Cape York, Queensland

Eliot Falls (Twin Falls), Jardine River National Park, Cape York Cape York and the Gulf Savannah in Tropical North Queensland are truly the last Australian frontier. Located on the northernmost tip of Australia, Cape York Peninsula is a wild and sparsely populated wilderness area that is only accessible during the dry months from April to December.

Cape York’s rugged coastline points towards Papua New Guinea while the eastern side of Cape York is fringed by the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef.

The seemingly undeveloped land of Cape York will surprise and delight. The dusty tracks contrast dramatically with the abundant rivers, crystal clear creeks and spectacular waterfalls. This is a vast area of unexplored wilderness, magnificent national parks, sacred Aboriginal sites, unexplored rainforest, rugged mountains and swampy marshlands. This is a land of climatic extremes where the creeks run dry or ten feet high.

If you love bushwalking, four-wheel driving, wildlife, fishing, birdwatching or camping then Cape York is the place for you. The Cape York region is one of the largest wilderness areas in the world that remains relatively untouched, maintaining its original beauty and diversity.

You'll be amazed by the 40,000 year old tradition and culture of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders - Australia's Indigenous people. See the unique wildlife including kangaroos and the unusual dugongs. With all this untamed beauty the area offers an escape from the manmade pressures of the city.

You can discover Cape York in a variety of ways. Travel by 4WD to the very tip of Australia or cruise the blue waters of the Torres Strait. Trek to ancient Aboriginal Rock Art sites at Quinkan Rock Art Reserve, where thousands of years of Aboriginal culture have been recorded in ochre and clay paintings.

and clay paintings.

Articles

Islands of the Torres Strait

The Torres Strait is made up of over 100 islands north of Cape York, the most northerly point of Australia, with Thursday Island being its most famous centre of indigenous heritage. Time is well spent exploring the dazzling turquoise waters dotted with islands, coral cays, exposed sandbanks and reefs. more

National parks

There are sizeable national parks on the peninsula, including Lakefield, Rokeby and Archer Bend, Iron Range (which contains the largest area of lowland rainforest in Australia) and Jardine River. Some areas can be reached only in the dry season.

Varied terrain

The Cape's 11 million hectares cover mountain ranges, rainforests, eucalypt and mangrove forests, woodlands, heaths, grasslands, swamps and rivers, extending from about 160 kilometres north of Cairns. more

Experiences/Activities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander:
Adventure:
Beach:
Caravan and Camping:
Cruise:
Flora/Fauna:
Indulgence/Luxury:
Industry/Mining/Agriculture:
Island:
Marine:
Nature based:
Outback:
Rainforest:
Reef:
Wildlife:
Animal Viewing:
Birdwatching:
Bush Tucker:
Caravan and Camping:
Canoeing:
Fishing - Beach:
Fishing - Deep Sea:
Fishing - Estuary:
Fishing - Fly:
Fishing - Game:
Off Road Driving:
Prospecting:
Sailing:
Scenic Flights:
Scuba-Diving:
Self-Guided:
Snorkelling:
Swimming:

Cape York, Queensland

Articles

Islands of the Torres Strait

National parks

Varied terrain

Experiences/Activities

Tropical North region directory

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Region Information

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Tropical North Weather

Cape York and the Gulf Savannah in Tropical North Queensland are truly the last Australian frontier. Located on the northernmost tip of Australia, Cape York Peninsula is a wild and sparsely populated wilderness area that is only accessible during the dry months from April to December. Cape York’s rugged coastline points towards Papua New Guinea while the eastern side of Cape York is fringed by the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef. The seemingly undeveloped land of Cape York will surprise and delight. The dusty tracks contrast dramatically with the abundant rivers, crystal clear creeks and spectacular waterfalls. This is a vast area of unexplored wilderness, magnificent national parks, sacred Aboriginal sites, unexplored rainforest, rugged mountains and swampy marshlands. This is a land of climatic extremes where the creeks run dry or ten feet high. If you love bushwalking, four-wheel driving, wildlife, fishing, birdwatching or camping then Cape York is the place for you. The Cape York region is one of the largest wilderness areas in the world that remains relatively untouched, maintaining its original beauty and diversity. You'll be amazed by the 40,000 year old tradition and culture of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders - Australia's Indigenous people. See the unique wildlife including kangaroos and the unusual dugongs. With all this untamed beauty the area offers an escape from the manmade pressures of the city. You can discover Cape York in a variety of ways. Travel by 4WD to the very tip of Australia or cruise the blue waters of the Torres Strait. Trek to ancient Aboriginal Rock Art sites at Quinkan Rock Art Reserve, where thousands of years of Aboriginal culture have been recorded in ochre and clay paintings. and clay paintings.
Articles Islands of the Torres Strait The Torres Strait is made up of over 100 islands north of Cape York, the most northerly point of Australia, with Thursday Island being its most famous centre of indigenous heritage. Time is well spent exploring the dazzling turquoise waters dotted with islands, coral cays, exposed sandbanks and reefs. more National parks There are sizeable national parks on the peninsula, including Lakefield, Rokeby and Archer Bend, Iron Range (which contains the largest area of lowland rainforest in Australia) and Jardine River. Some areas can be reached only in the dry season. Varied terrain The Cape's 11 million hectares cover mountain ranges, rainforests, eucalypt and mangrove forests, woodlands, heaths, grasslands, swamps and rivers, extending from about 160 kilometres north of Cairns. more
Experiences/Activities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: Adventure: Beach: Caravan and Camping: Cruise: Flora/Fauna: Indulgence/Luxury: Industry/Mining/Agriculture: Island: Marine: Nature based: Outback: Rainforest: Reef: Wildlife: Animal Viewing: Birdwatching: Bush Tucker: Caravan and Camping: Canoeing: Fishing - Beach: Fishing - Deep Sea: Fishing - Estuary: Fishing - Fly: Fishing - Game: Off Road Driving: Prospecting: Sailing: Scenic Flights: Scuba-Diving: Self-Guided: Snorkelling: Swimming: