Cooktown to Cape York

Gazvick · Newbie

Cooktown to Cape York

Radar · Guru

Hi Gazvick and welcome to the Greynomads Forum.

In answer to your question we did it about 16 years ago and the trip to the Tip has changed remarkably, the roads have been improved north of Cairns for a starter, fuel is a lot more accessible, food more obtainable and the worst is there will be so many more people doing the trip, its like a gold rush on.

Last year around July 2014 we towed our caravan to Cooktown up through Emerald, Charters Towers, Mareeba then back to Daintree via Mtn. Molloy then back down the coast to Brisbane and was totally amazed at the changes in that area.

Camping to me woud still be the way to go although a lot are towing camper trailers with odd caravan or two. Cabins will be few and far between at premium prices.

Very hard to set a kilometres pace as the unsealed roads will dictate your speed. From Sydney 3 to 4 days of travel to Cairns then a day to Cooktown via the Daintree. 2 days to Weipa taking in the sights along the way via Lakeland NP.

Another 2 days to Bamaga across the punt, a good day up to the top, a couple of days looking about, don't forget a trip by ferry to Thursday Island for the day. Then a few side adventures on the way back down taking in Lockhart River.

The trip back down will be marginally quicker as you will of used you food surplies up, running a bit lighter.

Hope you find this information of use and enjoy your trip to the top of our woderful country. Radar

Gazvick · Newbie

Thnx so much for your info. We hadn't thought of travelling thru Weipa etc. we will now look at that too!
Regards, Gary & Vickii

Oma · Guru

In 2009 we took 2 weeks from Mossman & 2012 3 weeks as we did side trips to Captain Billy's Landing,ChilliBeach,Lochardt & downthrough Kalpower NP to Cooktown. Tented both times leaving vans at Mossman. Between 2019 & 2012 the amount of sealed road had increased with the dirt roads good. Many more vans going up there but that limits you for the other places. Recommend stay at Seicha, not Punsand. Road was the worst north of the Jardine. Ferry fees which includes all camping at Indiginous site & is $150 return with OAP much cheaper. There are places to restock with food even though much dearer. Check out my 2012 blog for some photos. Try to keep away from school holidays & get there as early after the wet season as you can & after the roads have been graded following the wet. Enjoy. We love the Cape

Oma · Guru

bkmcl.wordpress.com/2014/03/ Open this site & go to the Archives down the right to , I think, Feb,March & Apr 2014 to find the Cape York.

Gazvick · Newbie

Thanks Oma. Really great hearing this advice. Will have a look at the photos too!

Oma · Guru

Enjoy your trip

FraLyn · Veteran Member

Hi Gazvick
We drove up to the tip during August-September 2015. Camping and cabins available at most stops along the way including Laura, Coen, Weipa, Bamaga and Loyalty Beach. We planned on doing around 250-300 kms a day and achieved it comfortably. The road conditions were bad to terrible particularly after the Jardine river ferry and upto the tip. The ferry trip across the straits to Horn and Thursday island were worth the trip. Consider a night at Bramwell junction - entertainment, food and drinks available at night. If heading to Lockhart river, consider a detour to Portlands for lunch and enjoy the great selections of ice creams in a remote location just near the home-restaurant. We returned via Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, Batttle Camp, Cooktown, Bloomfield track, Daintree, Cape Tribuation and back into Cairns. A most memorable and enjoyable experience.
PM me if you require further information.
Frank