jay.bayne.currie

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TRACK, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CAPE YORK ATLAS & GUIDE: http://bit.ly/capeguide

GRADING: This track requires low range and high ground clearance.

THE DRIVE: Taking a minimum of 4 days, the turnoff to Oyala Thumotang National Park (formerly Mungkan Kandju National Park) is 25km north of Coen on the Peninsula Development Road. Most of the drive is on flattish tracks that run through open woodland with abundant termite mounds along the roadside; though it is interspersed with pockets of rainforest and runs alongside lily-topped lagoons in places.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TRACK, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CAPE YORK ATLAS & GUIDE: http://bit.ly/capeguide

GRADING: This track requires low range and high ground clearance.

THE DRIVE: This trip usually takes two days or more, running from the Jardine River Ferry to Ussher Point. The track is often tight, with overhanging rainforest pressing in on you as you make your way out to the coast. There are numerous wrecks which line the coast, which makes it good for beachcombing. There's also great fishing opportunities for anyone with a rod, with a lack of fishing pressure making a good catch never too far away.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TRACK, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CAPE YORK ATLAS & GUIDE: http://bit.ly/capeguide

GRADING: This track requires low range and high ground clearance.

THE DRIVE: This trip usually takes two days, running from Seisa to the Tip's east coast. Stop in at the Croc Tent on the way to the Somerset ruins before heading to Nanthau Beach via Fly Point and Vallack Point.

Somerset was one of the earliest settlements on the Cape, established in 1864. John Jardine was placed in charge of the settlement, and after an epic 10-month cattle drive from Rockhampton to Somerset, his son Frank Jardine would continue the family connection to this settlement until 1873.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TRACK, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CAPE YORK ATLAS & GUIDE: http://bit.ly/capeguide

GRADING: This track requires low range, high ground clearance, traction aids and recovery gear.

THE DRIVE: The northern section of Cape York's Old Telegraph Track runs from Bamaga Road to the Jardine River Ferry. Fruit Bat Falls is a must-visit detour to the right at the beginning of the track. After this point, the track runs straight until the turnoff for Eliot, Twin and Indian Head Falls, after which comes Canal Creek. This section of the track is one of the best parts of Cape York, with the waterfalls making an ideal photographic and swim spot, and Canal Creek offers a clear, deep blue crossing that winds to the left to avoid the washed out gullies of the old exit to the right. After Canal is Sam Creek, then the more difficult Mistake Creek, followed by the reasonably simple Cannibal Creek crossing. From here is a long drive to the biggest obstacle south of the Jardine: Nolan's Brook. After Nolan's, the track continues north to the old Jardine River ford, or the turnoff to the Bamaga Rd to catch the Jardine Ferry.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TRACK, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CAPE YORK ATLAS & GUIDE: http://bit.ly/capeguide

GRADING: This track requires low range, high ground clearance, traction aids and recovery gear, and contains deep creek crossings and slippery, steep river banks.

THE DRIVE: The southern section of the Old Telegraph Track can take one to two days, depending on your personal preference and the OTT's seasonal track conditions. The first major obstacle is Palm Creek, followed by Ducie Creek, Dulhunty River, Bertie Creek, Gunshot, Cockatoo Creek and Sailor Creek - leaving little wonder as to why it's one of Australia's most famed tracks. Palm Creek and Gunshot are the most challenging crossings, while the Dulhunty offers plenty of swimming opportunities before ending the track at Fruit Bat Falls.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TRACK, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CAPE YORK ATLAS & GUIDE: http://bit.ly/capeguide

GRADING: This track requires low range, high ground clearance, traction aids and recovery gear.

THE DRIVE: Ideal as either a day trip or overnighter, Frenchmans Track is a challenging and scenic track that is rife with stony and slippery surfaces, steep grades and deep river crossings. It is worth combining this trip with a drive out to Kutini Payamu National Park.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TRACK, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CAPE YORK ATLAS & GUIDE: http://bit.ly/capeguide

GRADING: As far as tracks throughout Cape York go, the trip to Kutini-Payamu is straightforward, only requiring AWD more often than not.

THE DRIVE: The drive isn't a difficult one, other than some creek crossings that can be rocky. It's worth taking a walk around the Batavia Gold Mine ruins, and spending some time camping at Rainforest, Gordon Creek, Cooks Hut and Chili Beach.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TRACK, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CAPE YORK ATLAS & GUIDE: http://bit.ly/capeguide

GRADING: This track requires low range and high ground clearance, with steep-banked dry creek crossings.

THE DRIVE: The track begins on the Peninsula Development Road (PDR) just north of Laura, with a large sign for Jowalbinna marking the turn. The track heads through open woodlands, which are broken by sandstone escarpments carved by water and wind. There are plenty of steep grades, rough surfaces and rock steps on offer throughout, which makes this one of Cape York's most epic and more traditional tracks.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TRACK, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CAPE YORK ATLAS & GUIDE: http://bit.ly/capeguide

GRADING: This track requires low range, high ground clearance, traction aids and recovery gear. Be warned: this is a remote area with no supplies or reliable water sources.

THE DRIVE: This trip will take at least 4 days, with 233km from Cooktown to Cape Melville, or 376km from Cooktown to Bathurst Head. The run from Cooktown to Battle Camp Road is mainly bitumen and in good condition, with the track dropping into deep rainforest before opening up to a wide graded track until after Starcke Station. After that, it becomes a true 4WD track, with washouts, bulldust, potholes and stone shelves, making it a hard slog to reach Cape Melville.