Cooks' Cottage is a 1755 family home in Fitzroy Gardens, East Melbourne, built in Yorkshire by James and Grace Cook, Captain James Cook’s parents. The cottage was dismantled in England and rebuilt in Melbourne in 1934. Inside, period furnishings fill the kitchen, dining room and bedrooms, giving a glimpse of domestic life in the 18th century. Cook himself did not live here. Pair the visit with a walk through the gardens, where paths and flower beds offer a quieter change of pace.
A home built by the Cook family
James and Grace Cook built the cottage in 1755 in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire. Their son James became the Pacific navigator Captain James Cook. The family connection explains the building’s name, but the cottage was not Captain Cook’s own home: he did not live here.
The modest two-storey house gives a sense of the domestic setting in which his parents lived. Its place in Melbourne also connects the family story to the city’s gardens and public spaces.
From Yorkshire to Fitzroy Gardens
The cottage was dismantled in England and transported to Melbourne, where it was rebuilt in Fitzroy Gardens in 1934. Its bricks and other parts made the journey across the world, allowing the original building to be reassembled in the city.
Russell Grimwade purchased the cottage and donated it to the people of Melbourne. The move was part of the city’s centenary commemorations. The building is often identified as Australia’s oldest, a distinction tied to its 1755 construction date.
Rooms and period furnishings
Inside, the kitchen, dining room and bedrooms are furnished with period pieces and objects. Walking from room to room gives the visit its focus: the scale and arrangement of the interiors offer a look at everyday life in an 18th-century home.
Guides in period costume explain the cottage and its history. A guided visit can add context to the furnishings and to the story of how a Yorkshire family home came to stand in Melbourne.
The cottage in Fitzroy Gardens
Cooks' Cottage sits among the paths and planted areas of Fitzroy Gardens. The garden setting makes it easy to include the house in a longer walk, with time outdoors before or after seeing the rooms.
The visit is suited to travellers interested in local history and the Cook family connection. It also works for families, with an accessible entrance and parking listed among the site’s facilities.
FAQ
Did Captain James Cook live at Cooks' Cottage?
No. The cottage was built by his parents, James and Grace Cook. Captain James Cook did not live there.
When was Cooks' Cottage built?
James and Grace Cook built it in 1755 in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire.
How did the cottage get to Melbourne?
It was dismantled in England, transported to Melbourne and rebuilt in Fitzroy Gardens in 1934.
What can you see inside Cooks' Cottage?
The kitchen, dining room and bedrooms contain period furnishings and objects that give a sense of 18th-century domestic life.
How long should I allow for a visit?
Allow around 30 to 60 minutes for the cottage, with extra time if you plan to walk through Fitzroy Gardens.
