Grassy Hill Lookout

Grassy Hill Lookout is a prominent hilltop viewpoint in Cooktown, Cook Shire, Queensland, overlooking the Endeavour River, Coral Sea and town. It is notable for its 360-degree panoramic views and historic Grassy Hill Lighthouse. The hill is historically associated with Captain James Cook's 1770 landing when the Endeavour was beached for repairs, and remains one of Cooktown's most visited scenic attractions.

Visitors can expect a sealed road drive or steep walk to a hilltop car park and elevated lookout platform with interpretive signage. The site offers panoramic views over Cooktown, the Endeavour River mouth, Coral Sea and surrounding ranges. The historic Grassy Hill Lighthouse (1886) stands nearby. The area is open and grassy with limited shade, seating and photo opportunities, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Grassy Hill was used as a lookout by Captain James Cook and the crew of HM Bark Endeavour during their 48-day stay in 1770 while the ship was repaired after striking the Great Barrier Reef. The hill later became the site of Grassy Hill Lighthouse, constructed in 1886 to aid navigation along the far north Queensland coast, which remains a heritage-listed structure.

The lookout lies within Guugu Yimithirr Country and offers interpretation of both Aboriginal heritage and European maritime history. It is a focal point for understanding Cooktown's identity as the site of the first sustained contact between Europeans and Aboriginal Australians on the east coast, presented through neutral visitor signage and heritage interpretation.