Cape York, view from top of Australia

Where to go

Cooktown & Cape York

Cape York is the Very Tip of Australia

Traditional Owners of the land at Pajinka at The Tip have worked together with Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) and will continue to welcome visitors to The Tip. Visitors are required to pay a $10 per person fee at the Jardine River. Guests must respect the area and ensure it remains a place of significance for future generations. Find out more about how to be a conscious traveller in Cape York. 

 

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 Roadtrip

THE DRIVE OF A LIFETIME

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.

Plan your trip

fruit bat falls Jardine River National Park cape york

PARK LIFE

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.

Cape York’s National Parks

 A SLICE OF HISTORY

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.

Things to do in Cooktown

Fishing rods on beach at sunset

AN ANGLERS’ PARADISE

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.

Fishing from Cairns to Cape York

Indigenous dancers perform at the Laura Dance Festival

CRADLE OF CULTURE

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.

Indigenous Cultures

Tips

  • 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.

Discover More

Visit the northern tip of Australia and discover a land full of natural wonders, epic 4WD tracks, sensational fishing and secluded campsites.

Punsand Bay Cape York
Cape York
Cape York is calling: Planning a trip to The Tip

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.

Read more
Cape York
No car, no worries – try these Cape York Tours

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.

Read more
Grassy Hill Cooktown
Cape York
8 things to do in Cooktown

Welcome to Cooktown, the Tropical North Queensland town whose history and heritage draws 25,000 visitors to it each year.

Read more
Twin Falls Cape York
Cape York
8 Cooktown and Cape York waterfalls to discover

Refresh yourself in nature’s swimming pools, sliding into these waterfalls and waterholes across Cooktown and Cape York.

Read more
aerial image of elim beach
Cape York
Add these beautiful Cooktown beaches to your bucket list

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.

Read more
Jarramali Rock Art Tours
Cape York
Experience an incredible Aboriginal rock art tour

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.

Read more
fishing pajinka article tile
Cape York
Fishing from Cairns to Cape York

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.

Read more
Cape York
Cooktown accommodation guide

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.

Read more
punsand bay termite mounds cape york
Cape York
Cape York’s big three national parks

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.

Read more
Cargo ship
Cape York
Cargo ship your way to Cape York and the Torres Strait Islands

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.

Read more
Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight
Uncategorised
Top Scenic Flights

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.

Read more
Island Stars Dance Troupe performing on the beach at Prince of Wales Island in the Torres Strait
Indigenous Culture
Ways to connect with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander cultures

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.

Read more
Grassy Hill Cooktown

Getting here

  • Sky trans aircraft in Cape York

    By air

    Skytrans 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.

  • Car driving on dirt road in Cape York

    By car

    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.

  • Bus

    By bus

    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.

  • Boat to Cape York

    By ship

    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.

Stay

Where to put your feet up after a day of adventure.

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR

Take it all the way to the top with the dusty, red roads in Cape York 🚘🌴

🎥 @olivethetroopy 
#exploretnq #explorecairnsgbr #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #roadtrip #capeyork 
[ID: An aerial video of a 4WD driving down a long dirt road with australian bush on either side in Cape York.]
Channel your inner mermaid and make waves on the @gbrmarinepark 🧜‍♀️🌊
 
From colourful corals to curious fish, this reef is reel-ly a dream come true! 🐠✨  

📍 @lizardisland 
 
🎥 @sirenandseafarer #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #greatbarrierreef #capeyork

[ID: woman wearing flowing mermaid tail swimming in front of sailboat in bright blue waters off the coast of Lizard Island in Cape York]
Hey stop scrolling for a second and check out this #CapeYork highlight reel 🚙💫

🎥 @mizandtom.travels #exploretnq #explorecairnsgbr #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #roadtrip #drive

[ID: highlight reel of road trip to Cape York including creek crossings, 4WDing, camping, waterfalls and beaches.]
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.]
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

Book now and save big!

Book your holiday to Tropical North Queensland and save up to 20% off on hotels, tours and more!