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 one of the world’s oldest rainforests 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 itineraryCape York & Torres Strait
You’re here for a good time not a long time, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on one of Australia’s most remote and bucket-list regions. Here’s how to take in some of the sights of Cape York and the Torres Strait Islands in only three days.
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.
From races and rodeos to spectacular cultural displays, there’s no shortage of exciting events throughout Cooktown and Cape York
A marathon from Bamaga to the northernmost point of Australia’s mainland!
What do the locals get up to in #CapeYork when it rains? Keep watching to find out 🤔🌴
🎥 @lauren.fisher._ #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
[ID: Group of friends travelling to a beach in Cape York on a small boat. The beach has red dirt cliff faces and clear waters. There is small waterfalls running off the cliff.]
![What do the locals get up to in #CapeYork when it rains? Keep watching to find out 🤔🌴
🎥 @lauren.fisher._ #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
[ID: Group of friends travelling to a beach in Cape York on a small boat. The beach has red dirt cliff faces and clear waters. There is small waterfalls running off the cliff.]](https://tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Ever wondered what it’s like to fly over the @gbrmarinepark at @lizardisland? 🐠✈️
🎥 @swaindest #exploreTNQ #exploreCairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
[ID: aerial video from the window seat under the wing of a small plane with views of bright blue water off the coast of Lizard Island in Cape York and the Great Barrier Reef]
Throwback to last Cape York season! 🚗🙌
While this beauty might not be accessible by road just yet, we’re eagerly awaiting some winter road trips 🌴
Who’s heading to Cape York this year? Drop us a comment 👇
🎥 @all.about.adventure #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #capeyork #roadtrips
While the #CapeYork season might be finished for this year, we’re still loving all the incredible photos from your adventures up north 🙌🚙
This might be one of the most scenic accommodation spots in Cape York, with everything from lush rainforest to beaches, ATVs, jet skis fishing, helicopter tours and more (this is just the start of the list!) 🌴
Will we see you at @thetemplecapeyork next year? 🤔
📸 @allards.across.oz #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
Some might say welcome to the jungle, we just say welcome to @tropicalnorthqueensland 😍🌴 Point your compass north & discover #CapeTribulation, the place where two World Heritage areas collide, the @gbrmarinepark & @wettropicsworldheritage 🌊🍃
Not sure what to do? We’ve got you covered! Explore the depths of the Daintree Rainforest & learn about the Kuku Yalanji people with @walkaboutculturaladventures before setting out with @oceansafaricapetrib to discover the marine gardens of Mackay & Undine Reefs. Round off your adventure with a campfire on the beach & a relaxing night sleeping amongst the rainforest 🏕
📸 @theverticalpixel #explorecairnsGBR #exploreTNQ #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
There’s no doubt you’ll feel fully refreshed after a dip in the crystal clear waters of #EmmagenCreek ✨🌿 Grab your swimmers & your snorkel to discover the beauty of the @wettropicsworldheritage rainforest 🙌
To get here, drive 15mins north of #CapeTribulation & take the short 5min track upstream just before the Emmagen Creek road crossing 🚙☀️
📸 @takeus_withyou #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR
We`re not done with the @gbrmarinepark spam just yet 😌 Just off the coast of the ancient rainforests of #CapeTribulation you`ll find #MackayCay 🐠🌿 A short 25 min journey with @oceansafaricapetrib & voila! You`ll be snorkelling incredible reef & chilling on this amazing sand cay. Word on the street is that you`re nearly guaranteed to spot turtles here 🐢🤿 Absolute. Total. Bliss ⛵️💙
📸 @trentjohnmartin #thisisqueensland #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #seeaustralia
The many moods of @portdouglasdaintree 🌿🌙
You’ll feel like you`ve entered Jurassic Park when you experience the prehistoric beauty of this spectacular, lush rainforest 🦖🌴 Find where the rainforest meets the reef, mountains scrape the sky & life moves more slowly ✨ Take a break from the city & connect with incredible @wettropicsworldheritage listed nature as you`ve never imagined in the #DaintreeRainforest & #CapeTribulation 💚
📸 @saltywings #exploreTNQ #seeaustralia #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland
Every wondered what it`s like to spend a few days in @portdouglasdaintree? 🌴✨Here`s how to spend your weekend exploring the natural attractions of of the tropics 👇
Some beaches have a different vibe in @tropicalnorthqueensland, like #ThorntonBeach at #CapeTribulation 🏝 You can get some pretty incredible views of this spot right from your car seat, but the true beauty of this beach comes when you take your first step onto the sand, with breathtaking views of the eye-catching Struck Island & Thornton Peak 🐚
Set sail on the open waters with @sailawayportdouglas & discover stunning sand cays, colourful coral reefs & unbelievable tropical sunsets, plus some friendly marine life ☀️🥂
Cool off in one of the many water holes, like Mason`s Swimming Hole or Emmagen Creek, or take a stroll along a rainforest boardwalks around the Daintree 🍃
Not to mention there`s a huge selection of rainforest activities & tours to choose from in the area 🌴 Maybe a croc spotting cruise if you’re up for it? 🐊
📸 @taylorws #seeaustralia #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #exploreTNQ
Science tip: you can tell the difference between an alligator & a crocodile by paying close attention to whether it sees you later or in a while 🐊👋 This magnificent beast was spotted hanging out just off the coast of the #CapeTribulation in @portdouglasdaintree 🌿✨
You can spot crocs for yourself on a wildlife tour like @solar_whisper, or if outdoor wildlife encounters aren’t your cup of tea, get a photo with a local at @hartleyscrocodileadventures 📸 Peer into the life of @rainforestation`s 5 metre monster, Jack the Ripper 😱 Maybe even fly over @cairnszoom`s resident croc, Goliath 🐊🍃
📸 @tribegonetravelling #seeaustralia #thisisqueensland #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR
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