Get ready for an unmissable weekend of history, adventure, and entertainment as the 46th annual Cooktown Discovery Festival returns from 20-22 June 2025.
This iconic festival brings together locals and visitors to celebrate Cooktown’s rich heritage, culture, and vibrant community spirit.
Attracting thousands of visitors each year, the festival is a major economic driver for local businesses, with a significant boost to tourism, hospitality, and retail across Cape York Peninsula. Accommodation providers, cafes, and tour operators all benefit from increased visitation, reinforcing the festival’s value to the region.
Mayor Robyn Holmes highlighted the festival’s significance:
“The Cooktown Discovery Festival is more than just an event—it’s a chance to bring our community together, celebrate our unique history, and drive economic activity that supports small businesses across our region. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this festival has something for everyone.”
“The Cooktown Discovery Festival is more than just an event—it’s a chance to bring our community together, celebrate our unique history, and drive economic activity that supports small businesses across our region. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this festival has something for everyone.”
New in 2025, renowned survivalist, adventurer, former military pilot, author and filmmaker Mike Atkinson will take festival-goers on a thrilling journey of resilience and self-reliance.
Best known for pushing the limits of human endurance as a contestant on Alone Australia, Mike will showcase the handmade dugout canoe he crafted and used to sail up to the tip of Australia, through the treacherous waters of the Great Barrier Reef—armed with nothing but his survival expertise.
He will also unveil his latest book, Modern-Day Castaway, and host a special screening of his documentary Surviving the Great Barrier Reef, both of which are gripping accounts of his extraordinary solo expeditions, detailing the raw challenges of battling the elements, sourcing food from the ocean, and surviving entirely off the land and sea.
“Imagine paddling up the Great Barrier Reef in a handmade dugout canoe, battling the elements with nothing but your wits and survival skills,” said Cook Shire Council’s Regional Development Manager, Sally Eales. “That’s exactly what Mike Atkinson did, and now festival-goers will have the chance to hear his incredible story and meet Mike firsthand.”
“Imagine paddling up the Great Barrier Reef in a handmade dugout canoe, battling the elements with nothing but your wits and survival skills… that’s exactly what Mike Atkinson did, and now festival-goers will have the chance to hear his incredible story and meet Mike firsthand.”
Festival favourites, including the iconic Cooktown Re-enactment of Captain Cook’s landing, the Street Parade, the Big Run for Little Athletics and the mad-capped, Unfenced Asylum Challenge are also returning in 2025. As is Cook Shire’s Got Talent, and an incredible music line up featuring the Hussy Hicks—a powerhouse duo renowned for their electrifying blues, rock, and roots performances—plus local legends Black Image Band and The Road Trippers, with more to be announced.
Three Months to Go:
With three months to go, planning is in full swing! Entertainment, market vendors, and logistics are being finalised to ensure a seamless festival experience. The Festival Family Committee, local businesses, and community groups are working behind the scenes to deliver an event that honours Cooktown’s heritage while creating lasting experiences for visitors and residents alike.
Why This Festival Matters
More than just a weekend of entertainment, the Cooktown Discovery Festival is a major driver of tourism and economic activity, attracting hundreds of visitors who fill local hotels, and support small businesses across the region. It also brings the community together, engaging schools, volunteers, and local community groups in a shared celebration of Cooktown’s history, sense of adventure, and rich cultural heritage. With something for everyone, this year’s festival promises to be an unforgettable experience for locals and visitors alike.
For the latest updates and the full festival program, visit www.cooktowndiscovery.com.au
For media and sponsorship opportunities, market stall applications or to volunteer, please contact Cook Shire Council via email to mail@cook.qld.gov.au or by phoning 4082 0500
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