Cooktown, Australia
Named after the famous British Navigator Captain James Cook, Cooktown is located on the coast of Cape York Peninsula. Since the town is uniquely situated among several major ecozones – tropical rainforest, sclerophyll forests, lagoons and sand dunes – the region is an outdoor playground for visitors looking to hike, fish, bird watch or simply soak in panoramic views on a scenic drive. In town, learn about the local history at James Cook Museum and stroll through the Botanical Gardens, one of the oldest in the country. Cooktown’s biggest draw, though, is its close proximity to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef where you can snorkel or dive among a dizzying array of colorful fish, sea turtles, unique molluscs and perhaps even glimpse a whale or dolphins.