Cairns to the Tip Drive Itinerary
From Cairns to Cairns

Day 1: Cairns to Hann River

As you start your journey from Cairns to the tip of Cape York you will travel via Kuranda over the Great Dividing Range through Mareeba, Mount Molloy and Mt Carbine where you can stop for morning tea before continuing on past the Palmer River gold field where remnants of the gold rush era can still be found.

Turning on to the Peninsula Developmental Road you are on your way to Laura. The region surrounding Laura is known as Quintan country and extends to the coastline of Princess Charlotte Bay to cover 600 square kilometres. The area is renowned for its ancient Aboriginal rock art. You can quite easily visit Split Rock which is most prominent site in the area, with guided tours available or you can walk to the rock art yourself. There are hundreds of painted rock shelters in the district. Other Aboriginal areas include the Jowalbinna Bush Camp and Deighton River Bush Camp. If you are interested in these areas you will need to contact the relevant local authorities prior to starting your trip.

Your first night stay will be at Hann River located 74 km north of Laura. This picturesque camping site offers breathtaking sunrises and is a great spot for birdwatchers.

Day 2: Hann River to Weipa

Today you will most likely rise to a chorus of birds just metres away from your camp site. After an early morning camp side breakfast continue your journey to the tip, your next stop will be Musgrave, which is the site of the Telegraph Station which opened on the 23rd of December 1886, to provide communication to many of the stations over the Cape. The Telegraph Station closed in 1928 and became a station homestead with very few changes being made in order to preserve its historical value.

The next township you will pass through is Coen which is the centre for the region's cattle industry; here you can pickup supplies of groceries and fuel.

The Archer River is a great stop for lunch and a chat with the locals. This popular stopover is where the Archer and Coen Rivers meet in nearby Rokeby and Archer Bend National Parks. The surrounding lagoons and swamps have an abundance of wildlife.

Today you will most likely rise to a chorus of birds just metres away from your camp site. After an early morning camp side breakfast continue your journey to the tip, your next stop will be Musgrave, which is the site of the Telegraph Station which opened on the 23rd of December 1886, to provide communication to many of the stations over the Cape. The Telegraph Station closed in 1928 and became a station homestead with very few changes being made in order to preserve its historical value.

The next township you will pass through is Coen which is the centre for the region's cattle industry; here you can pickup supplies of groceries and fuel.

The Archer River is a great stop for lunch and a chat with the locals. This popular stopover is where the Archer and Coen Rivers meet in nearby Rokeby and Archer Bend National Parks. The surrounding lagoons and swamps have an abundance of wildlife.

Your final stop for today will be Weipa which is the largest town on Cape York Peninsula and home to the Comalco bauxite mine. Weipa provides a wide range of services and facilities for the traveller. North of Weipa, Stones Crossing on the Wenlock River and up on the Pennefather River are some great spots to camp and fish. Old Mapoon is another popular spot but you will need to get a permit before you leave Weipa. Overnight at Weipa's camp ground which has cabins and camp sites on offer.

Day 3 & 4: Weipa to Heathlands - The Tip of Cape York

Weipa has more to offer than you think. The region offers the Bauxite Mine Tour; guided deep sea or estuary fishing tours; horse riding; bird watching; make-your-own art works; you can even have a round of golf. So spend a day exploring the surrounding area. To break up your day you can have a relaxing picnic in Albatross Bay. Overnight again in Weipa.

Why not enjoy a bit of a sleep in this morning as you will be travelling to the Heathlands National Park which is approximately 315 km from Weipa on the Peninsula Development Road. However you will want to arrive early at the Heathlands so you can indulge yourself with a relaxing swim in one of the waterfalls.

Further north after an afternoon tea stop at the Moreton Telegraph Station, you enter the Jardine National Park and the Heathlands. You will be entranced by the unusual change in the landscape. The Heathlands is a vast area of 2 metre high wet and dry heath vegetation which live side by side and is home to an abundance of wildlife.

You will be camping beside some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Australia including Eliot and Fruit Bat Falls which are in close proximity to each other, but don't forget you will need to visit the Ranger station for permits and advise on the Park's area in general.

Note: There is an optional driving track through Batavia Downs however you will need to check in Weipa if this is available at your time of travel.

Day 5 & 6: Heathlands to Thursday Island

With just a short distance to go now before you reach the tip of Cape York, you will traveling on the Northern Bypass Road and crossing the Jardine River (see note).

The northern Aboriginal communities of Bamaga, Seisia and Pajinka are nestled at the top of the Cape and provide access to the northern most point of Australia. You will need to walk along the slightly rugged but scenic walking path to reach the tip of Australia and make sure you take water with you for this walk. It is advisable to do this walk either in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Before crossing the Endeavour Strait to Thursday Island you can go to the wharf at Seisia and fish from the jetty (Note: Permit for fishing may apply, check at the Visitor Information Centre before departing Cairns). Overnight accommodation on Thursday Island.

Note: You will need to cross the Jardine River by ferry and a fee applies, at present it is $90.00 which will need to be paid in cash. You can check the cost at the local Visitor Information Centre in Cairns

Thursday Island is identified as one of the last great frontiers in Australian history. In 1880, Thursday Island acted as the defence centre for Australia and evidence still exists in the cannons remaining in place on the Island. It is located 1233 km north of Cairns and 35 km north west of the tip of Cape York. The population of Thursday Island and the Torres Strait Islands is 7000 with the majority of residents being involved in some way with the Islands' three major industries: pearling, cray-fishing and trochus.

There is a 1.5 hour scenic bus tour of the Island which will give you a sense of the Island's history past and present, and you can't go to Thursday Island without visiting Gabi Titui Cultural Centre; a pearling farm; and much more. Tours are also available to Horn Island.

Overnight again on Thursday Island.

Day 7: Thursday Island to Archer River Road House

You will need to depart early today to allow you time to visit Captain Billy's Landing which is located on the coast, the turn off is half way through the Heathlands Reserve.

Your stopover for tonight is the popular Archer River Road House where the Archer and Coen Rivers meet in nearby Rokeby and Archer Bend National Parks. The surrounding lagoons and swamps have an abundance of wildlife. Make sure you visit an interesting memorial dedicated to a local truck driver. Overnight at the Archer River Road House.

Day 8: Archer River Road House to Lakefield National Park

Traveling from Archer to Lakefield National Park, you can enter the park from Musgrave, this is a 4WD track only. Lakefield National Park is the second largest park in Queensland with a diverse range of flora including eucalypt and melaleuca woodlands, grasslands, vast plains, freshwater wetlands, forests and sandstone outcrops each holding an abundance of wildlife.

There are three ranger stations and 25 camping areas located within the Park, always check with the rangers before setting up camp. Overnight at Lakefield National Park.

Day 9: Lakefield to Cooktown

Rise early today for a morning drive to Cooktown.

The township of Cooktown was first established as a port for the goldfields on the Palmer River in 1872, although the site had been discovered some 100 years prior when Captain Cook made his historic journey along the east coast of Australia. Cooktown is the site where he repaired his ship, The Endeavour, after striking the Great Barrier Reef.

After checking into your accommodation, take a drive to Nature's Power House Botanic Gardens, this is not your traditional botanic garden, but one you will be very, very impressed with. It also houses one of our national treasures: the Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery. Vera's artwork consists of illustrations of the flowering plants from the region.

At sunset make your way to the Grassy Hill Lighthouse which is home to the Cooktown lighthouse which was built in England and shipped to Cooktown in 1885, the sun dial is actually a 'Global Positioning Monument' and Captain Cook's Grassy Hill Monument. You will not only be struck by the magnificent views but also you will get a feel of the Cooktown township.

Another must-see is the James Cook Museum which is operated by the Queensland National Trust. The museum houses the HMS Bark Endeavour and Chinese, Pastoral, Mining, and Indigenous collections plus much more.

The tours in Cooktown incorporate the incredible nature-based and Aboriginal cultural attractions. There are also fishing, reef and adventure trips. Cooktown is also a part of many Cape York trips.

Overnight in Cooktown, where you can choose from caravan park or motel accommodation.

Day 10: Cooktown to Cairns

Departing Cooktown via the Coastal road (4WD only) your first encounter will be Black Mountain National Park which holds mysterious Aboriginal legends. Then travel onto the heritage-listed Lions Den Hotel which was built in 1875 and has a vast collection of reminders of the past lifestyle of the region.

Further down the track you will travel through Wujal Wujal, an Aboriginal community. From here it's a short drive to the spectacular Bloomfield Falls. Make sure you have packed a picnic lunch so you can sit and enjoy the scenery.

The last leg of your journey is via the Bloomfield track to Cape Tribulation where you will need to board the vehicular ferry to cross the Daintree River. You will travel through Mossman where you can visit Mossman Gorge on your return to Cairns.