Cooks' Cottage

Cooks' Cottage is located in Fitzroy Gardens, East Melbourne.

Originally built in the village of Great Ayton in Yorkshire, England, this cottage was the ‘dream home’ of James and Grace Cook, the parents of Captain James Cook. Their initials – JGC – are carved into the sandstone above the entry door, along with the year, 1755.

During this period, their son James, at the age of 26, had just joined the Royal Navy. No one could have imagined then that 16 years later their son would become a captain and world-renowned explorer.

For more information on what to see and do at the cottage, for group bookings or to volunteer, visit That's Melbourne, our website for everything to see and do in the city.