Nature's Powerhouse, Cooktown

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Sitting amongst 62 hectares of the Cooktown Botanic Gardens, the Cooktown Interpretive Centre: Nature’s Powerhouse is home to a treasured collection of botanical illustrations of the flowering plants of the Endeavour River by internationally-recognised artist Vera Scarth-Johnson.

It also houses a remarkable exhibition of Cape York wildlife, inspired by local environmentalist Charlie Tanner and designed by the Queensland Museum. The complex is part of the Queensland Heritage Trails Network, and is a "must see" attraction when visiting Cooktown.

Nestled in the sprawling Cooktown Botanic Gardens, the Cooktown Interpretive Centre: Nature’s Powerhouse encourages visitors to appreciate and protect the unique local environment.

Established in 1878, three years after the colonists arrived at Cook’s Town to make their fortune on the Palmer goldfield, these botanic gardens are the second oldest and the most northerly in Queensland. Initially proposed to create employment for prisoners, the colourful flowers and tropical foliage of European, native and exotic plants provide a welcome respite for travellers. Two pleasant walks lead to swimming beaches at Finch Bay and Cherry Tree Bays.Places to see in Queensland

Places to see in Queensland

» Australian Workers Heritage Centre, Barcaldine » Blackall Woolscour, Blackall » Charleville Cosmos Centre, Charleville » Cloncurry Shire Hall, Cloncurry » Longreach Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame » Townsville North Queensland Network Gateway » Strait Islanders Cultural Centre » Charters Towers - The World » Kronosaurus Korner, Richmond » Nyleta Wetlands Bird Hide » Halloran's Hill Lookout » The Hub - Chillagoe » Quinkan Regional Centre, Laura » Maryborough Heritage Gateway » Artspace Mackay » Cardwell Post Office and Telegraph Station

» Longreach Qantas Founders' Outback Museum » Park, Mount Isa » Tully Valley & King Ranch Cultural Theatre » The Misty Mountain Trails & Kennedy Trail » Tully Visitor and Heritage Centre » Ulysses Link Walking Track, Mission Beach » Kuranda Rainforest Story Walking Tracks, Kuranda » Malanda Dairy Heritage Centre, Malanda » Nganyaji Interpretive Centre, Ravenshoe » Hou Wang Temple » Gateway, Cairns » Nature's Powerhouse, Cooktown » Cape York Heritage Centre, Coen » Rockhampton Customs House » The Mount Morgan Experience » Mackay Town Hall

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