Cape York

Cape York travel takes most visitors by surprise. A rugged, environmentally diverse region rich in culture, history and natural beauty, Cape York travel offers a myriad of unique and unforgettable outback experiences available nowhere else in Australia.

Cape York is larger than England and almost the size of the state of Victoria, covering a mighty 137,000 square kilometres – 11 million hectares - from Cooktown just North of Cairns to Seisia at the "tip" of Queensland Australia.

Cape York was the first part of Australia to be mentioned in written history and is one of the last accessible wilderness areas in the world.

Home to magnificent national parks, sacred Aboriginal sites, untouched beaches and dozens of the most awesome four-wheel-drive adventures in Australia, Cape York remains a land of few people with prolific wildlife living in rugged mountains, eucalypt, mangrove and rainforests, headlands, grasslands, swamps and mighty rivers.

Cape York Travel Things to Consider

The remote and untouched beauty of Cape York is reflected in the small airports and absence of sealed roads throughout the region. 4WD vehicles are the only road transport you should consider when travelling to Cape York. Find out about 4WD Hire

If you are not an experienced 4WD enthusiast we recommend you join a small, guided Cape York 4WD tour or a find a Cape York cruise/drive or fly/drive holiday package to ensure you enjoy a safe Cape York holiday. More Cape York travel packages

The Australian outback is a special place where the pace and culture of life can be quite different to what we’re used to – that’s why it’s so popular. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your Cape York and Torres Strait travel.

• Wet Season/Dry Season
• Permission & Camping
• Accommodation
• Maps
• Food Alcohol & Communication

Cape York travel is most common outside the monsoon season (i.e. in the ‘dry season’) from May – October as some roads become impassable due to heavy rains and flooding between November and April. The dry season is when Cape York 4WD tours and 4WD hire are most popular.

Some 4WD and fishing enthusiasts prefer to hire a 4WD and explore southern Cape York areas such as the Daintree and Cape Tribulation at their green, glorious best during the monsoon season from November and April.

Many Cape York roads cross private properties (usually indicated by gates and/or signs) called 'private holdings'. These are off limits to the public without prior arrangement.

Similarly many camping spots and accommodation areas throughout Cape York and the Torres Strait are protected by National Parks and/or Native Title legislation which prohibits people from staying without a permit. In some places visitors are not permitted at all and heavy penalties apply for ignorance or failure to comply with these rules.

Contact relevant land owners for permission before entering private holdings and always respect these areas. Camping and travel permits can be obtained from the relevant government department and/or indigenous shire councils and should be applied for well in advance of your Cape York travel because in some instances they can take several weeks to process.

Alternatively you can join an organised Cape York Tour or 4WD safari and let us take care of all the required permits so you can just relax and enjoy Cape York on the right side of the law. Our Cape York and Torres Strait tours have special permits allowing us to take you to places that are off limits to the public in Cape York and the Torres Strait.

Accommodation in Cape York and the Torres Strait is varied. In some places like The Daintree, Cape Tribulation, Cooktown, Weipa and Thursday Island there are several motels, resorts and accommodation properties to choose from. Cape York/Torres Strait cruise vessels have live aboard accommodation.

However for the most part, camping is the accommodation style of choice and necessity for travellers who want to see, touch, feel and experience Cape York in all its glory. Please see Permisssion & Camping above for more information or contact us for help booking Cape York tours and accommodation.

Plan your Cape York travel carefully with new maps and always pay attention to signs and guides en-route.

Look for maps detailing roads, rivers, camping areas, private lands, national park boundaries, prohibited areas and boundaries of Cape York and Torres Strait communities with government enforced alcohol restrictions. You can buy Cape York and Torres Strait maps from local newsagencies, RACQ, and relevant Queensland Government departments.

If you join an organised Cape York tour it is a good idea to bring a map on tour so you can mark and follow your journey then keep it to help you share stories of your Cape York adventure with friends back home.

Consider how much food you will need and how you are going to store it during your Cape York travel planning. In some areas ice and food availability is limited and the cost of food in remote Cape York and Torres Strait is often considerably higher than in Cairns.

Of course if you join a Cape York tour you won’t need to worry because your food will be provided or when possible we will take you to a place to buy meals.

Special rules apply to consuming and carrying alcohol within Cape York aboriginal community boundaries. Failure to comply with alcohol laws can bring heavy fines and penalties. Alcohol rules and restrictions vary town to town and in some places alcohol is totally banned. Call 1300 789 000 for specific details for the areas you are visiting.

UHF radio is the most popular and reliable method of communication for Cape York and Torres Strait travellers. Telstra 3G mobile network coverage is available surrounding major Cape York and Torres Strait towns but only to Telstra customers with blue tick regional approved handsets.

All of our Cape York tour vehicles, vessels and airplanes are equipped with the latest and most reliable communications equipment available making it even easier for you to jump aboard and enjoy your Cape York adventure with complete peace of mind.