Nature's Powerhouse
Nature's Powerhouse
4
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Nature's PowerHouse, a large interpretive centre stunningly situated within Cooktown's historic Botanic Gardens, houses the nationally significant Vera Scarth-Johnson botanical illustrations and art gallery, gift shop, café and Visitor Information Centre.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.0
127 reviews
Excellent
54
Very good
43
Average
22
Poor
6
Terrible
2
Cate8867
Brisbane, Australia43 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
Family of 5 for lunch- meals good size $14-16 each. “Social Enterprise cafe providing training and opportunities to local people who face barriers to employment”. Was recommended here by a local- arrived without booking for lunch on a Sunday. Very comfortable on the outdoor deck with a slight breeze . Best squid I’ve ever eaten. Family had: vegetarian nachos, BLT, lamb yiros and tomato bruschetta. Total bill with drinks a bit over $80. Definitely recommend it.
Written 5 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.
glentro
Darwin, Australia175 contributions
July 2022 • Friends
Lovely gardens with some huge paperbark trees. The cafe offers healthy fresh food. Great salads, coffees, Portuguese tarts and scones to name some of my favourite. The art gallery is also amazing with some original Joseph banks pressed plant samples and some amazing lithographs and originals by Vera scarf Johnson. The highlight of our Cooktown trip.
Written 25 July 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.
Thanks for your great review! You were very lucky to be able to see Banks Florilegium alongside Vera Scarth-Johnson's work while you were in Cooktown, as this exhibition only occurs for three months each year.
Written 18 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alex B
Cooktown, Australia1 contribution
Nov 2021 • Friends
I've been to this venue a number of times, and was disappointed to come back after a while away to find that the quality of customer service has decreased significantly. Food was lovely, as were the gardens, but the council staff in charge of POS and bringing food out etc were unfriendly. Tables weren't being cleaned in between customers. Quality was much better while it was being tended by trainees and apprentices.
Written 19 November 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.
Sonia P
Sydney, Australia1 contribution
Nov 2014 • Family
Went to Botanical Gardens and the Natures Powerhouse in Cooktown, While not many people there at this time of Year, the galleries that are on site are presented beautifully, there is lots of little nik-naks to buy if you so wish, and also books on the History of Cooktown, which I thought was a great Idea.
Had Lunch in the Cafe, which I have to say, has to have been one of the BEST meals that I have had so far on our Journey. The Staff were very helpful, and friendly, and the facilities, were extremely clean. This is a definite must for all travellers through the area!
Had Lunch in the Cafe, which I have to say, has to have been one of the BEST meals that I have had so far on our Journey. The Staff were very helpful, and friendly, and the facilities, were extremely clean. This is a definite must for all travellers through the area!
Written 2 December 2014
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.
Kimberley S
3 contributions
Chef Heath has an inspirational menu to match the stunning surroundings, ranging from Coconut Calamari Salad to Curries of the World, and Homemade Quiches to succulent Pork Belly. Al fresco dining on the café verandah is the most pleasant in town, sitting amongst the historic botanic gardens while you watch butterflys waft by and wallabies go about their daily routines. Friendly staff, fast service and all the best local produce. Treat yourself!
Written 13 May 2014
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.
sarahincooktown
Cooktown17 contributions
Nov 2012
Love the unique food, the original coffee (Nowhere else can you get locally made coffee, served in a plunger!) and loved the quirky staff!
Exhibitions all year round, with Vera Scarth-Johnsons paintings being rotated to display what's in flower in the Cooktown Botanic Gardens.. will be a regular to Nature's Powerhouse :-)
Exhibitions all year round, with Vera Scarth-Johnsons paintings being rotated to display what's in flower in the Cooktown Botanic Gardens.. will be a regular to Nature's Powerhouse :-)
Written 5 November 2012
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.
Truus B
Wongaling Beach, Australia473 contributions
Sept 2020 • Friends
Been here many times and it never disappoints. The orchid paintings are excuisite and the Botanic gardens are great too
Written 16 September 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.
DeeL2911
Greater Bendigo, Australia31 contributions
May 2019
After wandering through the art gallery and also the gift shop why not stop off for a coffee and freshly baked pasteries and other delights....yummmm
Written 18 September 2019
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.
BPMF
Buderim, Australia59 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Really enjoyed the Vincent Serico art exhibition. It was visiting Cooktown when we were here. Wonderful paintings, all telling their own story. The rest of the centre was nice, well laid out with friendly staff. Just a bit lacking in brochures of the area, but I did find the information I needed.
Written 18 April 2019
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.
John_M25500
Melbourne, Australia30 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
The Powerhouse is comprised of an art gallery, information centre and cafe within the Cooktown Botanic Gardens. For those interested in art, particularly botanic art, the Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery is a must-see and, at present, juxtaposes Vera's work with the discoveries from Cook's 1770 expedition. The cafe attached is a top class venue and is great place for either a simple coffee or a yummy gourmet lunch. The venue is "inside" the local Botanic Gardens and is one of the top 2 cafes in Cooktown.
It's also a great place to buy a less tacky souvenir of Cooktown if you're in that market!
It's also a great place to buy a less tacky souvenir of Cooktown if you're in that market!
Written 17 August 2018
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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