Cape York: Cairns to the Tip
A dry-season 4WD expedition from Cooktown and Laura along the Peninsula Developmental Road to the northernmost point of mainland Australia.
- Distance
- 1,058 km (658 mi)
- Driving
- 11 h 32 min
- Suggested days
- 7
- Stops
- 8
- States
- Queensland
- Updated
- May 1, 2026
At a glance: 7-day road trip of about 1,058 km (658 mi) with 8 stops, from Cairns to The Tip of Cape York (Pajinka). About 11 h 32 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Queensland · More road trips from Cairns
Route description
Drive from Cairns to Cooktown, about 330 km on the sealed Mulligan Highway, passing Black Mountain’s black granite boulders on the way; they are best seen from the road. In Cooktown, see Grassy Hill and the Cook story, then return towards Lakeland, about 80 km, where the Peninsula Developmental Road begins. Check road reports and carry spare fuel, water and a tyre repair kit before going on.
Base yourself at Laura, on the Peninsula Developmental Road, to visit Quinkan Country’s rock art, one of the world’s great rock-art regions. Self-guided visits are possible at Split Rock; follow signs, as these are sacred sites. Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, 5,370 km², is north of Laura on unsealed roads and has numerous crocodiles; camp away from water and avoid the wet season, when it closes.
North of Laura the Peninsula Developmental Road is partly sealed and partly gravel; about 200 of its 571 km to Weipa were unsealed in 2022, so expect corrugations, dust, creek crossings and road trains. Coen is the main town, and fuel is sold at roadhouses such as Bramwell Junction; plan each leg by fuel range. Dry-season conditions vary week to week, usually from about May to November.
At Bramwell Junction choose the Bamaga Road or the rougher Old Telegraph Track, which suits experienced 4WD drivers only. Elliot Falls and Twin Falls offer swimming in Apudthama National Park, but only where signs allow. Cross the Jardine River by ferry, then continue to Bamaga and the final single-lane track, about 33 km, to the Tip. Do not swim in the sea; crocodiles and sharks live there. Cairns to the Tip is well over 1,000 km.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Cairns
Queensland - 2179 km
Black Mountain (Kalkajaka)
ViewsCooktown, QueenslandA heap of black granite boulders rising from the bush beside the road between Cooktown and Lakeland, in Kalkajaka National Park. Enjoy it as a roadside view and photo stop; the unstable rock and hidden gaps make climbing unsafe.
- 329 km
Cooktown
Queensland - 4103 km
Laura
Queensland - 518 km
Quinkan Rock Art, Split Rock
HistoryLaura, QueenslandPainted and engraved galleries in Quinkan Country near Laura, one of the world’s great rock-art regions, with images of Quinkan spirit beings. Self-guided visits are possible; treat the sites as sacred and keep to the paths.
- 639 km
Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park
NatureLaura, QueenslandQueensland’s second largest national park, at 5,370 km², of floodplains, billabongs and savanna with the Old Laura Homestead. Crocodiles are numerous; camp well away from water. The park closes in the wet season, so go in the dry.
- 7597 km
Elliot Falls and Twin Falls
NatureBamaga, QueenslandCascades and swimming holes in Apudthama National Park, formerly Jardine River National Park, on the Telegraph Track route to the Tip. Only a dry-season 4WD destination; swim only where signs allow, as crocodiles live in the region.
- 894 km
The Tip of Cape York (Pajinka)
ViewsBamaga, QueenslandThe northernmost point of mainland Australia at Pajinka, reached by a rough 4WD track beyond Bamaga and a short scramble over rocks. A dry-season trip only; do not swim in the sea, where crocodiles and sharks are a risk.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
7 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Cairns → Black Mountain (Kalkajaka) · 179 km · 1 h 57 min
- Day 2: Black Mountain (Kalkajaka) → Cooktown · 29 km · 0 h 19 min
- Day 3: Cooktown → Laura · 103 km · 1 h 07 min
- Day 4: Laura → Quinkan Rock Art, Split Rock · 18 km · 0 h 12 min
- Day 5: Quinkan Rock Art, Split Rock → Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park · 39 km · 0 h 25 min
- Day 6: Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park → Elliot Falls and Twin Falls · 597 km · 6 h 30 min
- Day 7: Elliot Falls and Twin Falls → The Tip of Cape York (Pajinka) · 94 km · 1 h 01 min
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–April and October–November. Hot in January–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Cape York: Cairns to the Tip?
7-day road trip of about 1,058 km (658 mi) with 8 stops, from Cairns to The Tip of Cape York (Pajinka). About 11 h 32 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Cape York: Cairns to the Tip?
We suggest 7 days: about 11 h 32 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Cape York: Cairns to the Tip start and end?
It starts in Cairns and ends in The Tip of Cape York (Pajinka).
Which states does Cape York: Cairns to the Tip pass through?
Queensland.
When is the best time for Cape York: Cairns to the Tip?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–April and October–November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
