Cape York Peninsula

Introducing Cape York Peninsula

The overland pilgrimage to Cape York Pen­insula – the tip of Australia – is simply one of the greatest 4WD routes on the continent. This is one of the most untamed, primeval and lonesome areas of Australia, where clouds of red dust signal approaching vehicles and you’ll drive many kilometres on corrugated roads to reach the next ‘town’, usually an isolated roadhouse. While reaching the tip is an exhilarating effort, many of the highlights of this journey are found in the changing landscapes of the seasons and the detours, planned and unexpected. Along the way you’ll encounter big crocs, vehicle- and character-testing roads, tropical rainforests and wetlands to rival Kakadu with their rich bird life.

If you’re driving to the top, you’ll need preparation and a 4WD. The ideal set-up is to go in companion vehicles: two 4WDs travelling together so one can haul the other out of trouble if necessary. The HEMA maps Cape York and Lakefield National Park, and the RACQ (www.racq.com.au) maps Cairns/Townsville and Cape York Peninsula are the best. Of the numerous books about the peninsula, Ron and Viv Moon’s Cape York – an Adventurer’s Guide is the most comprehensive. Linda Rowe’s Paradise Found: A Cape York Adventure is an entertaining yarn. Lonely Planet’s Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef guide is also good. Don’t expect mobile-phone coverage while travelling in the cape’s unspoilt frontiers.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009