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While Driving from either Cairns or Cooktown to Cape York is an exhilarating experience, the road there is remote, often rough, and requires planning. Here only 4WD enthusiasts with experience in winching and digging out vehicles should venture forth in some areas. Even still, forethought is required if you want to make the journey a [...]
4WD Journeys
Cape York is renowned for its challenging and scenic 4WD routes. Most are closed in the wet season. Check road conditions as some journeys may remain inaccessible well after the wet season or be subject to local flooding. 4WD journeys require good clearance 4WD vehicles with off-road tyres and a repair/emergency kit.
Adventure 4WD Journeys
Adventure 4WD journeys require off-road 4WD experience as rough/steep/boggy terrain and deep creek crossings can be expected. Adventure 4WD journeys require a high clearance 4WD, extensive repair/emergency kit, winch and recovery gear and must have radio/satellite communications. GPS navigation is recommended. Tourism Cape York recommends Adventure 4WD journeys are undertaken by two or more vehicles travelling together. Check road conditions as some journeys may remain inaccessible well after the wet season or be subject to local flooding.
Local Knowledge
THIS WEBSITE AND THE CAPE YORK AND COOKTOWN VISITOR GUIDE IS NOT INTENDED AS THE TRIP GUIDE FOR REMOTE CAPE YORK 4WD AND ADVENTURE 4WD JOURNEYS. SEEK LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, DETAILED MAPS AND GUIDES.
For the inexperienced, a tagalong tour provides great local knowledge and gives confidence in 4WD conditions.
For the independent adventurer, do take good maps and guidebooks. Tourism Cape York recommends the Hema 4WD Explorer Cape York Map.
Ron and Viv Moon, Hema and FC4 publish guides to Cape York with trip notes and detailed route and locality maps.
Caravans and Trailers
Caravans can travel easily on the sealed inland routes to both Cooktown and Laura.
Heavy duty camper trailers are ideal for the unsealed road conditions of Cape York but check with the roadhouses for latest road condition updates before onward travel.
Only off-road ruggedised boat trailers are suitable for Cape York expeditions beyond the sealed highways (check adequate support/tiedowns for boat and outboard). Tourism Cape York recommends only high clearance off-road trailers are taken on Adventure 4WD Journeys.
Resources
