Cooktown & Cape York Expo

Cooktown & Cape York Expo 2021 is an action-packed event, showcasing Indigenous arts and culture, history, science, agriculture, workshops, demonstrations, music, song, dance and fabulous food in one of Australia's most unique and stunning settings from June 11-20, 2021.

Cooktown, an unspoilt historical town surrounded by countryside and the Great Barrier Reef, is located on the lower section of Cape York Peninsula, Tropical North Queensland. With a laid-back atmosphere and friendly people, Cooktown is the perfect base to explore and experience the rich culture and history of the region.

A major highlight of the 10 day event is the Reconciliation Rocks Music Festival (June 11-13) featuring Busby Marou, Mau Power and Troy Cassar-Daley together with some of the region’s best known Indigenous and non-Indigenous performing artists - and it's free to attend!

Part of the Reconciliation Rocks Music Festival is the Indigenous Back in Time showcase, featuring bush tucker tasting, weaving, spear throwing,  regional Indigenous art exhibitions, language workshops and story telling. There'll also be a live re-enactment of the first recorded act of reconciliation between Captain Cook and the Guugu Yimithirr bama, The Warrma and fireworks (local dancers from First Nation’s communities), a side show alley and fun fair.

Another highlight is the Cooktown Discovery Festival, held over the weekend of June 18-20 and featuring ticketed events The Cooktown Cantata (ticketed – Botanical Reflections (a musical work of reconciliation especially commissioned for Cooktown Expo 2020) and The Endeavour Ball. Watch the Cape York Regional Street Parade and Under the Sea and Ocean Illumination Lantern Parade, enjoy Botanic Gardens and history tours, hear live music and discover more about the rich culture of the Guugu Yimithirr people, James Cook and his crew, and what happened when the two groups came together...

From June 14-16, the other key part of the festival, the Cape York Business Expo, will be held at the Cooktown Events Centre, accommodating up to 55 exhibitor stands. Here, businesses and groups from across Tropical North Queensland and the Cape York Peninsula will showcase their products and services, while visitors can talk with exhibitors and hear from a variety of speakers scheduled on stage throughout the week.

Good to know - This fantastic festival is the perfect excuse to visit and explore this beautiful region of North Queensland.

Need to know - From self-sufficient camping holidays, luxurious deserted islands, caravan parks and backpackers to farmstays or rainforest retreats, there are a variety of accommodation options to suit all budgets in Cooktown and the surrounding areas. And if all accommodation providers are fully booked, there's also the option to book onsite tent accommodation with Tent City.

Cooktown and Cape York Expo 2021 is a valued partner of Must Do Brisbane.com