What to See and Do
For many people, a visit to Cape York Peninsula is a lifetime dream and a long-awaited adventure that rarely disappoints.
An area similar in size to the state of Victoria, or the British Isles, it is an amazing land of diverse contrasts offering new experiences to all visitors.
The Cape’s rugged coastline and white sandy beaches are fringed on the east coast by the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef, on the west coast by the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Strait to the north.
Inland, magnificent national parks, mountains, lowland wetlands, cascading waterfalls and majestic rivers entice year round visitors from interstate and overseas, to this, one of the world’s last remaining wilderness areas.
If you love fishing, bird-watching, horse riding, bush-walking, camping, four-wheel driving or sailing you’ll find world class attractions here, along with a rich history of Australia’s first inhabitants and the more recent history of Captain James Cook and European settlement.
Aboriginal Art and Culture
For visitors, experiencing indigenous culture can be a very rich and rewarding experience. The Laura Dance Festival is a bi-annual event that showcases indigineous culture and which is a popular event for locals and domestic and international visitors.
www.laurafestival.tv
'Quinkan' Rock Art Gallery, south of Laura
The Quinkan and Regional Cultural Centre - access to 'Quinkan' Rock Art Gallery, south of Laura
www.quinkancc.com.au
Lockhart River Art and Culture Centre
www.artgang.com.au
Western Cape Cultural Centre
Aurukun Arts Centre
Guurbi Tours - Aboriginal cultural tours
www.guurrbitours.com
National Parks
Cape York Peninsula has numerous national parks and resource reserves including Cape Melville National Park, Flinders Group National Park, Iron Range National Park, Jardine River National Park and Heathlands Resources Reserve, Lakefield National Park, Lizard Island National Park, Mungkan Kandju National Park and Palmer River Goldfield Resources Reserve. Find out more about permits and access at the National Parks website.
http://parks.camping.com.au/qld/qld_capeyork_national.htm
Download National Parks brochure
www.epa.qld.gov.au/publications?id=152
Historical Sites
Cape York is rich in history and a comprehensive list of Existing Places of Cultural Significance Currently in the Register of the National Estate appears as an appendix in the Cape York Peninsula Land Use Strategy.
Areas of Conservation Significance on Cape York Peninsula
www.environment.gov.au/erin/cyplus/lup/appendix1.html
Bird Watching
Cape York has numerous ecosystems from wetlands to woodlands and patches of rainforest that support both endemic and migratory birds including regular visitors from Papua New Guinea. The eastern edge of the Peninsula is mostly rainforest, but west of the Great Dividing Range the land is mainly eucalypt woodland, scrubland and grasslands. Bird watching tours cater to novice birdwatchers to serious twitchers.
Birds Australia
www.birdsaustralia.com.au
Directory of Australian Bird Watching Tours
www.ausbird.com
Horse Riding
If you are interested in seeing parts of Cape York in a saddle, Cape York Horse Riding Adventures at Lockerbie Station have 2 hour horse trail rides throughout the rainforest departing daily at 2pm. For those who want something a little longer, they have a pack horse trek that leaves Lockerbie Station once a week and rides through bush land and beaches. The trek includes a camp out for 2 nights and 3 days.
Cape York Horseriding Adventures
Phone:Â 07 4069 3000
Bush Walking
Bushwalking provides one of the best ways to experience the many, varied ecosystems of Cape York as well as its cultural heritage. Ensure that you are well prepared with appropriate footwear, sun protection, water and food, a simple first aid kit and let someone know where you are going and an estimated time of return.
Queensland Heritage Trails
www.heritagetrails.qld.gov.au/attractions/tropical_home.html
Fishing
Cape York offers sports and recreational fishers the broadest possible range of options for catching the 'big one'. From fresh water to estuarine and open water fishing, the region provides anglers with challenging fishing and endless hours of relaxation and fun. As with the rest of the Great Barrier Reef, restrictions apply as to where it is legal to fish so ensure you are aware where you may and may not fish by visiting the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority website.
www.gbrmpa.gov.au
Fishing Tours and Safaris
Tides
Bureau of Meteorology Tide Information
www.bom.gov.au/oceanography/tides/MAPS/qld.shtml
Off Road Driving
Driving to 'the tip' of Cape York Peninsula is a goal for many domestic and international visitors. It is important to ensure that you have the necessary equipment and experience to undertake the journey or travel with a certified tour company. A comprehensive list of tour companies is in the Getting There and Around section of this website.