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Things to do in Melbourne
Cooks' Cottage

Cooks' Cottage, Melbourne: Hours, Address, Cooks' Cottage Reviews: 4/5

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Cooks' Cottage

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Cooks' Cottage
4
681
#57 of 728 things to do in Melbourne
Historic Sites
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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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.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Popular mentions
4.0
681 reviews
Excellent
254
Very good
289
Average
115
Poor
18
Terrible
5
Andrew M
Coromandel Valley, Australia94 contributions
Something worth seeing
Jan. 2022
Found it strange to find this in Melbourne, but it all made sense one we went inside. Fantastic historical building first erected in England in 1755!!!! Unbelievable!!! Loved this little tour and history lesson.
Written 11 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Traveller
Melbourne, Australia5,539 contributions
A pleasant place to visit
Dec. 2021
My wife and I visited this place during our recent holiday in Melbourne. We stayed at The Sofitel Hotel and walked here as it is merely a short walking distance.

We have been here before many years ago. Cooks' Cottage is an iconic tourist attraction in Melbourne since 1934, when it was shipped, packed in pieces, from North Yorkshire in England and rebuilt in Fitzroy Gardens.

After exploring the cottage, we ventured into the garden. There is a statue of Captain James Cook in the garden.

We also visited the stable, where there is a bench to sit and watch the video showing the history of the cottage and the story of James Cook.
Written 10 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
kim buay p
Singapore, Singapore11,007 contributions
Interesting stories about Captain Cook
Sep. 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.
Written 14 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia9,294 contributions
Where Captain Cook may have lived
Aug. 2021
Captain James Cook made three vpyages to the South Pacific. He mapped the east coast of Australia; without his charts, England could not have settled Australia, The cottage was occupied, in all likelyhood, by Cook at some time. It seems to fascinate visitors.
Written 16 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia36,253 contributions
A bit of history, in the Gardens.
Apr. 2021
Cooks' Cottage is located within Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens. When we visited we thought we would see an "Australian" building where Cook had lived while in this country. We found out reality was slightly different. This cottage was actually built by Cook's parents, in Yorkshire, England, in 1755! The building was brought to Australia after being carefully packed brick by brick and reassembled, in 1934. Still it's interesting and of some historical value. Worth a look if you are in the area.
Written 7 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AndyJohn74
Sans Souci, Australia1,784 contributions
Oldest colonial building in Australia.
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.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia9,294 contributions
Residence of the Cook family
Dec. 2020
This cottage was transported from England to Melbourne in the 1930s. It is uncertain if Captain James Cook RN, the remarkable navigator lived here, but his parents did. This quaint cottage is in Fitzroy Gardens, it has a special place in the hearts of the people of Melbourne
Written 17 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia25,208 contributions
Interesting History
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.
jeffryb
Keysborough, Australia371 contributions
Captain Cook's family lived here
Oct. 2020
Captain Cook's cottages is much-loved by the people of Melbourne. He may have lived here; his family certainly lived here. It's in Fitzroy Gardens; take a look, it's interesting. Captain Cook is the man who put Australia on the map.
Written 7 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
KJain
New Delhi, India1,137 contributions
Cute little thing with history attached!
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Cooks' Cottage
Cooks' Cottage is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Cooks' Cottage tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Cooks' Cottage tours on Tripadvisor