Cooktown's magnificent Botanic Garden of 62 hectares (154 acres) was established near the town in 1878.

Over 200 biological specimens of this rich and diverse natural resource, previously only known to the local Aborigines, were identified and catalogued by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander. Banks and Solander, along with Sydney Parkinson and Alexander Buchan made up the scientific team aboard when Lieutenant James Cook, on his epic voyage around Australia, beached his ship on the banks of the Endeavour River to effect repairs.

Only about 1km from Cooktown's main business centre, the gardens fell into disrepair.  However, in recent years the Gardens have been expanded, and are a favoured destination for botanists and nature lovers. Most of the early stone work has been restored, and beautiful walking tracks lead the visitor from the Botanic Gardens to Cooktown's two most popular beaches, Finch Bay and Cherry Tree Bays.