The countdown is on for another unmissable weekend of Cooktown history, culture and adventure when the 2025 Cooktown Discovery Festival returns on 20-22 June. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
With just 10 weeks to go, planning for the 46th Cooktown Discovery Festival is in full swing, with organisers announcing a survival expert will headline the special guest list for the 20-22 June event.
Renowned survivalist, adventurer, former military pilot, author and filmmaker Mike Atkinson – aka Outback Mike – will join the festival entertainment line-up this year to take locals and visitors on a thrilling journey of resilience and self-reliance.
Best known for pushing the limits of human endurance as a contestant on Alone Australia, Atkinson will showcase the handmade dugout canoe he crafted and used to sail through the treacherous waters of the Great Barrier Reef, armed with nothing but his survival expertise.
Cook Shire Council regional development manager Sally Eales also teased a book unveiling and special documentary screening would coincide with the festival, both of which are reportedly gripping accounts of Atkinson’s extraordinary solo expeditions as he battled the elements and survived entirely off the land and sea.
“Imagine paddling up the Great Barrier Reef in a handmade dugout canoe, battling the elements with nothing but your wits and survival skills,” she said.
“That’s exactly what Mike Atkinson did, and now festival goers will have the chance to hear his incredible story and meet Mike firsthand.”
Attracting thousands of visitors each year, the unmissable weekend is a major economic driver for local businesses, with a significant boost to tourism, hospitality and retail in Cooktown.
“The Cooktown Discovery Festival is more than just an event – it’s a chance to bring our community together, celebrate our unique history, and drive economic activity that supports small businesses across our region,” Cook Shire Mayor Robyn Holmes said.
“Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this festival has something for everyone.”
Survivalist, adventurer, former military pilot, author, filmmaker and contestant on Alone Australia Mike Atkinson – better known as Outback Mike – will headline the special guests at this year’s three-day festival. Photo: Facebook (Outback Mike).
