Have more to remember on your trip to ‘The Tip’
Issued: 25 Jun

Top tip: the key to the best trip in this vast and remote area is research and planning (we’re talking PhD level research). Our parks and forests website and Cape York Peninsula parks and reserves journey guide (PDF, 4.7MB) are great places to start. When things don’t go as planned (and you can bet they won’t) you’ll be very grateful you did your research.

Travelling to the wild north

What is the best way to explore Cape York? How long is a piece of string?! Do your research, decide which national parks are on your bucket list, look at how long you have, and then start to build your itinerary. We recommend a trip of 14 days or more (one-way) to truly experience the wild wonders of the region, especially Queensland’s national parks.

If you’re planning on sharing live, Insta-worthy moments along your trip, think again. Phone and internet coverage is ‘patchy’, to say the least. But luckily, the views and experiences you’ll have along the way are best uninterrupted anyway.

Top tip: remember to book your national park camp sites online, in advance. If you don’t want to lock it all in before you leave home, make sure you plan where and when you will book ahead as you travel—phone and internet coverage will be ‘patchy’ at best when you’re on your Cape York Peninsula adventure.

Here’s a sneak-peek at some of our national parks along the way to give you just a taste of the beauty and wilderness that awaits.

Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL)

An exciting drive along the four-wheel drive only Battle Camp Road leads you into Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL), where you’ll have 25 camping areas to choose as your base.

It’s the second largest national park in Queensland, so give yourself plenty of time to explore and enjoy the diverse landscapes, including the vast river systems and spectacular wetlands, that Rinyirru is renowned for.

Get lots of ‘ticks’ in your bird watching guide exploring some of the lagoons and waterholes, always being crocwise, of course.

See the amazing waterlily displays at Red and White Lily lagoons, explore the historic Old Laura Homestead and learn about the national park’s pastoral heritage, and embrace the setting sun silhouetting the amazing termite mounds dotted across the vast grasslands of Nifold Plain. This national park is jointly managed by the Rinyirru (Lakefield) Land Trust and QPWS and will have you feeling very refreshed and peaceful.

Oyala Thumotang National Park (CYPAL)

Pronounced ‘oy-a-la toom-o-tongue’, Oyala Thumotang National Park (CYPAL) is all about relaxation and taking in the incredible living cultural landscape, jointly managed by the Oyala Thumotang Land Trust and QPWS.

Feel immersed in the vast and isolated landscape of this sprawling national park and enjoy a secluded remote bush camp site in the Coen River section. Be amazed by the diversity of waterbirds in the large, permanent waterholes and maybe even be lucky enough to spot the iconic palm cockatoo perched in one of the trees near the riverbank.

Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL)

Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL) protects the largest area of lowland tropical rainforest in Australia and is jointly managed by the Northern Kuuku Ya’u Kanthanampu Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Land Trust and QPWS.

Spend hours walking along the white quartz sands of wind-swept Chilli Beach, letting the sea air revive you and gaze at the distinctive rocks dotted along the shore.

Learn a little more about Aboriginal culture—find hidden meanings in the heath-clad landscape of Mount Tozer through the story of Kutini (cassowary). Discover some more fascinating history of the area—Captain Bligh and Restoration Island, WWII Iron Range air base, war remnants like old bridges and gun emplacements now mostly smothered by rainforest, and even relics of gold prospecting at Cooks Hut.

Explore the rainforest walks further inland looking for eclectus parrots and palm cockatoos, and spotlight at night for green pythons and southern common and Australian spotted cuscuses.

Apudthama National Park (CYPAL)

Our northern-most national park, Apudthama National Park (CYPAL) is just incredible. This feels like the ‘real Cape York’—and the vast, remote wilderness around you is full of cultural significance. Camp beneath clear starry skies and feel a connection with the ‘sandbeach people’ who lived here for thousands of years and knew Eliot Falls as ‘Yaranjangu’, a story place.

This national park is jointly managed by QPWS and the Aboriginal Traditional Owners from the Atambaya, Angkamuthi, Yadhaykenu, Gudang and Wuthathi language and social groups.

Wash away dust in crystal-clear waters at Twin Falls at Eliot Falls camping area, a surprising oasis in a vast open savannah and discover fascinating carnivorous plants along the creek edges.

This area was known as ‘wet desert’ by early explorers because the hard sandstone landscape didn’t provide feed for cattle or horses, yet freshwater was abundant in the spring-fed creeks and swamps.

Inspired to plan your own Cape York Peninsula adventure?

Whether you’re an adventurous family or a couple with wanderlust looking for new horizons, make sure to spend the time on our national parks of Cape York Peninsula to fully appreciate the wilderness. You’ll be left with priceless memories, and many, many stories to share.

Learn more about the national parks of Cape York Peninsula.

Start planning now by downloading the Cape York Peninsula parks and reserves journey guide (PDF, 4.7MB) .

Find out more about where to go and what to do in the remote Cooktown and Cape York region.