CAPE YORK PENINSULA

Cape York Peninsula is a huge finger of land that stretches to the northhernmost point of the continent, falling just 140 kilometres short of New Guinea across the island-studded Torres Strait. Cape York Peninsula comprises an area larger than mainland Greece, but has a population of less than 20,000. This is a frontier land, and access to many areas is air, sea, or - when passable - unsealed outback roads.

ROLL YOUR MOUSE OVER THE MARKERS ON THE MAP FOR DETAILS OF EACH LOCATION/PROPERTY. CLICK ON THE MARKER FOR MORE INFORMATION, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND CONTACTS DETAILS. SCROLL DOWN FOR TOURS AND ATTRACTIONS.

More than sixty percent of the population of Cape York Peninsula belong to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups. The indigenous peoples of the region have maintained a high level of cultural distinctiveness, evident in their language and traditional activities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have control over fifteen percent of the region's land mass, and traditional owners exist for all of Cape York Peninsula.

Key industries of Cape York Peninsula are tourism, mining, fishing and pastoral, but the regional economy is dominated by the mining industry. Mining contributes more than half of GRP, employing twelve percent of the local workforce; more than ten times the national average.

Heading north into the Cape region, the first town of any notable size is Cooktown - the northernmost town on Australia's east coast - with a population of approximately 2000. Since the inland route from Cairns via Lakeland was sealed, Cooktown has become a popular destination for tourists visiting Tropical North Queensland. Car Rental companies now allow their conventional two wheel drive vehicles to travel to Cooktown on the inland route. But if you plan to travel beyond Cooktown under your own steam, you'll need to have a suitable vehicle, emergency supplies, and be forearmed with all the necessary information.

As you venture northwest acrosss the peninsula, settlements become smaller and more scattered. Some degree of planning is involved if you are intending to drive. A suitably equipped four wheel drive is preferable...### The best time to visit Cape York Peninsula is between April and October when the temperatures are mild, and the roads likely to be above water. This is a monsoonal climate, and the months from December to April (particularly January to March) can be very wet indeed.

Laura. Laura is a tiny town of around 100, consisting of a pub, a general store, two service stations, a school, a police station, a health clinic, and a few houses. Accommodation is available at the pub, and internet accessis availabel at the Laura Home and Community Care Centre. But it's the area around Laura that fascinates visitors; this area is home to some of the world's most extensive prehistoric rock painting galleries. To find out more, please visit our LAURA page

A further 250 kilometres northwest is Coen, an important supply point on the long unpaved road leading to Weipa and other northern communities. Coen has two general stores and fuel outlets, hospital, post office, police station and ranger base. Tourist accommodation is available in the form of a hotel/motel, a guesthouse and camping grounds. The town has its own nearby airstrip and there is a scheduled air service to Lockhart and Cairns 4 times a week.

From Coen, it's 340 kilometres to Weipa, a prosperous Gulf mining town of approximately 3,000 people. Weipa began as a Presbyterian Aboriginal mission outpost in 1898, but owes its present existence to the enormous bauxite deposits discovered along this section of the coast. The present town has been constructed mainly by Comalco, now called Rio Tinto Aluminium, a large aluminium company, who began making trial shipments of bauxite to Japan in 1962. In 2005, Australia was the top producer of bauxite with almost one-third world share.

At the very tip of Cape York Peninsula, a long, slow 330 kilometre drive from Weipa, are the towns of Bamaga and Seisia. Seisia has a permanent population of only about 100 people (approximately 75% Islander and 20% Aboriginal) but has become a very popular destination for anglers. A number of fishing charter operators use Seisia as their base. Tours linking Seisia with a number of Torres Strait islands (including the market days on Saibai) are also available. Please scroll down to our FISHING section for more information.

Bamaga is a much larger centre, with an Islander population of approximately 700, and a further 300 temporary non-islander residents. Bamaga is located north of the Jardine River, and during the wet season, the two and surrounding communities can be completely cut off from the rest of Australia.

There is some cattle production around Bamaga, but the major industry is tourism mainly during the drier months of the year. As mentioned, The Developmental Road becomes impassable during the wet season. The ferry across the Jardine River also does not operate. There is a general merchandise/clothing store, a video store, Post Office, Service Station/workshop, snack bar, pub and bakery in Bamaga.

Powercards are an innovative idea for electricity supply to all residences in the Bamaga area. These are similar to phonecards and are inserted into the powerboards at each residence. The cards are available only in AU$20.00 amounts. There are therefore no issue of power bills as responsibility remains with each household to maintain power by the use of the cards.

ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO - CAPE YORK PENINSULA

LOYALTY BEACH CAPE YORK 4WD TOURS
Phone (07) 4069 3372 / FAX (07) 4069 3770

www.loyaltybeach.com/4wdtours.htm

Experience the history and diversity of Cape York!
The Loyalty Beach Cape York Tour tour takes you through verdant rainforest to the northern-most point of Australia and beyond, with other destinations including:

* Historical Somerset Beach - original site of the Cape's administrative centre
* The local indigenous communities of the Northern Peninsula Area
* the Croc Tent Souvenir Stall
* Lockerbie Homestead
* the WW2 plane wrecks at the Injinoo Airfield
* the Bamaga Information and Visitor's Centre

All tours are conducted by an experienced guide familiar with Cape York flora and fauna, for a minimum of four people, and include lunch and light refreshments at a pristine location.

CAPE YORK MOTORCYCLES
Po Box 105, Clifton Beach, QLD 4879
(free pickup within Cairns)
Phone (07) 4059 0220 / Fax (07) 4059 0801

www.capeyorkmotorcycles.com.au

Australia's leading motorcycle touring company!

Cape York Motorcycle Adventures is the longest running motorcycle touring company in Australia, with over nineteen years experience in this unique, adventure location. A range of tours are available, but the most popular product is an 8 day off-road adventure running from Cairns to Cape York.

All necessary modifications are made to the bikes so that they are able to cope with the rough terrain of Cape York (long range tanks, bash plates and Roy's special modifications). All bikes are electric start, reliable, handle well and most importantly are lots of fun to ride. A specifically modified Toyota V8 Landcruiser supports all 5, 6 and 8 day tours.

Due to high demand, Cape York Motorcycle Adventures have recently added new 8-day tours to Darwin and Broome, with different types of bikes

AWT DISCOVERY TOURS Phone (07) 4041 1887 / Fax (07) 4041 3887 Leaving from Cairns, this 8 day/7 night luxury 4WD tour takes you north along the coastline to Cape Tribulation and Cooktown, through Laura and Coen your adventure will continue, travelling along the southern leg of the old Telegraph Track into one of Australia's most remote regions. CAPE YORK HELICOPTERS 5/97 Tom McDonald Drive, Cairns Phone (07) 4035 9400 / Fax (07) 4034 9271 From two to six days explore Cape York, where you can find reef, rainforest and outback experiences only accessible by helicopter. You can go fishing, hunting and on a safari to for Cape York operating from Cairns, on the Great Barrier Reef. CAPTAIN BILLY'S Phone (07) 4031 4045 See a land of history, ancient culture, billabongs, waterfalls, breathtaking scenery and Aboriginal art. Discover landscape features like lush forests, coastal coves and headlands that few people have seen. DAINTREE AIR SERVICES Phone (07) 4034 9300 / Fax (07) 4034 9400 Daintree Air Cape York tour is designed to show you all of the highlights of Cape York, both from the air and by 4WD. From the air you will be shown those parts of Cape York inaccessible by vehicles, such as Cape Melville, Cape Flaterry or the Flinders Islands Groups. And on a 4WD you will visit the Tip of Cape York. INSHORE SPORT FISHING Weipa Phone (07) 4069 9157 Inshore Sport Fishing caters for all types of sportfishing disciplines. Your guide, Russell, offers a personalised guiding service for up to two anglers plus the guide.

JOHN CHARLTON'S CAPE YORK ADVENTURES Bamaga Phone / Fax (07) 4069 3302 John Charlton's Cape York Adventures have been operating since 1996, specializing in holidays that cater for everyone: scenic adventure holidays and dedicated fishing holidays. NORTH WEST SAFARIS Phone (07) 4094 2000 NorthWest Australian Safaris offer small and very personalized 4wd camping tours to Cape York and The Gulf Savannah. WEIPA HOUSEBOATS Weipa Phone (07) 4069 7469/ Fax (07) 4069 7305 Enjoy fishing or relaxing in the Albatross Bay on one of these fully equiped houseboats. If you are looking for a fishing charter trip or a croc spotting tour Weipa Houseboats is perfect. The Houseboats sleep up to ten people and no boat licence is required. WILDERNESS CHALLENGE Phone (07) 4035 4488 / Fax (07) 4035 4188 Wilderness Challenge offers a wide range of 4WD extended tours to Cape York Peninsula. Explore one of Australia's last great wilderness regions - a land of history and ancient culture, crystal clear spring-fed creeks, huge termite mounds, and a vast and amazing variety of natural landscapes, including Iron Range National Park.

NATURAL SITES

EVENTS

LAURA FESTIVAL
Laura holds the biggest and longest Aboriginal festival of its kind in Australia. Celebrating Aboriginal culture, still very strong in North Queensland, the Laura Dance and Cultural Festival is a bi-annual event that nowadays attracts heaps of people from all over the country and overseas. Many indigenous communities, mainly from the Cape York region, will participate through songs, dances, music and stories. Also traditional indigenous sporting events and competitions will be held during the festival.

COEN INDIGENOUS MUSIC AND SPORTS FESTIVAL
The Coen Indigenous Music and Sports Festival is a celebration of Indigenous culture, featuring live music and ancillary activities including an sports carnival, the battle of the bands, a craft fair, food stalls, guided hike up Mount White, gymkhana and much more… Remember that this is an alcohol free event supporting no smoking and no violence.

Check out our TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND EVENTS CALENDAR for more information about these and other events around North Queensland.

ACCOMMODATION - CAPE YORK PENINSULA

Cape York Peninsula accommodation varies as much as this vast region. Try a genuine Australian farmstay, or an ensuite cabin in a remote nature lodge. There is also guesthouse accommodation and campgrounds on Cape York Peninsula.

LOYALTY BEACH CAMPGROUND AND FISHING LODGE
Phone (07) 4069 3372 / Fax (07) 4069 3770

www.loyaltybeach.com

Proudly associated with New Mapoon community!

Situated only 45 minutes from Australia's northernmost point, Loyalty Beach Campground offers travellers the ideal location to pitch their base camp as they explore the Northern Peninsula Area. The campground boasts over 500 metres of grassed beachfront camping, with powered and unpowered sites.

But guests may also choose to stay in the airconditioned lodge-style accommodation situated at the northern end of the grounds and looks out over the magical Torres Strait.

There is also the Loyalty Beach Guest House, also available for both passing guests and corporate bookings. The two-story open-air beachfront house sleeps up to six people, with plenty of room to unroll a swag if extra bedding is required. It is fully self-contained with cooking facilities, laundry facilities, and linen provided.

LOTUSBIRD LODGE
Marina Plains Road, Via Musgrave (MAP)
Phone (07) 4060 3400 / Fax (07) 4060 3480

www.lotusbird.com.au

An oasis of comfort in the outback!

Lotusbird Lodge Cape York comprises 10 individual pole style cabins set amongst shady eucalypts along the inner bank of a large horseshoe shaped billabong. Each cabin has its own private verandah overlooking the billabong and is very comfortably furnished, with ensuite. Cabins are either double or twin share, and have a cane table with two chairs, writing desk with chair, small refrigerator, wardrobe, ceiling fans, screened windows and a table and two chairs on the private verandah.

The lodge can only accommodate a maximum of 20 guests at any given time, and is not open to the traveling public. The restaurant and bar facilities are for lodge guests only, ensuring all guests maximum enjoyment of the tranquility of the Australian bush.

You can enjoy the tranquility of the Australian bush from your verandah, or take a self guided nature walk along marked trails through the myriad of rare local plants and flowers, and experience encounters with dingoes, wallabies, goannas, and frilled lizards.

OTHER ACCOMMODATION

HAGGERSTONE ISLAND RESORT Haggerstone Island Phone (07) 4060 3413 / Fax (07) 4060 3423 Haggerstone Island Resort offers different styles of accommodation, sleeping from two to four in independent huts. The huts are hand crafted free form buildings of varying style that are placed gently in the island jungle, giving the feeling they have been there forever. PORUMA ISLAND RESORT Poruma Phone (07) 4090 0170 / Fax (07) 4090 0190 Built in the authentic Poruma style, each stunning hut is luxuriously equipped and furnished, with a king-sized bed on elevated platform. Each bedroom even has its own plunge pool, just the thing for cooling off in the midday heat. Television, telephone, Internet access and fax facilities. RESORT BAMAGA Corner Lui & Adidi Streets, Bamaga Phone (07) 4069 3050 / Fax (07) 4069 3653 Resort Bamaga offers affordable luxury accommodation at Bamaga. Ideal getaway for families corporate and government travellers, special interest and conference groups. The resort rooms range from twin to double, suites and cabins, all are air-conditioned with en-suite facilities. HOMESTEAD GUESTHOUSE Regent Street, Cohen Phone (07) 4060 1157 Homestead Gueshouse is an homey old fashioned bush home offering clean country accommodation at affordable prices. There are 11 well kept room, all with shared bathrooms and other facilities. Guests can also make use of the barbecue, kitchen, laundry and lounge.

MORETON TELEGRAPH STATION Moreton Phone (07) 4060 3360 / Fax (07) 4060 3327 Lots of space and plenty of shady campsites are available throughout the well-kept grounds. Three 'unisex' shower/toilet facilities are available for use by campers. The self-contained Safari-Tent site is situated away from the main camping area, and has its own under-cover dining area and ablutions block. PORTLAND HOUSE Lot 10 Portland Roads, Cape York Phone (07) 4060 7193 Portland House sleeps up to 8 people in an open plan cottage setting. There are 2 queen size beds and 4 singles. This house features a small kitchen, with a gas fridge/freezer and gas stove/oven. In the backyard is a unique hand-made wood fired pizza oven and bbq facility. PUNSAND BAY CAMPING RESORT Lot 11 Punsand Bay Via Bamaga Phone (07) 4069 1722 / Fax (07) 4069 1403 Punsand Bay offers secluded bush and beachfront campsites, powered or unpowered, and can accommodate most 4WD caravan and camper trailers. There are also air conditioned cabins have two rooms twin share or double. And twin share, double and family on site tents.

DINING - CAPE YORK PENINSULA

LOYALTY BEACH CAMPGROUND AND FISHING LODGE
Phone (07) 4069 3372 / Fax (07) 4069 3770

www.loyaltybeach.com

Our dining facilities are fully licenced!

While staying at Loyalty Beach Campground And Fishing Lodge, you will be sure to enjoy the tantalising meals that are prepared each night by the onsite chef. Meals are served in their licensed dining area.

Continental breakfasts and lunch are also available with the option of either having it served on the Loyalty beachfront, or packed for touring. Contact Loyalty Beach Campground And Fishing Lodge for availability and booking enquiries.

Enjoy the range of Premium and non-premium beers, bottled wines, and premixed spirits with your meals.

GETTING AROUND CAPE YORK PENINSULA

BY AIR

Cape Air Transport has all weather, twin and single engine aircraft, offering personal charters to Cape York Peninsular departing from Cooktown.
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Cape York Airlines offer VIP and executive transfers to Cape York Peninsula

HINTERLAND AVIATION Phone (07) 4035 9323 / Fax (07) 4034 9472 Hinterland Aviation specialises in personalised air charters throughout Australia,including Cape York. With over 20 years' experience, Hinterland Aviation are one of North Queensland's most experienced charter companies.

SKYTRANS Tollfree 1300 759 872 Skytrans operates scheduled routes which service regional North Queensland extensively, including Cape York Peninsula.

BY SEA

Seaswift offers a weekly passenger service, which operates all year round between Cairns, Thursday Island and Bamaga.
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Cairns to Lakeland - 240km (3.5hrs)
Lakeland to Cooktown - 80km (1 hr)

Lakeland to Coen - 300km (4.0 hrs)
Coen to Weipa - 340km (4.0 hrs)
Weipa to Bamaga - 330km (9.5 hours)

These driving times are only approximate. Driving conditions can vary drastically throughout the year.

• COOKTOWN
• LAURA
• LIZARD ISLAND

• NATIONAL PARKS
• ABORIGINAL CULTURE

EMERGENCY SERVICES

In case of emergency only, dial 000. In all other cases, phone the local service as below:

COEN

Hospital (07)
Nursing Clinic (07)
Police (07)
Roadside Assistance - RACQ 131 905 (24 hours)

WEIPA

Hospital (07)
Nursing Clinic (07)
Police (07)

BAMAGA

Hospital (07)
Nursing Clinic (07)
Police (07)