Uncover Five Of The Best Properties For Sale Cooktown

Five Affordable Properties For Sale Cooktown

With a rich indigenous history, and thriving agriculture, tourism and arts sectors, it’s not surprising the Far North Queensland town of Cooktown – and the wider Cook Shire – has experienced strong growth in property prices over the past 20 years.

Cooktown Property Prices

Encompassing key towns including Cooktown, Archer River, Lockhart River, and Lizard Island, the shire saw farmland prices jump 149.1 per cent to $8,470/hectare in 2022, taking its 10-year CAGR to 7.1 per cent and its 20-year CAGR to 21 percent, according to the Australian Farmland Values Report.

Despite being only four hours from Cairns and three from Mareeba, the region offers a more affordable option than its larger towns and cities to the south.

Rural property for sale Cooktown - the Cook Shire saw farmland prices jump 149.1 per cent to $8,470/hectare in 2022

Farmland values in the wider Far North Queensland region reached a record high $11,357/ha in 2022, rising further to $12,903/hectare in the first half of 2023 to became the highest valued farmland in the state.

While transactions fell by 21.4 per cent for the first time in five years, a greater proportion of smaller parcels of higher priced land drove the region’s increased median price per hectare. Parcels between 30-100 hectares made up 81 per cent of the region’s transactions in 2022, a jump from 72 per cent in 2021.

Benefits Of Living In Cooktown

Cook Shire is the largest shire by land area in Queensland. From the Bloomfield River in the south to just north of the Jardine River, it covers more than 100,000km2 and occupies 80 per cent of Cape York Peninsula.

Cook Shire is a vibrant area, from the main township of Cooktown to smaller outlying communities rich in indigenous history, agriculture, tourism and arts. About half of the shire’s population live in Cooktown, with the remainder spread between the smaller population centres of Marton, Laura, Lakeland, Coen, Ayton, Rossville, Portland Roads and offshore islands including Lizard Island.

Rural property for sale Cooktown - Cook Shire is rich in indigenous history, agriculture, tourism and arts. Images: Tourism and Events QLD

Cook Shire is enriched by the unique contributions of its smaller communities, with Lakeland a national leader in agriculture, especially cattle and cropping, including bananas.

Renowned for some truly adventurous 4WD experiences and great outdoor camping, the region is a favourite with keen fishing enthusiasts, history buffs and those getting away from it all.

Rural property for sale Cooktown - Cook Shire is a favourite for 4WDers, campers and fishermen. Images: Tourism and Events QLD

The shire features lush tropical rainforests and vast stretches of savannah country with rivers and wetlands – as well as a rich and diverse Aboriginal culture and colourful pioneering history showcased in its excellent cultural centres, rock art galleries and museums.

Cook Shire enjoys a mild tropical climate with the wet season typically running from January to March, which is also the hottest part of the year. April to December brings a drier period and cooler weather.

Factors To Consider Purchasing Property For Sale Cooktown

Buying a rural property can be rewarding, but if you do not have the skills and knowledge to look after the land and livestock properly, the dream can turn into a nightmare. Before you purchase a rural property for sale you should realistically and honestly assess your expectations and capabilities.

The Rural Living Handbook, produced by NSW government agency Local Land Services, provides a useful guide to purchasing a farm. It advises asking yourself some key questions before you buy.

Firstly, are you buying the property more for lifestyle reasons? Or do you plan to improve the property and receive an income from it? If so, have you done a cost‑benefit analysis?

Rural property for sale Cooktown - buyers should determine whether the activities they plan are suitable to the land

Secondly, is the activity you plan for the property suited to the landscape and capability of the land? Is there enough water of suitable quality to sustain the activity that you have in mind? Is the soil fertile and the pH appropriate for growing pasture, crops and any other produce that you want to grow? Are there good quality pastures? Are they dominated by native or introduced species? Is there enough shade and water for stock?

Thirdly, are there any existing conservation agreements or covenants, vegetation management plans or conditions of consent over part/s of the property? Does the zoning of the land allow your proposed use, or will you need to apply for a change of land use or any other permit? If there is no existing dwelling and you want one, does the land have a dwelling entitlement?

Fourthly, do you know the history of the property? What stock did the previous owner have? Did they sow pastures and use fertilisers? Are there any contaminated sites on the property such as cattle dips or rubbish dumps needing remediation? Are there existing or proposed adjacent land uses that will affect your enjoyment of the property?

This rural property for sale Cooktown - buyers should assess condition of structures on the land such as roads and fences

Fifthly, are there any structures on the property and if so, what condition are they in? Are the fences in good repair and suitable for confining stock if that is part of your plan?

And, finally, are all required services provided to the property (ie phone, gas, water, sewer, internet and electricity)? If not, can they be provided economically?

Where To Find Rural Properties For Sale Cooktown

With demand for properties in Cooktown remaining strong into 2024, farmbuy.com has curated five of the best rural properties for sale Cooktown and surrounds. Check them out below – or click on the following link for more rural properties for sale Cooktown.

Rural Property For Sale Cooktown: 18 Mungumby Road, Rossville ($699,000)

This unique countryside home and acreage has hit the market for the first time.

The charming Queenslander is the centrepiece of the fully fenced 25-acre lifestyle farm that overlook the property and mountain views.

This rural property for sale Cooktown is a fully fenced 25-acre lifestyle farm that overlook the property and mountains

The holding has been fenced into five paddocks with previous irrigation set up for some paddocks. Water is delivered by a bore, two rainwater tanks, and two dams.

The large shed has good depth and clearance, three open bays, and one large enclosed two-bay with roller door entry. This home also comes with council approvals for the house and shed.

This rural property for sale Cooktown boasts secure water sourced from a bore, two rainwater tanks, and two dams

The home boasts two bedrooms, office, one bathroom and an ensuite. The main bedroom has the luxury of the ensuite, walk-in wardrobe and its own entrance to the deck and is separated from the main living area.

The second bedroom and lounge room are accessed through stained glass French doors that open onto the large deck. The kitchen contains a dishwasher, overhead cupboard, range hood, double sink, and pantry.

The home on this rural property for sale Cooktown features two bedrooms, an office, one bathroom and an ensuite

Enjoy your outdoor living space with the almost full wrap-around deck overlooking the pastured paddocks and out to the mysterious black mountains.

The entertaining doesn’t stop upstairs; gather your guests around the bar on the open concreted area underneath the house surrounded by beautiful green lawns.

The home on this rural property for sale Cooktown includes a wrap-around deck overlooking the paddocks and mountains

This unique countryside home and acreage is bursting with promise, just add some repairs and finishing touches, and this restored high-set Queenslander will reach its full potential of a beautiful farmhouse.

Click on the following link for more information on this rural property for sale Cooktown at 18 Mungumby Road, Rossville.

Rural Property For Sale Cooktown: 2583 Isabella McIvor Road, Cooktown ($1.25 million)

This unique property for sale offers 1,500 acres in the rich red fertile soil of the McIvor Valley only 70km north of Cooktown.

The property boasts 4.59km of Morgan River frontage complemented by the picturesque mountain ranges at rear of the property encompassing Cape Flattery.

This rural property for sale Cooktown offers 1,500 acres in the rich red fertile soil of the McIvor Valley near Cooktown

Entered via a private river crossing surrounded by tropical rainforest and fenced paddocks, the cleverly positioned solid block and Colorbond shed home offers two bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen with gas stove and built-in cupboards, and a second bedroom which can also be used as an entertainment/lounge area.

The home has been set up for off-grid living with solar, batteries and a generator.

This rural property for sale Cooktown includes a solid block and Colorbond shed with two bedrooms, one bathroom, and kitchen

The valuable 300 acres of cleared land and water licence allows for many avenues to be explored for a self-sustaining lifestyle, including horticulture, farming, and tourism. Surrounding rural farms and lifestyle properties allows your dream to become a new business/lifestyle opportunity.

The property already boasts an irrigated plantation of 400 vanilla beans as well as an orchard.

This rural property for sale Cooktown is suitable for a variety of activities including horticulture, cattle and tourism

The 1,500 acres provides peace, tranquillity with no near neighbours and fishing and hunting in abundance. The freshwater river boundary and the river flowing all year round provides for Barra, Jacks, Perch, Cherapin, all to be caught right from your front yard.

Not only do you get fishing and hunting on your own property you are also only a short one-hour drive to Lakefield National Park, one-hour drive to the mouth of the McIvor River and Cape Flattery Beach.

This rural property for sale Cooktown also offers the ability for fishing and hunting on your own land holding

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience off-grid living and sustainability and create an income from your home.

Click on the following link for more information on this rural property for sale Cooktown at 2583 Isabella McIvor Road, Cooktown.

Rural Property For Sale Cooktown: 472 Miallo Bamboo Creek Road, Bamboo ($1.98 million)

Bordered by more than one kilometre of pristine creek in the Whyanbeel Valley, this rural property for sale offers an attractive lifestyle property suitable for hobby farming, grazing cattle or simply enjoying the quiet life.

The farm features 17.81 hectares (44 acres) of rural grazing land featuring good quality fencing dividing the land into five paddocks.

This rural property for sale Cooktown offers an attractive lifestyle property suitable for hobby farming and cattle grazing

The current owners graze 20 head of cattle and have recently farmed taro as a hobby and side income. The land lends itself to several other farming activities including sugar cane, fruit trees, and livestock.

A permanent creek on the southern and eastern boundary complements a secure town water connection. A 11kW three-phase irrigation pump delivers water via a solid set of aluminium pipe and sprinklers to approximately five acres of land.

This rural property for sale Cooktown features town water, permanent creek, cattle yards and abundant shedding

Cattle yards feature a concreted floor for weaners and electronic scales plus a roofed work area and weaner pen. There are also a pig stye with concreted floor and drink water button, four dog kennels and a chicken pen.

Abundant shedding comprises a 320m2 four double bay machinery shed with three-phase power (14.6m x 22m) plus two shipping containers for additional storage. Mains power is complemented by a 10.8kW solar system.

This rural property for sale Cooktown boasts a renovated main house with four bedrooms plus a separate two-bedroom cottage

What’s more, the rural property for sale includes a renovated main house featuring polished timber floorboards, new lighting, and fans and offering four bedrooms, office and two bathrooms.

There’s also a separate two-bedroom cottage ideal for visitors, borders, or teenagers

This rural property for sale Cooktown is bordered by more than one kilometre of pristine creek in the Whyanbeel Valley

This property requires no work and is ready to be occupied on short notice. If it is a lifestyle property you are after the timing to purchase has never been better.

Click on the following link for more information on this rural property for sale Cooktown at 472 Miallo Bamboo Creek Road, Bamboo.

Rural Property For Sale Cooktown: Cooktown ($769,000)

This 28.5-hectare property for sale Cooktown is rural living at its finest. Just 20 minutes’ from town, the property offers a home, an open farm shed (12m x 9m x 3.4m), lock-up garage, lean-to over a storage container, and a fully lined container under near-new roof that is air-conditioned and suitable for guests with its own shower and toilet.

This rural property for sale Cooktown offers 28.5 hectares supported by solid infrastructure for grazing and cropping

For hobby farmers there’s an open horse stable, shed for cattle lick, greenhouse, and chook pen.

There is also a 2,500gph potable bore, water tanks, solar panels, and an in-ground watering system around the house and sheds.

This rural property for sale Cooktown boasts secure water from a bore and water tanks plus cattle yards and horses stables

The home is tiled throughout and offers two bedrooms plus office and a large new modern bathroom.

The lounge room is very spacious and is sunken from the rest of the house area to make level with the outdoor entertaining area. The spacious kitchen has a large stove and gas top, beautiful timber feature benches and bifold windows for a servery to the large outdoor living area.

This rural property for sale Cooktown includes a two-bedroom home with new bathroom, large kitchen and spacious lounge

The home is positioned on a high knoll, and the access is by a well-maintained gravel driveway that winds up past the cattle yards and into the separately fenced house yard.

What’s more, there’s a separate caretakers’ residence as well.

This rural property for sale Cooktown includes a well-kept house yard with numerous fruit trees, gardens and sheds

The house yard is kept green all year round by the bore that connects to the in-ground watering system and helps water the numerous fruit trees and gardens.

With not even half the property utilised thus far, there are six established fenced paddocks for livestock plus good soil that provides for great pastures.

This rural property for sale Cooktown features six established fenced paddocks for livestock plus good soil for great pastures

This property had previously established over 50 avocado trees, and has been a good little cattle property, but could easily establish another orchard, and grow a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Click on the following link for more information on this rural property for sale Cooktown.

Rural Property For Sale Cooktown: 24 Solander Road, Cooktown ($520,000)

This 34-acre rural property for sale Cooktown boasts a two-street frontage on Solander Road and Poison Creek Road.

Enjoy the peaceful outlook over your huge front yard and three beautiful dams.

This rural property for sale Cooktown comprises 34 acres with multiple locations perfect to build your dream home

Choose the perfect spot on the elevated pad and build your new home or turn a section of the 20m x 21m shed into your shed house (STCA).

The shed includes a toilet and shower and is partly council approved.

This rural property for sale Cooktown comes with three dams, eight fenced acres and irrigated fruit trees

The property also comes with two rainwater tanks, three-phase power, irrigated fruit trees, and fencing on approximately eight acres fenced.

If you are searching for a great lifestyle block only 10 minutes from Cooktown to enjoy, this is a great option to consider.

Click on the following link for more information on this rural property for sale Cooktown at 24 Solander Road, Cooktown.