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Arguably Australia’s oldest building, Captain James Cooks’ parents cottage was sold in the town of Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, UK, for £800, dismantled and transported to Melbourne, Australia, where it was re-erected in Fitzroy Gardens. The purchase of the cottage was a gift from a wealthy industrialist, Sir Russell Grimwade, to mark the centenary of permanent European settlement in Victoria (Portland 1834, but there were earlier attempts). There is an on-line video of Grimwade taken in 1938.
The cottage is tiny and would be a lesson to the younger generations to see how life existed during the 1700’s (building erected OR renovated 1755 – stone above doorway CJG 1755). It comprises a ground level living area which includes the kitchen and eating area, a small bedroom and upstairs 3 room sleeping quarters (the cottage was larger during Cooks parents’ time). To the side of the cottage is the former stable (added after Cooks’ time), which has an interactive display on the life and times of James Cook as well as a small gift shop.
For the superstitious; there are 6 “witches’ chairs” on the outside of the building – the little flat protrusions on the eves. They are meant as a resting place for a witch, who can alight from her broomstick and have a break from her long journey, BUT the chairs are never near a door or chimney lest the witch enter.
The grounds of the cottage contain a statue of Cook and a garden representing how an English Cottage garden would have been laid out with vegetables, herbs and fruiting trees. There is growing some unique plants used by Cook and other seafarers to ward off scurvy including New Zealand spinach. Note the Union Jack on the flagpole; it is not the modern flag, but dates to the late 1700’s and does not include the cross of St Patrick.
Self guided tours (information sheet provided) and allow up to 2 hours visiting. Admission $5, discounts for seniors and children.
Updated May 24, 2012
Address: Fitzroy Gardens, Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
Phone: 03 9419 5766
Website: www.cookscottage.com.au
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Its tiny, but a major Melbourne attraction is Captain Cook's cottage. Or so it is so labelled, although in reality it is the home of his parents, and there is no actual proof that the European discoverer of Australia ever lived here.
It was purchased in 1934, dismantled stone by stone and transported from the Yorkshire village of Great Ayton to Melbourne. It was then restored, decorated and furnished as it would have been around 1750.
Open 9am-5pm daily. Admission $A4.50/$A2.70 (students/pensioners)/$A2.20 (kids)/$A12 family.
As well as the tiny cottage is the small but interesting display/exhibition in the souvenir shop along with a small 'cottage' garden.
It's cute and interesting but will not take much more than an hour. Combine it with a walk through Fitzroy/Treasury Gardens.
Updated Feb 15, 2011
Address: Fitzroy Gardens
Phone: no phone
Website: thatsmelbourne.com.au/PlacesToGo/CooksCottage/Pages/Cookscottage.aspx
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This was one of the places we were really keen to visit as it had been recommended by several people. It was within about a block of the free city circle tram so really easy to access. Entrance I thought was very reasonable at $5 each adult and the garden and house itself were both really well done and looked after. It was situated in a bigger Garden (Fitzroy Gardens) which made it a really peaceful place. Mind you we did enjoy watching all the AFL gear clad Melbournians trudging happily past on the way to the MCG for the Sunday afternoon game.
The Cottage itself has a very detailed historical write up as you walk through but I have attached a website that gives you some more details. If you are keen to purchase a small souvenier DONT do it as you buy the tickets wait until you go through the slightly larger gift shop at the end - much larger range of things.
Written May 9, 2009
Address: Fitzroy Gardens
Website: http://www.fitzroygardens.com/Cooks%20Cottage.htm
Well, I am not a fan of Captain Cook so I find the tour to Cook's Cottage is boring...
Just went to the park to check out the super small cottage that Captain Cook's once lived in...
Anyway, this was included as part of my Free City Tour package...
Written Sep 16, 2007
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As I was wandering through Fitzoy Gardens, I saw a cute little cottage and realized it was a place I could visit! It turned out to be Cook's Cottage - the home of Captain Cook's parents that was bought in Yorkshire, England and transported in 1934 where it was rebuilt in Fitzroy Gardens.
It only cost $4 (and I believe there were even less expensive concessions). There is a kitchen downstairs and it has pieces of the time period. Upstairs there is one large room and another small bedroom.
Once you explore the house, you can go out and look around the gardens. There are a couple of benches to sit and enjoy the gardens.
Then, there is a small gift shop if you want to get a little something to remind you of your visit.
If you are anywhere around Fitzroy Gardens, don't miss this cute little cottage!
Written Jun 8, 2005
Address: Fitzroy Gardens
Phone: none
Website: http://fitzroygardens.com
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This actually the cottage that Capt Cook lived in when he was a child so actually his parent's place. It was re-constructed here in 1934 after the whole thing was transported from it's original home in England. The cottage was originally constructed in 1755.
Written May 8, 2005
Address: Fitzeroy Gardens
Website: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au
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The original Cottage was built in 1755 by James and Grace Cook - the parents of the famous English navigator - Captain James Cook RN.
Purchased by Sir Russell Grimwade, in 1927, for 800 pounds, the Cottage was dismantled, numbered, sealed in cases, and then shipped to Victoria. Here the Cottage was re-assembled in the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, and presented to the people of Victoria by Sir Russell Grimwade to commemorate a century of European in Victoria (1934).
Written Apr 26, 2005
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This cottage was the home of James Cooks parents James and Grace Cook and it originally was built in the village of Great Ayton in 1755, 15 years before Captain Cook `discovered` Australia
above the door you can see JGC 1755 carved into the stone
in 1933 the cottage was bought for the people of Melbourne by Sir Russel Grimwade, he arranged for the cottage to be dismantled, shipped to Victoria, and re-assembled in Fitzroy Gardens as part of Victorias centennary celebrations in 1934
the cottage is tiny, even by English standards, and has been faithfully furnished with many original items, outside the garden is planted as it would have been in the 18th century, with an emphasis on fruit vegetables and herbs
Written Jan 8, 2005
Address: FITZROY GARDENS
Phone: 03 9419 4677
Website: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au
Captain Cook's Cottage is a national treasure. It must be the oldest building in Australia by technicality.
The building was fully transported from the mother country to melbourne and rebuilt brick by brick from the ground up.
The cottage is set inside Victoria Park, not far from the MCG or parliament house.
To enter the cottage the National Trust charges a small fee.
Written Mar 6, 2004
Address: Victoria Park
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Cooks Cottage was transported from England to Australia in 1933. It was Capt Cooks home and was presented to Victoria by Sir Russell Grimwade. There are many period features and it is surrounded by an authentic 18th century English cottage garden.
Updated Nov 21, 2002
Address: Fitzroy Gardens Lansdowne St East Melbourne
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Write a ReviewCooks Cottage was transported from England to Australia in 1933. It was Capt Cooks home and was presented to Victoria by Sir Russell Grimwade. There are many...
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