Cape York, or 'The Tip' as it is commonly referred to, is a land of incredible contrasts, from national park wilderness areas to grazing properties, Aboriginal culture, breathtaking beaches and waterfalls. Cape York covers an area of 207,000 sq kms and has a population of around 15,000.
Access to Cape York is by 4WD vehicle, boat and aircraft and in many ways, the region is still a remote frontier. Road travel can be a long and arduous experience and it is vital that anyone embarking on a trip up north, be well prepared.
The best time to travel to the Cape is between May and November. During the wet season (November - March), the roads are impassable. The condition of the roads changes continually as the rains cause erosion and the roads are usually corrugated. The further north you go, creek crossings become more common and challenging and by the time you return from 'The Tip', you will be something of a dab hand in water crossings.
It is very important to carry spare parts, repair equipment, a winch and a first aid kit. Access to fuel supplies is becoming less of a problem throughout the Cape. On the main road, 390 kms is the longest stretch between refuelling points at Archer River Roadhouse and to Bamaga at the top.
Banking facilities are limited apart but there are facilities in Cooktown, Weipa and Thursday Island.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service is used for medical emergencies. There are hospitals in Cooktown, Weipa, Bamaga and a clinic in Laura.
The colorful islands of Torres Strait including Thursday Island have an almost Carribbean flavor. The Northern Peninsula Area or the NPA as it is known locally, has a similar personality and a colloquial language, Cape York Creole, is spoken here.
Worthy places to visit in Cape York include the bauxite mine at Weipa, the township of Weipa itself (often described as an 'oasis in the wilderness') and Thursday Island. Rich in history, Thursday Island and nearby Horn Island are fascinating places to visit, though bear in mind, they are working islands and a bit rough around the edges.
The old colonial town of Somerset, near Albany Passage, was the home of Captain John Jardine, one of the first settlers and provides an insight into the pioneering days. Some World War II relics including the wreck of a DC3, can be found near Bamaga. Bamaga is the largest Islander community on the northern Cape with facilities including a hospital, general store and service station, but no camping ground.
The Quinkan Country near Laura is rich with Aboriginal sandstone paintings and in the south of Lakefield National Park, the remains of the old Laura Homestead are a monument to the hardships endured by the early graziers.
Accommodation is fairly limited in Cape York, particularly at the top end. Interesting places to stay include Pajinka Wilderness Lodge which is operated by the Injinoo Aboriginal community and is about as far north as it's possible to be. There is a regular ferry service from Pajinka to Thursday Island. The Lotus Bird Lodge at Princess Charlottle Bay offers quality accommodation in a wonderfully isolated spot.
There is a selection of camping grounds at the Top End, including the Punsand Bay Private Reserve, Umagico camping ground and the Seisia camping ground.
Cooktown has a range of accommodation available from hotels and resorts to b&bs and caravan parks.
Aboriginal Reserves cover most of the land north of the Jardine River and a camping fee is charged by all communities. Fishing in Cape York is brilliant, but bear in mind that estuarine crocodiles (salties) inhabit many of the waterways in Cape York.
There are several 4WD camping tours available and most visit Cooktown, Weipa, Thursday Island and trek through the Old Telegraph Track. Most depart from Port Douglas or Cairns.
