So Much To See And Do

OK you got the Ferry across the Jardine (Adai) River and you have landed.

Where to next?

Your ferry ticket might seem expensive but it allows you to camp for free in many places. It covers the area from the Dulhunty River to the Jardine River mouth and all the places north. It does not include commercial campgrounds.

Please remember that the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) has alcohol cartage limits. For the latest alcohol restrictions go to the Queensland Government website.

Respect for Land and Culture

When you reach the northern banks of the Jardine River you are on land that belong to Traditional Owners.

Please show respect for the land. Free camping areas are provided with the permission of the Traditional Owners.

Many families in the NPA have campsites bordering beaches where they fish and hunt. Please respect these areas as they are not open for general camping.

Jardine River Ferry

NPA Regional Council operates the Jardine River Ferry service.

It operates 7 days a week from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm with the exception of some public/gazetted holidays.

Your ferry ticket may be purchased at the ferry or online prior to arrival.

During the wet season the ferry may be taken out of the water for maintenance.

Be sure to have a yarn with the locals you operate the Ferry. You will learn a lot about Cape York

  • Fuel
  • Water
  • Camping
  • Toilets
  • Internet
  • Dogs allowed

Camping Northern Bank of Jardine (Adai) River

On the northern banks of the Jardine River you will find a number of camping areas. All of them are in the Jardine River National Park.  Access to the campsites is 11km north of the ferry.

There are no facilities and no mobile phone reception. So be sure to do the right thing and help preserve these pristine areas. 

You must your camping via National Parks. There is a limit by vehicle and number of people camping.

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Camping on the Northern Bank of the Jardine (Adai) River

On the northern banks of the Jardine River you will find a number of camping areas. All of them are in the Jardine River National Park.  Access to the campsites is 11km from the ferry.

There are no facilities and no mobile phone reception. So be sure to do the right thing and help preserve these pristine areas. 

You must your camping via National Parks. There is a limit by vehicle and number of people camping.

Ussher Point

Once you get off the Jardine River Ferry you will find a track on the right 14km up Bamaga Road. It has a sign saying ‘Ussher Point’.

The 60km track takes you through scrub, rainforest and coastal heathland. At the end of the track you will see the spectacular white sandy beaches and the bauxite cliffs.

The track can take you up to 3 hours. And be prepared for a few scratches on your vehicle.

This area is in Jardine River Resources Area. There are 4 campsites and you will need to book before you arrive. Remember there is no internet once you leave the Ferry.

Fork in the Road

24km from the Jardine Ferry is a fork in the road.

If you take the left arm will see you heading to the Mutee Head junction.

If you take the left arm you will end up at Injinoo, then Umagico and end up at Bamaga. Bamaga is the commercial hub for the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA). The road is tarred for a few km before you get to Injinoo. And it continues to be tarred all the way to Seisia.

If you take the right arm you will be heading north. It brings you out onto Airport Road. The wreck of the DC3 Plane is on the right just near the T junction.

At the T junction if you turn left you end up in Bamaga. If you turn right you end up at the airport.

North of the Jardine River Fork in the Rd - Explore Cape York

Mutee Head

This is great place for camping.

You take the turn off 26km on the left from the Jardine Ferry.

There is beach camping and lots of WWII history.

If you continue along the track past the radar tower up the hill track it brings you out to the mouth of the Jardine River. This track is soft sand and so you will need a 4WD.

  • Camping
  • Campfires allowed
  • Dogs allowed

Injinoo Community

If you continue north on Bamaga Road past the Mutee Head turn off sign you will end up in Injinoo.

This is the first of 5 small towns in the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA).

It has about 500 people living there. There is a school, church and service station.

It is the home of 5 tribal groups that are custodians for all of the country north of the 12th parallel south on Cape York Peninsula.

NOTE: All aerial images have been taken by Stanley Elu who live in Injinoo and takes amazing images with his drone.

  • Fuel
  • Boat Ramp

Umagico/Alau

Umagico is also known as Alau. It has 400 residents and it has a supermarket

Alau Campgrounds and Lodge offers waterfront shaded powered and unpowered campsites. There are shelters, a kiosk and laundry facilities.

Great for caravans and camper trailers.

  • Budget Cabins
  • Caravans – powered and unpowered
  • Camping
  • Toilets
  • Showers
  • Laundry
  • Internet
  • Campfires allowed
  • Dogs allowed

Bamaga (Ichuru)

Bamaga is one of the northernmost towns on mainland Australia with an official population of 600 and only 34 kms short of the Tip.

It’s the commercial and service centre for the NPA with a short but fascinating history of guts, determination, survival and cooperation.

Jackey Jackey Creek & Escape River

Almost to the Tip on the east coast you have the Jackey Jackey creek system and Escape River.

Don’t be fooled by the word creek. Jackey Jackey is more like an ocean.

On the way to the airport is a track off the right. This will take you down to the boat ramp at Fishbone Creek. Best to check the tides before you go as the ramp is not always accessible.

Once you have launched and headed out into Newcastle Bay you can access Albany and Turtle Head Islands. It is a fishing paradise.

Bamaga (Ichuru)

Bamaga is one of the northernmost towns on mainland Australia with an official population of 600 and only 34 kms short of the Tip.

It’s the commercial and service centre for the NPA with a short but fascinating history of guts, determination, survival and cooperation.

New Mapoon (Mandingu)

New Mapoon is located between Bamaga and Seisia. And has about 300 residents.  It was settled when the people of Mapoon were forcibly removed in the early 1960’s.

The Mapoon people have strong ties to their traditional home, and some have moved back to resettle in that area.

Coming from Seisia you’ll Cape York Ice & Tackle on the left. It’s a one stop shop for fishing gear. They also have accommodation with a 3 bedroom house, cabins and a pool.

Going past the Tackle place the next turn left is New Mapoon. Visit the Historical Centre to learn about the history.

Almost At The Tip

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Almost At The Tip

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Loyalty Beach

The Loyalty Beach Campground turn off is on the right shortly before heading into Seisia. It’s has a big sign to mark the turn off.

Loyalty has the renowned DJ’s beach garden restaurant. Every Sunday night it’s fish’n’chips event. It is a must and you’ll get to us locals.

It is spread over 6 hectares and is all beach front.

  • Lodge rooms and bungalows
  • Caravan – Powered and Unpowered
  • Camping – Powered and Unpowered
  • Showers
  • Toilets
  • Laundry
  • Meals
  • Licensed Bar
  • Internet
  • Dogs allowed
  • Campfires allowed

Seisia (Ithangee)

Seisia (Ithangee) pronounced say-see-ah.

Seisia it used to be known as Red Island Point. It has 300 people living there permanently.

With its beach side campground, community supermarket, service station, and easy access to the rest of the Northern Peninsula Area, it’s little wonder Seisia is so popular.

For an unforgettable dining experience check out Seisia Kiosk and Restaurant located in the campground.

Free Bird Art & Crafts is also located in the campground. It’s a unique gift shop with hand crafted souvenirs made from local materials.

Seisia Fishing Club is opposite the supermarket and it sits almost on the beach. Open from 5.30pm Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Mark and his crew at Top End Motors are here to help you with any rig issues.

From Seisia you can take a tour to one of the nearby island. See our Island and Tours page for more information.

Croc Tent

On your way to Pajinka, The Tip you will see the Croc Tent on the left.

It is on the corner of Pajinka Road and Punsand Bay Road.

It’s the place where you can get souvenirs and information.

From here you can turn left onto Punsand Bay Road and head to Punsand Bay and Roonga Point. Or you can continue on up to Pajinka, The Tip.

Croc Tent - Explore Cape York

Roonga Point

Roonga Point is beautiful. And a must do north of the Jardine River.

A great place to free camp as there are no facilities. and it is not a place you could get a large caravan into. Camper trailers for sure.

It’s 28km from Bamaga and close to Pajinka, The Tip.

The turnoff to the track is 9km in from the Croc Tent on the Punsand Bay road. Then 3km along a sandy track.

  • Camping
  • Campfires allowed
  • Dogs allowed

Punsand Bay

Punsand Bay Campground has a stunning stretch of beach.

It is a commercial campground and is close Pajinka, The Tip. You camp, there is caravan sites, safari tents and cabins with ensuites.

It has a fully licensed restaurant and bar and swimming pool.

  • Cabins
  • Caravan sites
  • Camping
  • Toilets
  • Showers
  • Campfires allowed
  • Licensed Bar
  • Swimming Pool

Roma Flat

North along the coast from Punsand is the Roma Flats track.

It’s a narrow sandy track that brings you out onto Pajinka Road close to Pajinka, The Tip.

This track is fairly easy in the dry. But there are a couple of sections that require a bit more .

Somerset

On the way up to Pajinka (The Tip) you will see a fork in the road.

If you turn right you will end up at Fly Point. It’s a rocky headland and definitely worth braving the extra corrugations.

On the way to Fly Point or on the way back to Pajinka is Somerset Beach. It’s a small track on the left on your way to Fly Point. Or on the right if you are coming from Fly Point.

This is special beach and camping area. With beautiful views across to Albany Island. From March to October it can get very windy.

This area has a lot of history so worth taking your time to look around.

  • Toilets
  • Camping
  • Campfires allowed
  • Dogs allowed

Five Beaches

It’s almost one of the most northern beach drives you can do on mainland Australia.

And that means it’s a bucket list ‘gotta do’, so what are you waiting for!

As the name suggests you 4WD your way across 5 beaches.

The climbs out onto the headlands are combinations of sand and rock.

But as 4WD tracks go they’re fairly easy if you know what you’re doing (and for some, even if you don’t!).

Pajinka

Pajinka and the traditional spelling is Panjinka.

Pajinka is both the traditional name of the area encompassing the Tip of Cape York. And the name of the now derelict resort Pajinka Wilderness Lodge.

Following several changes in ownership the Pajinka Wilderness Lodge finally closed in 2002.

This was after a generator fire that meant water could no longer be pumped to the site. 

** Photos kindly supplied by Gary Wright, fishing guide.

The Tip, Pajinka

It’s a strange feeling knowing that you are standing on the northern most point of Australia. Strange in a in great way.

The journey you will have had to get here will surely be something you’ll never forget.

Getting there is a 45 minute drive from BP Bamaga on the red dirt.

There are three tracks to The Tip from the carpark. The first is directly up and over the rock face.

The second which you can only do at low tide, is a walk along the beach past the mangroves.

And the third is walking on the high side of the mangroves.

When you get to the top of the hill you have amazing 180 degree views. To the east if Frangipani Bay. And on a bright sunny day the view is stunning.

  • Toilets
  • Dogs allowed