Highlights

4WDriving
Historic Towns
National Parks
Waterfalls
Beaches
Wildlife
Fishing

Cairns to Cape York

How
Distance Where Date
4WD
1,432km (One Way) Cairns to Cape York May to October

Got a heightened sense of adventure and want to take it all the way to the top (of Australia)? Jump into a 4WD and
head off on an unforgettable journey from Cairns to Cape York, via Cooktown. Along the way, you can be challenged
with creek crossings and corrugations, experience culture in communities, come across relics of wartime history
and be on the look out for unique and elusive Cape York wildlife. It’s a journey that will stay with you for a lifetime.

DAY ONE – Cairns to Cooktown

327km, 4hrs
When driving to Cooktown from Cairns, there are two equally alluring options (flip a coin if you can’t decide). The first
route travels through scenic Kuranda. Check out the famous markets or have a bite at a cool outdoor cafe. If you’re
interested in knowing more about the local Djabugay people, drop into the Visitor Information Centre that holds
Indigenous artefacts and sells local artists’ works and books on the region.

Leaving Kuranda, travel onto Mareeba, the largest town on the Atherton Tablelands, boasting sunshine 300 days a
year. The region grows 70% of Australia’s coffee crop – you can admire coffee and tea antiquities at the Coffee
World Experience at Coffee Works or try locally produced coffee at Skybury. The alternate route from Cairns follows
the coastal Captain Cook Highway, along the Great Barrier Reef drive.

Detour into the coastal resort town of Port Douglas, or travel on to the stunning rainforest enveloped Mossman
Gorge. From Mossman Gorge, you can head up the range to Julatten and Mount Molloy before joining the Mulligan
Highway to continue onto Cooktown.

OPTIONAL DETOUR – QUINKAN ROCK ART SITES, LAURA

If you’re heading up to Cooktown via the Mulligan Highway, take a detour at Lakeland to Laura and the world-
renowned Quinkan Rock Art Sites (sealed road, 45 mins one-way). This collection of rock art is listed by
UNESCO as one of the top ten rock art sites in the world.

See more itineraries at: tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/plan-your-trip/roadtrips

 You can explore Split Rock or Giant Horse Gallery on the way yourself, or for an immersive cultural
experience, book an overnight tour with Jarramali Rock Art Tours. Here, you’ll camp on an incredible
sandstone escarpment and visit an exclusive rock art gallery featuring 20,000 year-old paintings.

Jarramali Rock Art Tours

Quinkan Rock Art Sites

DAY TWO – Cooktown

Spend a day exploring Cooktown’s multitude of charms. The heritage buildings, museums and monuments form a
fascinating streetscape that reflects the town’s rich and colourful history. In 1770, Captain James Cook ran the HMB
Endeavour aground on the Great Barrier Reef, forcing him and his crew to spend 48 days in Cooktown. The cannon
and anchor from the ship were retrieved from the reef in the 1970s and can now be viewed at the Cooktown
Museum on Helen Street. Learn about the local Guugu Yimithirr people and how the little old man, descendent of the
Waymburr Clan initiated the first recorded act of reconciliation back in 1770.

Wander around the Cooktown Botanic Gardens, one of Queensland’s oldest regional gardens dating back to 1878.
The gardens showcase five major plant collections including a showcase of rare and threatened plant and species
utilised by Indigenous Traditional Owners. Then wander through the Nature’s Powerhouse complex, which features
the Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery, home to a collection of regional botanical illustrations, exhibition spaces and a
cafe.

Finish the day by watching a Tropical North Queensland sunset (they’re pretty spectacular) from Grassy Hill. You’ll
be following in the footsteps of esteemed company: Captain James Cook and crew from the Endeavour climbed the
hill in 1770 to assess safe passage through the reef.

STAY
A range of accommodation in Cooktown is available. Campers and caravanners might like to try one of the four
caravan parks in town. For something a little more luxe, motel and resort accommodation is also available.

DAY THREE – Cooktown to Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park

170km, 2.5hrs
After leaving Cooktown, head towards Hope Vale, and follow the signs to Rinyirru. Along the way you will pass
Isabella Falls, where you can cool off in the inviting water. Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park has a rich and diverse
landscape. In the north grasslands and woodlands, wetlands, coastal estuaries, mangroves and mudflats are
prominent. In the south, sandstone hills and escarpments dominate the landscape.

There are a vast array of campsites to choose from within the park, but make sure you book in advance.

OPTIONAL DETOUR – OPTIONAL DETOUR- ELIM BEACH

Head through the Indigenous township of Hope Vale to Cape Bedford and Elim Beach. Drive along the beach
to the coloured sand cliffs.

DAY FOUR – Rinyirru (Lakefield) to Coen

216km, 2.5hrs
As you travel north today, keep your eye out for massive termite mounds and abundant bird life. After reaching the
Peninsula Development Road (PDR), hang a right and head to Coen, a small town situated in the centre of the Cape
York region. Stay in town, enjoy a meal and a cold drink at the Exchange Hotel or continue on a few kilometres to
reach The Bend, a free bush campsite.

To get rid of the day’s dust, jump into the shallow waters of the Coen River.

See more itineraries at: tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/plan-your-trip/roadtrips

DAY FIVE – Coen to Bramwell Station
226km, 3hrs
Today is another scenic drive and you will even encounter sections of bitumen! Head North to the Archer River
roadhouse for a hearty breakfast. After leaving Archer River, cross the Wenlock River to find Moreton Telegraph
Station. Take a stroll and perhaps you will spot an agile wallaby, a palm cockatoo or the magnificent riflebird. Push
on to Bramwell Station, a popular tourist spot which includes accommodation, camping ground, bar and live
entertainment.

OPTIONAL DETOUR – WESTERN CAPE OR EASTERN CAPE

Head to the Western Cape and visit the coastal town of Weipa, rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Enjoy stunning beaches, unspoilt wilderness and unrivalled fishing! Or, alternatively, head over to the East
Coast of Cape York to Portland Roads, Chilli Beach, Iron Range National Park and Lockhart River. Portland
Roads is a great base for birdwatching and fishing, while the Aboriginal community of Lockhart River is
famous for its vibrant artwork.

If you’re itching for some extra time on the road, why not try both?

DAY SIX – Bramwell Station to The Tip

238km, 4hrs
The Old Telegraph Track forms the western boundary of Heathlands Resources Reserve and Apudthama National
Park (Jardine River National Park). While you could take the bypass roads that skirt around water crossings between
the Junction and the Jardine, why would you? That’s the fun part – even though the Gunshot Creek crossing is
considered extremely challenging.

Make a pit-stop at Fruit Bat Falls , Twin Falls or Elliot Falls, all scenic spots for a picnic and refreshing swim. To cross
the Jardine, head west and take the vehicular ferry.

Drop in at Seisia (pronounced “say see ya”) near Bamaga to check out what locals reckon is Australia’s best fishing
jetty, or continue to Punsand Bay. This spot is just 5km west of The Tip. Still, it can take up to 45 minutes to drive
this final stretch to mainland Australia’s northernmost point. Once you’re there, you’ll need to take the iconic photo
with the “You Are Standing at the Northernmost Point of the Australian Continent” sign. Try and arrive at low tide, as
the walk to the sign only takes 10 minutes across the sand (it’s about 30 minutes over rocks at high tide).

Stay
There are several options for accommodation at the Tip of Cape York including camping and motel accommodation.
Try the beachside Cape York Camping Punsand Bay, offering every level of comfort, from beachfront cabins with
ensuites to unpowered bush camping sites.

OPTIONAL DETOUR – TORRES STRAIT ISLANDS

Depart from Seisia via ferry to Thursday Island and Horn Island for a glimpse into another culture and bring
the island history to life with a guided tour.

Discover the Torres Strait

See more itineraries at: tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/plan-your-trip/roadtrips