What the drive involves

From Cairns or Cooktown the Peninsula Developmental Road runs north through Laura, Coen and the Archer River to Bramwell Junction, then the Bamaga Road continues to the Jardine River ferry and the tip of the mainland. Long stretches are unsealed and corrugated, with dust, bulldust holes and river crossings. Roadhouses at Laura, Musgrave, Coen, Archer River and Bramwell Junction sell fuel and basics, so you can plan the trip in stages.

What written approval means for your hire

Written approval means the trip is approved before you collect the camper and noted on your rental agreement. Ask for it when you book: approval can be refused, or come with conditions such as the season, a satellite phone or travel with a second vehicle. Driving there without it breaches the hire terms, and damage on the way is usually not covered.

Each camper has its own Cape York season, and some cover only the roads north of Laura or Cooktown. A camper approved in June may not be approved in December, so the dates on your booking must fall inside its window. The approval covers the Peninsula Developmental Road, the Bamaga Road and the bypass roads; the Old Telegraph Track is excluded for all of these campers.

Questions about Cape York

When can I drive to Cape York in a rental?

In the dry season. Our campers are allowed from about June, some until October and some until November, and none during the wet. Roads and river crossings can stay closed after a late wet season, so check road conditions before you leave.

Do I need permits to camp on Cape York?

National park campsites must be booked ahead with Queensland Parks. North of the Jardine River, the ferry ticket includes a permit to camp in the Northern Peninsula Area.

Can I drive all the way to the Tip?

Yes, if your camper is approved for the whole route. The main road and the bypass roads take you to the Jardine River ferry and on to the Tip; the last stretch to the northernmost point is a walk.