Get the appHope Vale angler Justin Convent won the adult prize, a Quintrex boat with a motor and trailer, at the Cooktown barramundi competition. More than 1100 anglers entered the event held from Friday to Sunday. Junior winner Nickalah Cobus also took home a boat. Thomas Hone caught the heaviest fish, weighing 7.4 kilograms. Local business owners said the weekend brought many shoppers into town.
Children aged 0 to 5 are invited to a Pop Up Playtime session at the Cooktown Botanic Gardens on Wednesday 18 November. Titled Bugs in my Backyard, the morning takes place at the Botanic Gardens Yarning Circle. Activities include bug hunting, bug-themed stories and hands-on discovery among the plants and pathways. Children can look under leaves for beetles, watch butterflies and find out what else lives in the gardens.
The Central Cape Suns will hold their annual general meeting at the Carpentaria Golf Club on 28 October, from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. The club is seeking volunteers for its 2027 junior rugby league season, which follows two strong seasons. In golf, Aaron May won a 12 Wackers round at the Carpentaria Golf Club on 21 October, with Steve Head taking runner-up honours. Paul Sperring won the Stableford event at Walker Bay on 24 October with 37 points, his second straight weekly win.
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Get the appCooktown newcomer Adam Hagy won two gold medals and placed second overall at his first natural bodybuilding competition in Townsville. He trained for more than 200 days, often starting at 3:15 am in the Cooktown Events Centre gym. Hagy credits the town's gym members, local businesses and residents for their support. Local shops helped him keep to his strict diet. He plans to rest and maintain his fitness before considering another competition in 2028.
Opera Queensland staged its free Bravo! concert at Cooktown's William Daku Waterfront on Thursday 22 October. About 180 people attended, including locals, families, seniors and overseas visitors. Four singers and a pianist performed favourite operas, with the finale drawing a warm response from the crowd. On Friday 23 October, the cast visited Sunbird Cottage to perform for aged care residents. The event was supported through the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Cook Shire Council.
Anglers from as far as South Australia will compete in the Sovereign Resort Hotel Community Day Barramundi Fishing Competition in Cooktown. The 10th event runs from Friday 23 October to Sunday 25 October, with a Quintrex boat for the adult winner and another for junior fishers aged 12 and under. Last year drew more than 1075 fishers, compared with about 80 at the inaugural event. Organisers expect late registrations, while attendance is uncertain due to fuel and cost-of-living pressures. Tickets include entry and can be bought online or at hotel reception.
A male grey cat was picked up on Walker Street, Cooktown, at 9am on Monday 12 October 2026. Its owner can collect it from council during business hours, with proof of ownership required.
A female white and brown Terrier crossbreed has been collected from Hope Street in Cooktown, Queensland, at 8.10am on Friday 16 October 2026. The dog is currently held at the council impound. Anyone who believes the animal is theirs should get in touch with council staff during weekday business hours to arrange its return. Proof of ownership will be needed before the dog can be released to its owner.
Cooktown women are invited to an afternoon of fashion, food and entertainment on 17 October to support the local kindergarten. The event will feature a fashion parade of preloved and new styles, and guests are encouraged to wear race day outfits. The fundraiser has moved from the racecourse to the Sovereign Resort Hotel. Kindergarten director Nardia Whitman said funds will go towards playground upgrades and maintenance. Tickets cost $45 each, with doors opening at 12:30 pm and the fashion parade starting at 1 pm.
The William Daku Splash Park in Cooktown will close early on Thursday 22 October, starting at 6pm, to clear the site for a free Bravo! concert on the waterfront presented by Opera Queensland. The park is due to reopen the following morning. Families planning a visit that day are being asked to take the earlier closing time into account. Visitors who stay on are invited to enjoy the live music by the waterfront.
The Spirits of Cooktown, a theatrical event held in Cooktown’s Pioneer Cemetery, concluded its third year with two performances attended by 153 people. Presented by Box Jelly Theatre Company, the event brought local history to life through storytelling, music, and theatre. Audience members praised the production, with some sharing emotional responses to the stories. The event is a community-driven initiative, involving local performers, volunteers, and researchers, with historical support from the Cooktown History Centre.