Tuesday, July 22, 2008
© The Cairns Post

Cape York is filled with wide open spaces and special spots that are only reachable by 4WD.

While there are many tours that will show you some of the more well-known attractions of Cape York, if you really want to see the special places, a 4WD is the only way to go.

It will enable you to visit the very best fishing spots, swimming holes, waterfalls and other natural attractions that the Cape is so famous for.

The majority of the population live in a few scattered townships and the regional Aboriginal communities – about 60 per cent of the population are from Aboriginal or Torres Straits Islander groups.

About two and half hours drive north of Cairns is where the rainforest meets the sea. Cape Tribulation is the starting point for adventures further north into Cape York.

Cape Tribulation is a national park and doesn’t really have a ‘town’ as such. Rather after driving through the Daintree area visitors will come across a number of resorts and camping areas scattered across the region.

If you’ve got yourself a 4WD you can continue to travel north along the Bloomfield Track, but not during the wet season as it is usually closed due to bad weather.

Parts of the national parks and world-heritage listed areas are off-limits to visitors, but the 4WD tours will have correct permits and permissions for their various Cape Tribulation tours.

Most tours include either camping and/or hiking so can be difficult for those with mobility issues and small children. However, private charter groups are able to organise specialised tours for people with a particular interest.

Cooktown is famous for being home to Captain Cook on his first journey of discovery up the north eastern coast of Australia after he managed to hole his ship the HM Bark Endeavour in 1770.

Still a small town, Cooktown has been growing rapidly over the last few years making it one the region’s growth areas. As the first non-indigenous settlements, Cooktown came into its own from 1873-1883 during the Palmer River gold rush.

Since then the township has waxed and waned with fishing and cattle being the two major industries in the area. Now, however, Cooktown is becoming a hub town for the eco-tourism and growing natural tourism on Cape York.

With a population of about 2000, Cooktown is relatively small but also acts as a service centre for the surrounding Aboriginal communities of Hopevale and Wujal Wujal.

The best time of the year to visit is between April and October before the hard temperatures of summer arrive. From December to April is the wet season when many roads end up under water and settlements get cut off from the outside world for days or weeks at a time.

Some of the bigger settlements include Laura which offers a pub, a general store, service stations, a police station and a health clinic. The area around Laura is home to some of the world’s largest prehistoric rock painting galleries and there are a number of Cape York tours available with the local indigenous owners.

As you can see, Cape York is Australia at its rugged best, with many amazing natural attractions available to those who choose to get off the beaten path a little.

Water crossings can provide some of the most exhilarating and challenging 4WDriving around. They can also prove to be the most expensive! A 4WD is not an amphibious vehicle, in fact they are not even waterproof. The actual depth that you can cross depends on your vehicle. For example, a stock LandCruiser may be submerged at the depth a raised Hilux doesn't even wet the door sills. As a general rule, if its above the top of your wheels its probably too deep. A water crossing should not be attempted by inexperienced or ill-prepared 4WDrivers. Prior to a water crossing, it is a good idea to place your recovery gear on top of other luggage. The last thing you want to do is be searching under your fridge, tents and luggage for your recovery gear when you are stuck in the middle of a crossing.