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7 reasons to visit Cape York — the northernmost point of Aus
Words Julija Zivanovic and Ian Glover Pics Matt Williams and Supplied
Sitting at the top of Queensland, Cape York is a must-visit location known for its warm climate, tropical rainforest and epic 4WD tracks. Read on to discover seven reasons to visit this perfect road trip destination.
The car park at The Tip (Credit: Allison Watt and Ray Oliver)
The northernmost point of the Australian continent, Cape York is the tip of the eponymous region in Queensland which covers approximately 140,000sq km and is a must-visit location for more reasons than just heading to ‘The Tip’.
Now, due to the wet and dry seasons at play in our country’s northern regions, the best time to visit Cape York is in the Dry from April to October. As you probably know we’re in the wet season now, but we have created this piece with preparation in mind, so we’ve given you plenty of time to plan your Cape York adventures come the dry season in a few short months should you decide to visit.
Whether you’re planning a week-long journey across to the Cape or plan to spend an extended amount of time exploring the area, this part of Australia offers incredible outdoor adventures in a subtropical climate, perfect for nature and beach lovers. Not to mention some of the best four-wheel driving in the country.
It was tough narrowing to down to just seven but keep reading as we give you seven fantastic reasons to visit the Cape.
History
There’s plenty to explore for history buffs in Cape York, especially when you consider places like Maytown, about halfway up the Cape. The local historical society at Maytown is doing a magical job of bringing the rich history to light, exposing the kerbing and guttering, and putting up plaques indicating where shops and pubs were in what was the main street.
Another place of note is, of course, Cooktown, where James Cook beached the Endeavour after it ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef. There’s also the town of Somerset where the Jardines created an outpost of colonial power.
More recent ‘must-sees’ are the graves of two telegraph linesmen who died on Moreton Telegraph Station, and the WWII radar installation on Mutee Head.
Four-wheel driving
Four-wheel driving in Cape York (Credit: Matt Williams)
Four-wheel drivers will definitely get an adrenaline rush on Frenchmans Track, the Old Telegraph Track (both southern and northern parts), and most of all, the Old Coach Road.
If you want to see nature at its sprawling grandness, we recommend tackling the infamous CREB Track. Please always check weather and road conditions before setting off on one of these tracks.
Nature
The incredible Fruit Bat Falls are found in Cape York (Credit: Matt Williams)
Cape York is absolute heaven for nature lovers. From incredible natural scenery to specific species of fauna, there is plenty to explore no matter how long you choose to visit.
If you want to see saltwater crocodiles in the wild, some of which are more than four metres in length, we recommend staying near Punsand Bay, right at Pajinka (The Tip).
Another fantastic spot is Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park — it’s popular for wildlife watching, and Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park is popular for birdwatching.
You can also learn about the fascinating ecology of the Daintree Rainforest by climbing into the canopy at the Daintree Discovery Centre, just up from Port Douglas.
A favourite of ours is the picturesque Fruit Bat Falls, offering incredible swimming in crystal-clear waters which can only be reached by 4WD if traversing the Old Telegraph Track South.
Photography
The beautiful Punsand Bay (Credit: Matt Williams)
The lush greenery of the Cape York region is a photographer’s delight. Some notable places for epic shots are Chili Beach in Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park and nearby Portland Roads. With its fringe of tall coconut palms, Chili Beach even looks good on an overcast day!
Traditional Owners
Quinkan Guguyalangi Gallery, the largest and most complex rock art collection at Split Rock (Credit: David Bristow)
Indigenous businesses offer many opportunities to experience the rich Aboriginal culture of the Cape, including the chance to camp for a few days at Silver Plains Station, near Port Stewart.
Lovers of Aboriginal art should put Laura on their itinerary, especially the famous Split Rock Gallery where one-hour tours can be arranged.
Fishing
Fishing at The Tip (Credit: Allison Watt and Ray Oliver)
Fishing and crabbing are good almost anywhere in this part of the country. Pick a spot, almost anywhere! The Cape York Peninsula boasts some of Australia’s best sports fishing, with barramundi high on the list of target species. As you’ll discover, it’s also just a great place to enjoy quiet and peaceful fishing.
The Tip
Hema Alpha Team Members #009 Jeremy Wilson and Isabelle Kranhold at The Tip
The most common reason for travellers visiting Cape York is, of course, to see the northernmost point of the Australian mainland, Pijinka, otherwise known as The Tip. After taking your obligatory photo at The Tip, we recommend spending some time exploring the nearby features of the area, such as Lockerbie Scrub, Somerset and laid-back Punsand Bay.
Grab your copy today!
The above is an edited extract from the Hema Cape York Atlas & Guide, a 5thEdition guidebook which provides extensive and up-to-date information on the whole Cape York region of Queensland, including 15 of the TOP 4WD trips and 22 atlas pages. It also features detailed national park and track inset maps — all field checked by the Hema Map Patrol — visitor information, history and culture, all the best campsites, trip planning tips and much more.
This easy-to-use guidebook takes the difficulty out of planning a Cape York trip. You can easily purchase the Hema Cape York Atlas & Guide from the Hema Maps website or from leading retailers.
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