Where to go
Welcome to the Cape, an immensely diverse region dotted with rugged national parks, pristine waterways, secluded beaches and rich Indigenous culture.
Every day is an adventure in Cape York. Go camping, fishing, four wheel driving, walk along the beach and discover the incredible Aboriginal and early European history. Cape York is somewhere that everyone must visit once in their lifetime.
Jack Colquhoun – Cape York Camping Punsand Bay
Cape York is Australia’s ultimate self-drive location – in fact, you’ll find more 4WDs here than anywhere else in the country. You’ll need one if you want to access most of the region as paved roads are a rarity, which adds to the sense of adventure. A 1200km strip of road connects Cairns with Cape York and will take about seven days to drive, visiting Cooktown, the Lockhart River, remote campsites and vast cattle stations.
There are more national parks in this region than anywhere else in Queensland. Spread over the central and eastern parts of the cape, they feature a range of diverse landscapes. Swim in the crystal-clear (and crocodile-free) waters of Twin Falls in Apudthama National Park (Jardine River National Park) at the northern edge of the cape, or spot waterbirds in the extensive wetlands of the vast Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park.
Cooktown is the capital of the Cape York region, a small coastal town about 330km north of Cairns. The town holds a significant place in Australian history, being the site of Captain James Cook’s first interaction with Indigenous people. After his ship Endeavour was crippled on a nearby reef, Cook and his crew spent 48 days here, during which time they made the first records of native fauna and Aboriginal words.
Cape York is also a bucket-list destination for anyone serious about fishing. The Wenlock River has the richest diversity of freshwater fish in the country, with some 48 species including the rare rainbow fish, fimbriate gudgeon, Buffon’s River garfish and freshwater sawfish, as well as barramundi and saratoga.
The culture here is a fascinating mix of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and the local communities have rich traditions dating back tens of thousands of years. Cape York is also the birthplace of the incredible Laura Dance Festival. More than 500 artists from 20 communities in the region attend this biennial Aboriginal performing arts festival, which attracts thousands of spectators from all over the world.
You need to properly prepare for four-wheel driving in Cape York. Make sure you pack extra supplies like fuel and water, always carry at least one spare tyre, and have some knowledge of basic maintenance. If you want to venture far off-road, a driving course could be a good idea. And always take crocodile warning signs seriously.
Spend the night at the most northern address in Australia at the Punsand Bay campsite. There are spectacular views up to the tip of Cape York and out over the Torres Strait Islands. You can watch the sun rise from the Coral Sea and set over the Arafura. This camping guide also provides fantastic information about camping in national parks.
Snorkel on some of the most isolated reefs in the country in the far northern tip of the Great Barrier Reef. These reefs are largely untouched, with excellent wall dives, pinnacles swarming with fish and huge coral heads. Thousands of green turtles can be found in these waters between November and December.
Travel consciously to keep Cape York beautiful and preserved for future generations. Respect the environment and area by taking any rubbish with you, only having fires in designated areas it is safe to so, consider leaving your pet behind, and ensuring that you are not illegally accessing private land. Read this guide for more ways to be a thoughtful traveller in Cape York.
Visit the northern tip of Australia and discover a land full of natural wonders, epic 4WD tracks, sensational fishing and secluded campsites.
Ready to tackle one of Australia’s most remote landscapes, Cape York? Just you, a car and 1,200km of untamed, World Heritage-listed, 180 million year-old rugged rainforest beauty – aka The Tip.
Where else but Cape York can you stand on the tip of Australia, discover the oldest forest in the world and travel on roads few even dare to tread? Just because Australia’s last frontier is calling, doesn’t mean you need to travel it alone.
For the adventure of a lifetime, without any of the ‘going solo’ stress, join one of these guided Cape York tours.
Welcome to Cooktown, the Tropical North Queensland town whose history and heritage draws 25,000 visitors to it each year.
Refresh yourself in nature’s swimming pools, sliding into these waterfalls and waterholes across Cooktown and Cape York.
Craving sun, sand and salty air? There’s plenty of beautiful beaches to explore in Cooktown. With nothing but wide-open space, it’s easy to let your mind and adventurous spirit wander here.
Discover what true connection to country feels like at a 20,000-year-old Aboriginal rock art gallery with Jarramali Rock Art Tours. Fly in via a scenic helicopter or jump in a 4WD with a Traditional Owner guide for the full overnight experience.
Cairns to Cape York is an angler’s Nirvana: a pristine environment that is both challenging and inspiring. With the largest diversity of fish species in Australia and the ability to fish all year round, a visit to Tropical North Queensland should be on everyone’s bucket-list.
Considering exploring is in Cooktown’s DNA, you’ll want to spend a night or two in the capital of Cape York to discover what’s on offer for yourself. This Cooktown accommodation guide will help you choose your perfect home away from home.
The drive to Cape York is an iconic Australian adventure. Craig Tansley ticks this epic journey off his bucket list on a tag-a-long tour with Adventure Trek and Tours.
If you’re looking for the ultimate national park experience, there’s no better place in the world than the tip of Australia. With ten national or regional parks to choose from, here’s a closer look at three of the most popular.
We’ve rounded up the top reasons why you need to get your ship together and get on the MV Trinity Bay to Cape York and the Torres Strait Islands.
From scenic flights over the Great Barrier Reef and the tropical rainforest to flying to an ancient aboriginal rock art site or undertaking an epic helicopter pub crawl, take to the sky on your Tropical North Queensland adventure.
Tropical North Queensland is the only region in Australia with two distinct Indigenous cultures, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Connect with these ancient cultures 60,000 years in the making.
Cape Tribulation to Cooktown
Drive the beautiful and wild Bloomfield Track from Cape Tribulation to Cooktown – a bucket-list drive for all 4WD enthusiasts.
View itineraryCairns to Cape York
Got a heightened sense of adventure and want to take it all the way to the top (of Australia)? Jump into a 4WD and head off on an unforgettable journey from Cairns to Cape York.
View itinerarySkytrans connects Cairns with the main communities on Cape York and the Torres Strait Islands and offers the most diverse route options. REX Regional Express also operates a service from Cairns to Bamaga and Qantaslink offers daily return flights from Cairns to Weipa. Daintree Air Services offers scenic tours and charter flights between Cairns, Cooktown, Lizard Island and the tip of Australia.
Self-drive or hire a car. Two-wheel drive vehicles can enjoy sealed roads on the inland route to Cooktown via the Mulligan Highway. The Peninsula Development Road (PDR) is also sealed all the way from Lakeland to Laura. A four-wheel drive vehicle is required to journey north of Laura or hop on a tag-a-long tour and let a guide do all the hard work for you.
Trans North Bus & Coach operate three services weekly between Cairns and Cooktown via the Great Barrier Reef Drive and the Bloomfield Track in Cape Tribulation. They also operate three services weekly on the inland route via the Mulligan Highway.
Cruise ship to Cooktown. Or take the cargo ship MV Trinity Bay all the way along the coastline. You’ll cruise 1,000km in azure-blue waters along the Great Barrier Reef on a vessel destined for the northernmost point of Australia. A stunning, unique, bucket-list experience like no other. Why not put your 4WD on the vessel heading north, and drive back to Cairns through Cape York – an untamed wilderness that has to be seen to be believed.
Where to put your feet up after a day of adventure.
We’re back in Cape York again with some stunning coastal views ☀️🌴 It’s not every day you get to see the rugged outback looking this good 🙌
📸 @wunez #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Freshwater swimming at the tip of @australia is pretty epic 🙌💦 Welcome to one of the most famous Cape York waterfalls, Fruit Bat Falls 😍
📸 @hayley.coleman #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
When you've been driving through the bush for days, it can be easy to mistake Twin Falls in #CapeYork for a mirage 😯 But like @tickerofftouring discovered, this waterfall near the tip of @australia is as real as they come & a great place ...
Found only in Cape York and parts of New Guinea the palm cockatoo is a unique cousin of the white cockatoos we’re all used to seeing around @tropicalnorthqueensland 🦜🌴 Did you know that Palm Cockatoos are one of the few bird species known to ...
It doesn’t get much better than this 🤩
Discover the coloured sand cliffs at #ElimBeach, the stretch of seaside which hugs the coastline northeast of Cooktown 🏝 This beach is popular with families travelling with a 4WD for good reason...
Ever been to Eliot Falls in Cape York? If you’re planning a trip to The Tip this season then don’t forget to check it out! 🌴🏜
📸 @wanderessofoz #explorecairnsGBR #exploreTNQ #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
You've heard #CapeYork as a bucket-list 4WD journey, but have you considered heading to The Tip on a motorbike? 🏍This ultimate adventure with @capeyorkmotorcycles is the trip to do if you like to push the boundaries, get the adrenaline ...
When you think of #Cooktown, is this what you imagine? 🌺😍
Welcome to a town whose history & heritage draws thousands of visitors each year. If you find yourself yearning to explore, chart your course with this guide to 10 things to...
You might not have realised, but you could be waking up in paradise on your #CapeYork adventure 🌴 Found just 10 minutes from the stunning #ChilliBeach, @thetemplecapeyork offers an off-grid, isolated getaway 😌☀️ This is the perfect ...
What are these two pairs of cocka-twos up to? They certainly make a motley two🤔
Did you know that Palm Cockatoos are one of the few bird species known to use tools? We wouldn’t have had two clues 😮 These black parrots have a very ...
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