Cooks' Cottage
Cooks' Cottage
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
A visit to the historic landmark Cooks' Cottage, situated in the beautiful heritage-listed Fitzroy Gardens, is a must when exploring Melbourne. Built in 1755, Cooks' Cottage is the oldest building in Australia and a popular Melbourne tourist attraction. Originally located in Yorkshire, England, and built by the parents of Captain James Cook, the cottage was brought to Melbourne by Sir Russell Grimwade in 1934. Astonishingly, each brick was individually numbered, packed into barrels and then shipped to Australia. Combining modern interpretations of Captain Cook's adventures, centuries-old antiques, a delightful English cottage garden and volunteers dressed in 18th century costumes, Cooks' Cottage is a fascinating step back in time. Entry to the cottage includes a comprehensive fact sheet for a self-guided tour. Available in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, German, French and Korean. School tours and group visits/tours are available. Seasonal school holiday programs and special events are also held throughout the year. Tickets and souvenirs can be purchased from the Fitzroy Gardens Visitor Centre, just 100 metres away.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.0
692 reviews
Excellent
263
Very good
292
Average
114
Poor
18
Terrible
5
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,535 contributions
Mar 2023
The parents of the well-known cartographer and navigator, Captain James Cook RN, constructed Cooks' Cottage in 1755. The cottage is a modest structure, but it is said to be the oldest intact building in Australia, even though it is from North Yorkshire. The question as to whether James Cook actually lived here is open to conjecture, but it is almost certain that he visited his parents here. This quaint cottage is not a mansion, but most visitors agree that the cottage, with its garden and period furniture, is well worth a visit.
Written 26 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndyJohn74
Sydney, Australia5,031 contributions
Jan 2021 • Solo
Situated within Fitzroy Gardens can be found the oldest building in Australia. Originally built in 1755 by Captain Cooks parents it was shipped to Australia in the 1930s brick by brick, each one individually numbered. Due to the pandemic tours are not available, but maybe one day it will reopen.
Written 30 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kim buay p
Singapore, Singapore12,893 contributions
Sept 2021
I did two brilliant guided live-stream tours on Cook's Cottage in Melbourne and A Walk with Captain Cook and Dracula in Whitby. Alexander in Melbourne and John Wright in Whitby collaborated so that we saw the Cook's Cottage in Melbourne first followed John in Whitby on the story of Captain Cook.
Alexander told us wonderful stories about James Cook and his explorations. He also showed us a Tudor miniature village and the Fairy Tree which are also in the same Gardens. We also saw a lovely colourful bed of Tulip and Primrose flowers.
John also told us about how the gothic ruins of the Abbey in Whitby inspired the author to write about Dracula. He also walked the famous 199 steps mentioned in the book. He also showed us the town of Whitby and its harbour with the lighthouses. We could take lovely postcard shots of the scenery.
Alexander told us wonderful stories about James Cook and his explorations. He also showed us a Tudor miniature village and the Fairy Tree which are also in the same Gardens. We also saw a lovely colourful bed of Tulip and Primrose flowers.
John also told us about how the gothic ruins of the Abbey in Whitby inspired the author to write about Dracula. He also walked the famous 199 steps mentioned in the book. He also showed us the town of Whitby and its harbour with the lighthouses. We could take lovely postcard shots of the scenery.
Written 14 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,535 contributions
Feb 2020
Every city has some icon that is dear to the heart of its inhabitants. Cook's Cottage is one such item. It is, indeed, a cottage, not mansion. Whether Captain Cook actually lived there is somewhat dubious. But if your hosts show you the lovely Fitzroy Gardens, where the cottage is locaterd, they are almost certain to show you Cooks Cottage. The authorities have jazzed it up in recent years, but many first-time visitors wiill echo my sister-in-law, who said "it's very small."
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,535 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Cooks Cottage was transferred to Fitzroy Gardens from Yorkshire. The Cottage was built by the parents of Captain James Cook, the cartographer and navigator. Captain Cook did not own the cottage, but probably stayed there. Cook's Cottage is very popular with travelers, who find it quaint and a reminder of Captain Cook, the master mariner who mapped Australia's east coast.
Written 7 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PT S
Bengaluru, India34 contributions
Jan 2020
We went to FItzroy Garden which is very small compared Botanical Gardens. We have to get admission tickets to visit Cooks Cottage and the ticket price is AUD6.90/-. The cottage is too small and not that impressive and worthy for the money.
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah B
Launceston, Australia72 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
A fascinating place, well worth a visit! At first, I thought it might have been a cottage belonging to Captain Cook and where he used to live and was intrigued as to how the city was built up around it, but not so. The cottage was Cook's parent's cottage and was moved to the gardens in the middle of Melbourne brick by brick from England! I loved the recreated rooms and the knowledgeable staff and there was a very informative display about Captain Cook and I learned a lot.
Written 10 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarkN1977
Perth, Australia90 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
We enjoyed our visit. The cottage has been painstakingly rebuilt and is a link to history and the way of life some three hundred years ago. The assistants were very knowledgeable and helpful. Not only the cottage but the gardens around were full of vegetables and herbs so necessary for preserving life and health. A good reminder of the luxuries we enjoy in life and medicine today. History is a combination of many pathways - cooks cottage is a worthy contribution to just one of these pathways
Written 6 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KJain
New Delhi, India1,571 contributions
Nov 2019
Situated in Fitzroy Gardens, cooks cottage is house of Captain Cooks parents brought all the way from England and rebuilt. Looks like what a waste of money in those times but guess that's what people in power have always done. The gud thing is there is traditional dressing for fun with the ticket and it adds a little more charm to the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens,
Written 30 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia29,072 contributions
Dec 2020
Cooks Cottage was built in 1755 in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire for James and Grace Cook, the parents of the famous Captain James Cook who may never have lived there as an adult but he would have visited. Sir Russell Grimwade relocated the cottage to the Fitzroy Gardens in 1934 and it has been an interesting tourist attratction since. It was not open.
Written 7 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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