's Powerhouse Café
Marketing your Events with Council (CANCELLED)
Between Wednesday 23 October 2024 and Thursday 24 October 2024
Unlock the full potential of your community event by attending one of our two Marketing Your Event with Council workshops!
Boost your event’s visibility with our Marketing Your Event with Council workshops! Get hands-on tips for promoting your event on our new website and listing it on the events calendar.
Please bring your laptop and a notebook and pen! Spaces are stricty limited—registrations are essential.
Cook Shire Council Main Administration Building
High Tea and a Harpist
Saturday 19 October 2024
Loni Fitzpatrick is a celebrated harpist and singer known for her exceptional musicality and versatility.
Enjoy an afternoon of tasty treats carefully created by the Nature's Powerhouse team whilst enjoying whimsical harp music that carries you through both the classical and contemporary world of music.
Tea, coffee and water included. Other beverages are BYO.
Nature's Powerhouse Café
The Spirits of Cooktown
Between Friday 13 September 2024 and Saturday 14 September 2024
Immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of Cooktown with the "Spirits of Cooktown" performance. This unique and captivating show takes audiences on a journey through time, celebrating the stories, traditions, and spirit of our region. As you watch, you'll be transported to the early days of Cooktown, witnessing the moments that shaped this remarkable community and meeting the characters who brought it to life.
The "Spirits of Cooktown" is more than just a performance—it's an experience that connects the past with the present. Through powerful storytelling, traditional music, and dynamic performances, the show brings to life some of the characters who influenced Cooktown's history. Each story is told with respect and authenticity, offering a deeper understanding of the town's heritage.
Prices:
Adult 18+ = $10
Youth 13-17 = $5
Under 13 = FREE (tickets still required)
*Please note this show is rated PG
BOOK NOW!
Cooktown Cemetery
'80s Dance Party
Saturday 7 September 2024
Time: 7pm to 10pm
Live dance instructor and DJ
Theme: All things 80's! Dress up in your tightest lycra and your brightest leg warmers!
Best Dressed male and female prizes to be won!
Price: Adults and Children (13+) - $15.00
Children (under 13yrs) - free, ticket is required
There will be bar service and snacks available for purchase on-site.
BOOK NOW!
Shire Hall
Amor
Monday 19 August 2024
A story about love's subtle nuances in a captivating physical theatre spectacle, that captivates the ears, eyes and heart.
Brought to life by the D.I.V.E Theatre Collective and JUTE Theatre.
The performance is presented in a non-conventional theatre setting where there are no stages or seats. Spectators are encouraged to stand alongside the performers to embark on a truly emotional experience.
6pm - 7pm (arrive at 5.45pm, no late entry)
Amor Theatre Performance
Ages 15+ = $15 each.
This show is recommended for audiences aged 15+
7.30pm-8.30pm
Theatre Making workshop, creating a Cooktown Theatre Group. FREE but require a ticket. Suitable for ages 13+.
Cooktown Shire Hall
Art, Stories & Truth Telling: Morning Tea with Willie Gordon
Thursday 11 July 2024
Join Guugu Yimithirr Elder and story-keeper, Willie Gordon, son of accliamed artist and story-teller Tulo Gordon, as he presents one of his father’s original bark paintings for display at Nature’s Powerhouse and shares with us some of the stories that have shaped him and his family.
Nature's Powerhouse
Whalebone By Jens Altheimer
Saturday 6 July 2024
"Step into the magical world of the 'Depository", a mysterious agency that safeguards human
memories.
As a rogue AI threatens to erase our treasured stories, a solitary worker races against time.
Can his quirky contraptions and eccentric machines shield our stories?
Jens Altheimer masterfully blends humour, imagination, and heart in WHALEBONE, a show
bursting with dazzling visuals, playful inventions and a pinch of circus.
Perfect for kids and adults, this is not just a show—it's a journey into a fantastical realm where
tech meets tale, sparking wonder, curiosity and a good think about what AI means for our
lives.
Celebrate the magic of stories, laugh about comic clashes between man and machine and
rediscover what truly makes us human.
The circus performance workshop is for children aged 9-12 years only.
The 7pm show is open to all ages. Under 5s are free but require a ticket. 5 years and above are $15 each.
Cooktown Shire Hall
Worm Farm at Home Workshop
Saturday 15 June 2024
Cook Shire Council is excited to present the "Worm Farm at Home Workshop," hosted by The Worm Man. This interactive and informative workshop is perfect for anyone interested in sustainable waste management, composting, and worm farming.
What’s Included with Your Ticket?
• Workshop Sessions with the Worm Man: Learn the ins and outs of composting, worm farming, and using liquid applications in your garden.
• Take-Home worm farm worth $120 (garden feeding station and plant saucer) mineral supplements needed to start your own worm farm at home and ensure your worms are healthy and productive
• Worms A worm voucher to purchase worms needed to kick-start your composting process
• Light refreshments throughout the day of the workshop
The Youth Block
Cooktown Discovery Festival - Regional Street Parade
Saturday 15 June 2024
Cooktown Discovery Festival Regional Street Parade 2024.
Post Cyclone Jasper, we are bouncing back!
This years parade theme is "Bounce Back", great cash prizes for the floats that best fit the theme!
Corner of Adelaide and Walker Streets
Botanic Drawing Workshop
Between Friday 14 June 2024 and Saturday 15 June 2024
Join botanical artist, Louise Saunders, for a three hour botanic drawing workshop where you will learn how to draw orchids and maiden hair ferns.
All materials supplied.
Suitable for all skill types. Age 13+
Nature's Powerhouse
Guided Walk Gallop Botanic Reserve
Saturday 15 June 2024
Join a guided scenic bush walk of the heritage listed Gallop Botanic Reserve and learn about the botanical species that captured the imagination of Banks and Solander back in 1770. Lead by Professor Darren Crayn, Queensland Herbarium.
Hurry, limited tickets available!
$20 per person
Reasonable level of fitness required. Suitable for ages 7+
Cooktown Botanic Gardens
Guided Tour Cooktown Botanic Gardens
Friday 14 June 2024
Join the Curator of the Cooktown Botanic Gardens for a guided tour of the heritage listed botanic gardens and its collections.
Cooktown Botanic Gardens
An Evening with Karl S Williams
Thursday 13 June 2024
Enjoy an evening with folk and blues singer and award winning musical artist, Karl S Williams.
Canapes provided. BYO drinks.
Nature's Powerhouse
Special Film Screening: Audrey Napanangka
Wednesday 29 May 2024
Join us for a special event film screening in Cooktown during National Reconciliation Week, where we proudly present "Audrey Napanangka."
Audrey Napanangka's story is one of resilience, love, and the power of cultural heritage. Born into a time of immense change in the Central Australian Desert, Audrey's life became a testament to the fusion of worlds as settler colonialism reshaped her landscape. Yet, through it all, Audrey, alongside her Sicilian partner Santo, stands as a beacon of strength, navigating the complexities of blended family life with grace and determination.
As a Warlpiri woman living in Alice Springs, Audrey embodies the spirit of her ancestors while embracing the challenges of the modern world. Together with Santo, she nurtures a multigenerational family, instilling in them the values of culture, language, and Law, alongside the tools of mainstream education.
Cooktown Shire Hall
Soap Making Workshop - Rossville
Sunday 19 May 2024
As part of the Cyclone Jasper recovery we are offering Rossville, Helenvale and Bloomfield residents the opportunity to learn how to make natural soap and take home what you make! (approximately seven bars of soap).
Open to Rossville, Helenvale and Bloomfield residents only.
Ages 16+
Free
Rossville Hall
Sunset with Santa 2023
Friday 1 December 2023
Sunset with Santa, Friday 1 December 2023
Come along to William Daku Park to enjoy an afternoon of family fun and a visit from Santa!
Come dressed in your best Aussie Christmas attire.
Prizes available for the best dressed boy, girl and family.
Please bring:
- Chairs or a picnic rug
- Water
- Towels
- Togs
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Positive Christmas Vibes
*Please note only Children 10 years and under are eligible for presents from Santa.
William Daku Park
Cooktown's 150th - Bush Dance
Friday 20 October 2023
Help us to commemorate Cooktown being founded as a town 150 years ago with our family friendly Bush Dance event!
Live music and dancing will be the highlight of the evening, perfect for all ages to enjoy. With a welcoming atmosphere and plenty of space to move, our Bush Dance is sure to be a night to remember. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to make memories with your loved ones!
Time: 6pm to 10pm
Live Music: Whiskey Boat
Theme: Dress up in your Heritage costumes/Bush Dance Attire
Price: Adults (18+) - $10.00
Children (3-17yrs) - $10.00
Children (under 3yrs) - free, no ticket required
There will be bar service and hot food available for purchase on-site.
BOOK NOW!
Shire Hall
Cooktown Discovery Festival - Regional Street Parade
Saturday 17 June 2023
Cooktown Discovery Festival Regional Street Parade 2023!
Will you go on a journey to your back yard? What do you see, what do you feel?
What is your back yard? is it where you live? or does it explore further than that?...
The options are endless!
This years parade theme is "Our Backyard", great cash prizes for the floats that best fit the theme!
Corner of Adelaide and Walker Streets
In the footsteps of Banks and Solander
Saturday 17 June 2023
Join a guided scenic bush walk from Grassy Hill to the Cooktown Botanic Gardens via Cherry Tree Bay and learn about the botanical species that captured the imagination of Banks and Solander back in 1770. Lead by Professor Darren Crayn, Queensland Herbarium.
Hurry, limited tickets available!
$25 per person
Cooktown Botanic Gardens
Bama Beginnings Cultural Tours
Between Friday 16 June 2023 and Saturday 17 June 2023
Take a walk through First People's Grove in the Cooktown Botanic Gardens with local indigenous Tour Guides to learn about the history of indigenous culture and Bush Tucker in Cooktown. The tour will be followed by a hands on experience in spear throwing on the Queens Oval.
First People's Grove, Cooktown Botanic Gardens
Cooktown Discovery Festival Bush Dance 2023
Friday 16 June 2023
Experience the joy of family-friendly fun at our Bush Dance event!
Live music and dancing will be the highlight of the evening, perfect for all ages to enjoy. With a welcoming atmosphere and plenty of space to move, our Bush Dance is sure to be a night to remember. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to make memories with your loved ones!
Live Music: Whiskey Boat
Theme: Dress up in your Western/Bush Dance Attire
Bar Available on-site provided by Cooktown Horse Sports Association.
Food Available on-site by Cooktown and District Youth Association.
Event Kicks off at 7pm to 11pm
Shire Hall
LGAQ Natural Resource Management Field Trip - Cook Shire
Wednesday 10 May 2023
Field trip on 10th May 2023, the day prior to the LQAG NRM Forum.
This tour includes:
- Presentations from a variety of stakeholders on NRM projects within the area
- Site visits to local businesses
- Site visits to project locations around Cooktown
- A highlight of Cooktown and popular destinations
Lunch is included in field trip - please specify dietary requirements upon booking.
Tour goes from 9:00am to 3:30pm however for those arriving at Lunch time their is a half day option.
Cook Shire Council
3D Pen Art Workshop
Between Tuesday 11 April 2023 and Thursday 13 April 2023
Unleash your creativity and explore the endless possibilities of 3D art with this exciting workshop!
These sessions go for 40 minutes each where you can design and create 3-Dimensional art with the touch of a pen!
See more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4irdt1moZM
Cooktown Shire Hall
West African Drumming Workshops Cooktown
Between Tuesday 13 December 2022 and Wednesday 14 December 2022
Experience and learn the techniques of West African Drumming this school holidays!
Monday 12th - Wednesday 14th December 2022
The workshops will be held for 45 minutes each at 3 locations in Cook Shire.
Monday 12th Dec @ Lakeland Gateway to Cape York
- Session 1 - 4pm to 4:45pm
- Session 2 - 5pm to 5:45pm
Tuesday 13th Dec @ Cooktown QCWA Hall
- Session 3 - 8:30am to 9:15am
- Session 4 - 9:30am to 10:15am
- Session 5 - 10:30am to 11:15am
Tuesday 13th Dec @ Rossville Hall
- Session 6 - 2pm to 2:45pm
- Session 7 - 3pm to 3:45pm
- Session 8 - 4pm to 4:45pm
Wednesday 14th @ Cooktown QCWA Hall
- Session 9 - 9am to 9:45am
- Session 10 - 10am to 10:45am
Open to children and adults
All Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult
Workshops are FREE however a pre-registration is required
Cooktown QCWA Hall
West African Drumming Workshops Rossville
Tuesday 13 December 2022
Experience and learn the techniques of West African Drumming this school holidays!
Monday 12th - Wednesday 14th December 2022
The workshops will be held for 45 minutes each at 3 locations in Cook Shire.
Monday 12th Dec @ Lakeland Gateway to Cape York
- Session 1 - 4pm to 4:45pm
- Session 2 - 5pm to 5:45pm
Tuesday 13th Dec @ Cooktown QCWA Hall
- Session 3 - 8:30am to 9:15am
- Session 4 - 9:30am to 10:15am
- Session 5 - 10:30am to 11:15am
Tuesday 13th Dec @ Rossville Hall
- Session 6 - 2pm to 2:45pm
- Session 7 - 3pm to 3:45pm
- Session 8 - 4pm to 4:45pm
Wednesday 14th @ Cooktown QCWA Hall
- Session 9 - 9am to 9:45am
- Session 10 - 10am to 10:45am
Open to children and adults
All Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult
Workshops are FREE however a pre-registration is required
Rossville Hall
West African Drumming Workshops Lakeland
Monday 12 December 2022
Experience and learn the techniques of West African Drumming this school holidays!
Monday 12th - Wednesday 14th December 2022
The workshops will be held for 45 minutes each at 3 locations in Cook Shire.
Monday 12th Dec @ Lakeland Gateway to Cape York
- Session 1 - 4pm to 4:45pm
- Session 2 - 5pm to 5:45pm
Tuesday 13th Dec @ Cooktown QCWA Hall
- Session 3 - 8:30am to 9:15am
- Session 4 - 9:30am to 10:15am
- Session 5 - 10:30am to 11:15am
Tuesday 13th Dec @ Rossville Hall
- Session 6 - 2pm to 2:45pm
- Session 7 - 3pm to 3:45pm
- Session 8 - 4pm to 4:45pm
Wednesday 14th @ Cooktown QCWA Hall
- Session 9 - 9am to 9:45am
- Session 10 - 10am to 10:45am
Open to children and adults
All Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult
Workshops are FREE however a pre-registration is required
Lakeland Gateway to Cape York
Australian Live Theatre Films
Between Friday 16 September 2022 and Tuesday 20 September 2022
Sydney Festival Roadshow comes to Cooktown with a series of 4 pre-recorded live theatre films featured at the Cooktown Shire Hall.
The films include:
- Italian Baroque with Circa (100 mins)
- Erth Prehistoric Picnic (40 mins)
- The Pulse (76 mins)
- Stay (78 mins)
BYO cushions, bean bags and pillows if you wish to sit on the floor.
Cooktown Shire Hall
Botanic Gardens Night Tours
Between Friday 17 June 2022 and Sunday 19 June 2022
Join entomologists Dr David Rentz (AM), specialist in Orthoptera, the family of insects that includes grasshoppers, locusts, katydids and crickets and Buck Richardson, the "moth whisperer", as they guide you through the gardens to identify insects and animals.
Light sheets will be erected throughout the gardens to attract insects and help discover what's out there!
What to bring:
• A headlight or torch
• Camera
• Insect Repellent
Adults: $10 per person
Kids: Free
Cooktown Botanic Gardens
Hats and High Tea
Sunday 19 June 2022
Enjoy a lovely high tea on the verandah of Nature's Powerhouse, set amongst the Cooktown Botanic Gardens.
Price includes a scrumptious selection of sweet and savoury afternoon tea treats, coffee, tea, and live music from local artist, David Pyke.
Don't forget to wear your fancy hat, because the best hat/fascinator/bonnet wins a prize!
Dress: smart casual, with a hat
$45 per person
Nature's Powerhouse Cooktown
Extreme Bicycle Stunts Workshop - Intermediate
Sunday 19 June 2022
Join Borys from Extreme bicycle stunts for a morning of BMX tricks at the William Daku Park Waterfront Precinct!
This intermediate class will teach you tricks and stunts for you and your BMX bike.
Please bring:
- Bike
- Helmet and Safety Gear
- Closed in shoes
- Water Bottle
- Sun Screen
* You must be able to ride a bike to attend this workshop.
William Daku Park
Cooktown Discovery Festival - Regional Street Parade
Saturday 18 June 2022
Regional Street Parade
Sponsored By Essential Air Solutions
Will you go on a journey with a step back in time, is it Captain Cook sailing down the Endeavour, is it the Gold Rush Days?
How about an adventure, maybe it's a trip to the reef, a 4WD adventure in the bush - where will you go?
Showcase our culture, will it be through local indigenous story telling and performances? or rock art brought to life?
The options are endless!
This years parade theme is History, Adventure
Corner of Hogg St and Charlotte Street
In the footsteps of Banks and Solander
Saturday 18 June 2022
Join a guided scenic bush walk from Grassy Hill to the Cooktown Botanic Gardens via Cherry Tree Bay and learn about the botanical species that captured the imagination of Banks and Solander back in 1770. Lead by Professor Darren Crayn, Queensland Herbarium.
Hurry, limited tickets available!
$15 per person
Cooktown Botanic Gardens
Extreme Bicycle Stunts Workshop - Beginner
Saturday 18 June 2022
Join Borys from Extreme bicycle stunts for a morning of BMX tricks at the William Daku Park Waterfront Precinct!
This beginners class will teach you the base tricks and stunts for you and your BMX bike.
Please bring:
- Bike
- Helmet and Safety Gear
- Water Bottle
- Sun Screen
* You must be able to ride a bike to attend this workshop.
William Daku Park
Banks Banquet Dinner
Friday 17 June 2022
Enjoy an exclusive four course dinner set on the verandah of Nature's Powerhouse Cooktown, overlooking the heritage listed Cooktown Botanic Gardens. The gardens are home to a living collection of plant specimens, from those that were collected by the H.M.B Endeavour botanists, Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, back in 1770.
- Set Menu
- BYO Drinks
- Live entertainment
- Dress: Cocktail
$80 per person
18+ event
Nature's Powerhouse Cooktown
Women in Business Breakfast
Tuesday 31 May 2022
Come along and help celebrate Small Business Month on 31 May 2022 hosted by Cook Shire Council & the Cooktown Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Inc. The Women in Business Breakfast held at the Nature's Power House, Cooktown, will be supported by a keynote speech from the Small Business Commissioner of Queensland and regional women in Business. This event is the beginning of creating a sisterhood of support, encouragement, mentorship and empowerment for women in business in our region.
Nature's Powerhouse Cooktown
Sculptural Metalwork Workshop
Between Saturday 13 November 2021 and Sunday 14 November 2021
Creating garden art with recycled mixed metals.
Students will design and create a garden art project of their choice using different metalworking techniques including cutting, fixing (including welding) and forming metal.
Nyree Smith, your trainer, is a creator of metal art and objects, with over 30 years’ experience.
Saturday 13 November - Women Only
Sunday 14 November - Open
Cooktown Mens Shed
Iterate Elaborate Workshop
Saturday 30 October 2021
Join artist Leigh Schoenheimer in a hands-on sculpture workshop where participants will produce a small, three dimensional work using found materials. Participants will be encouraged to exercise their problem solving skills while engaging in the creative process.
Cooktown Croc Shop (underneath)
Sunset with Santa
Saturday 7 December 2019
Join us at the Cooktown Foreshore for Sunset with Santa - a fun, tropical themed Christmas event with free refreshments and a visit from Santa! Each ticket holder will receive a free gift.
Please only order a ticket for children aged 0 - 12 yrs. There is a limit of 200 tickets.
Adults and children over 12 yrs DO NOT need a ticket but can still attend the event.
Come dressed in your best tropical Christmas outfit to win a prize!
Cooktown Foreshore
Solander's Artists
Friday 14 June 2019
Join Cairns botanical artist, Julie McEnerny for a fun filled workshop including botanical specimen collection and field sketching and drawing.
All materials will be supplied on the day.
BYO Lunch.
Cooktown Botanic Gardens
Sunset with Santa
Saturday 1 December 2018
Join us at the Cooktown Foreshore for Sunset with Santa - a fun, tropical themed Christmas event with free refreshments and a visit from Santa! Each ticket holder will receive a free gift.
Please only order a ticket for children aged 0 - 12 yrs. There is a limit of 200 tickets.
Adults and children over 12 yrs DO NOT need a ticket but can still attend the event.
Come dressed in your best tropical Christmas outfit to win a prize!
Cooktown Foreshore
Aboriginal Storytelling
Saturday 16 June 2018
Join Nugal-Warra elder, Willie Gordon on an intimate story telling experience set among the Cooktown Botanic Gardens. Share the Aboriginal stories of the region and learn about the local cultures.
Cooktown Botanic Gardens
Discovery Festival Ball 2018
Friday 15 June 2018
Join us at the Discovery Festival Ball for a formal evening of food, entertainment and dancing to help celebrate the official opening of the 2018 Cooktown Discovery Festival.
Cooktown PCYC Events Centre
Solander's Artists
Friday 15 June 2018
Join Cairns botanical artist, Julie McEnerny for a fun filled workshop including botanical specimen collection and field sketching and drawing.
All materials will be supplied on the day.
BYO Lunch.
Cooktown Botanic Gardens