What the mapping shows for Cooktown

  • Part of Cooktown is mapped as subject to coastal inundation.

    5.8% of Cooktown is mapped as part of the Queensland coastal management district (coastal management district declared under the Coastal Management Act 2016)

Queensland Coastal Management District, State of Queensland (Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation), Creative Commons Attribution 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-23

This is a share of the suburb's land area from a published state dataset, not an assessment of any property. A ClimateNest report scores the individual address across eight hazards, with insurance and value projections to 2050.

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Bushfire Risk in Cooktown, QLD: 2026 Assessment

Cooktown, Queensland· UNKNOWN
Cooktown faces a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding bushland and dry vegetation. Hot, dry conditions during the dry season increase the likelihood of bushfires spreading towards the town.Updated 22 Mar 2026

5.8% of Cooktown is mapped as part of the Queensland coastal management district (coastal management district declared under the Coastal Management Act 2016)

That figure covers the suburb. Check whether your address is inside it - address-level, sourced, A$49.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

What A$49 could save you from

$7.2B
2022 insured disaster losses*
$300B+
climate risk to property by 2050*
30-120%
insurance premium increases in high-risk areas*

*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA

Full report from A$49 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections

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Bushfire Risk Score

Not assessed

Cooktown faces a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding bushland and dry vegetation. Hot, dry conditions during the dry season increase the likelihood of bushfires spreading towards the town.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Cooktown faces a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding bushland and dry vegetation. Hot, dry conditions during the dry season increase the likelihood of bushfires spreading towards the town.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Cooktown, QLD
Overall Risk
High
Postcode
4895
Region
Regional QLD
Median property value
$450,000
Dominant hazard
extreme heat

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Cooktown, Queensland, has a cooktown faces a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding bushland and dry vegetation. hot, dry conditions during the dry season increase the likelihood of bushfires spreading towards the town. bushfire risk profile. Key factors include distance to classified bushland, vegetation type, slope, and historical bushfire activity in the region. The Queensland fire authority maps bushfire-prone areas and assigns BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings.

The area experiences a distinct dry season, increasing bushfire risk.

CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Cooktown, this may mean shifts in bushfire risk levels over the coming decades, making property-level BAL assessment increasingly important.

Use ClimateNest for a complete address-level bushfire risk report for Cooktown including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Cooktown located in Regional QLD (postcode 4895), is a Queensland suburb tracked by ClimateNest. The suburb's median property value is $450,000, and understanding climate exposure is becoming a standard part of due diligence for buyers, lenders and insurers pricing property in Cooktown.

Across the six hazard axes ClimateNest models, the dominant climate risk for Cooktown in this type is extreme heat. Insurance signals for the suburb point to premiums rising moderately (+35% by 2030). The actual risk of any single home can only be confirmed with an address-level report.

Whether you are buying, selling or renovating in Cooktown, extreme heat is the hazard to weigh first. Local council planning controls, state hazard mapping and lender climate policies each reference this kind of suburb-level signal, and property decisions in Cooktown are increasingly made with an address-level climate report in hand.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandAdjacent to Endeavour National Park
BAL Overlay / ZoneRefer to QFES bushfire maps for specific overlay details.
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2020
Minor

A bushfire near Cooktown threatened properties but was contained by firefighters.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Immediate

Construct levees and improve drainage infrastructure to protect properties from flooding.

Est. cost: High

Implement Bushfire Management Plan

Near-term

Develop and implement a comprehensive bushfire management plan, including hazard reduction burns and community education programs.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop Heatwave Response Plan

Immediate

Establish a heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations during periods of extreme heat.

Est. cost: Low

Plan for Coastal Adaptation

Long-term

Develop a coastal adaptation plan to address the impacts of sea level rise and storm surges.

Est. cost: High

Community Awareness Programs

Near-term

Implement community awareness programs to educate residents about climate risks and adaptation measures.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Cook Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 22 March 2026

Explore Cooktown Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cooktown in a bushfire prone area?

Parts of Cooktown may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Cooktown has a location-specific bushfire risk. Check your specific property for BAL ratings through ClimateNest or your local council.

What BAL rating applies to properties in Cooktown?

BAL ratings in Cooktown depend on the property's distance from classified vegetation, vegetation type, and slope. A site-specific assessment under AS 3959 is required to determine the exact BAL rating for any property within the suburb.

Does bushfire risk affect insurance in Cooktown?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Cooktown may face higher building insurance premiums. Insurers assess bushfire risk based on BAL rating, fire history, and proximity to bushland. Some insurers may restrict cover in very high-risk locations.

What bushfire mitigation measures help protect homes in Cooktown?

Effective bushfire mitigation includes maintaining cleared asset protection zones, using ember-proof mesh on vents, installing metal gutter guards, using non-combustible building materials, and maintaining defendable space. Consult the Queensland fire authority for property-specific guidance.

Is Cooktown Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Cooktown, Queensland, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

What A$49 could save you from

$7.2B
2022 insured disaster losses*
$300B+
climate risk to property by 2050*
30-120%
insurance premium increases in high-risk areas*

*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA

Full report from A$49 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections