The experience of standing at the most northern tip of Australia at
Cape York ranks in various bucket lists as one of the “top things to do in Australia before you die”. This trek note provides the way and is designed as a day trip from Seisia including a visit to Punsand Bay, Cable Bay, and out to Somerset and Fly Point including the return journey. In all, almost 5 hours of driving time.
To reach the tip, you'll firstly head out to Bamaga then north up the main track passing the Croc Tent at Lockerbie Junction. If you stick to our route you'll be coming past this junction again so you have the choice of stopping now or later, or both (there's plenty to see).
The road that leads to the tip of
Cape York ends before reaching it so you'll need to get out and walk the last few hundred metres. The walk is very exposed and whilst it is well trodden, it is a natural path along dirt and later a rocky headland (no climbing involved). The walk is suitable for most people but sturdy footwear, sunscreen, and a hat is recommended but whatever you do, don't forget the camera and perhaps a tripod! Do not be tempted to swim here. You might however, like to walk back to the carpark via Frangipani Beach that lies to the west of the rocks.
The rest of our trek note route will allow you to visit the best of the tip in a day trip, so leaving the car park you'll head west out to Punsand Bay and then onto Cable Bay. Our trek will then guide you out to the Lockerbie Junction and Croc Tent, where you should stop if you haven't already. Here you can choose to head south back down the main track to Bamaga and Seisia or continue with our day tour and head up to Somerset and the beautiful Fly Point. You'll only backtrack 6.2km of track you've already done between the Croc Tent and Somerset Junction but the visit out to the east coast of
Cape York is very special. Be sure to ask the locals (at the Croc Tent) for a mud map and information about the 5 beaches run too. This side trip is not detailed in our trek note as things can vary so much we think its best you get local info but essentially you drive along the beaches, crossing the headlands between each one, drive through a tree tunnel, and cross a dune or two, and head inland past a few lakes. If you do this you might like to plan a night camping on Somerset Beach at the Aboriginal-owned camping ground, although many people manage to fit all this into a one-day trip from Seisia, so its up to you. If you do camp, be aware that there are toilets but no other facilities and fees are payable at a self-registration shelter.
If you stick with our trek note, you'll leave Somerset and head back to Bamaga and Seisia the same way you came having completed a full day. After completing this adventure you might like a quieter day in Seisia for some fishing or you could pick up another one of connecting
trek notes and head out to the old Bamaga airport area where you can see WW11 plane wreckage (link to come end Nov'13).
How to Use this Trek Note
If you'd like to download this Trek there are two options:
- purchase our app ExplorOz Traveller. This will allow you to download all the ExplorOz Trek Notes to your GPS enabled smartphone/tablet/iPad or laptop and enable active route guidance along the route we provide as per the Directions. The app also allows you to edit/customise the route. In the app you will get all the words, images and POIs for each Trek exactly as on the website (excludes Wildflowers). For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage.
- Alternatively, if you already have another mapping software program (or an HN7 device) you can try downloading the data files we provide via the Download Trek button at the top of this page (or purchase EOTreks Route Files). Be aware that this doesn't include maps or text just the route line.
TIP | To purchase our maps for offline use, you will need to purchase an EOTopo map licence (available either in App Version, or Raster Version). |
Environment
Cape York is the name of the most northern point of the Australian continent and is often referred to as "The Tip". In fact, the whole peninsula of land that lies above the 16°S latitude is called
Cape York Peninsula - this narrow peninsula is bound by the Coral sea to the east the Arafura sea and Gulf of Carpentaria to the west and the Torres Strait to the north. Locals however, refer to
Cape York "proper" as the area north of the Jardine river.
