Cape York tag-along with 4×4 Australia Magazine’s Ron Moon

We’re bringing Ron & Viv Moon out of retirement to give you a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel Cape York with Australian 4WD legends.

This two week journey has been put together with the experience of 44 Cape York trips and 13 editions of their famous Cape York guide books. Ron was editor for 4×4 Australia Magazine for 15 years and continues as editor at large today, they’ve mapped vast areas of Australia and written guides for Hema Maps while Viv has published multiple outdoor cookbooks and had a regular cooking column in 4X4 Mag for 25 years.

We asked Ron to put together the trip he would do himself if he had two weeks on Cape York so you can rest assured you are going to experience the very best the area has to offer.

Along the way Ron & Viv will be sharing their knowledge and experience, the history, aboriginal art & heritage, fishing holes and access to areas you won’t find in any guide book.

Cape York – Cooktown to the Tip ending Mareeba

Day 0 – Own arrangements

Meet at Cooktown in the evening before trip begins, camp at Orchid CP in heart of town, go to the pub for dinner to share some beers and get to know each other. 

You will need to book your own accommodation and pay for any meals.

Day 1 – Lunch & Dinner (Breakfast, own arrangements. Most of us will go to the bakery)

Battlecamp Rd to Lakefield NP – Camp at Hann Crossing

Early explorers, geologists and surveyors, including Kennedy, Hann, Mulligan, Logan Jack, Bradford and Embley, traversed parts of what is now Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park in the mid to late 1800s.

Hann Crossing is named after the explorer William Hann, who was employed by the Queensland Government to explore Cape York Peninsula in 1872. He had with him a geologist, Norman Taylor, and they found a little gold in the sandy bed of the Palmer River. The find attracted the attention of James Venture Mulligan, an experienced prospector, who followed Hann’s footsteps and struck it rich. The Palmer Gold Rush began in 1873.

Day 2 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

To Running Creek  – camp on beach

A fun 4WD track with some challenges along the way from soft sand, creek and river crossings, as well as some swampy areas that can be tricky after rain.

Day 3 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Running Creek Tk to Coen and onto Merluna HS (camp)

Merluna Station is a 416,000 Acre cattle station with camping and accommodation facilities. The area has a prolific birdlife of migrating & endemic birds that can be seen at the campground, along the rainforest encroached creek and lagoons within walking distance of your campsite.

With plenty of wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, brumbies, reptiles of all sizes including the frill necked lizards and saltwater crocodiles. If you are lucky you may even see a Cuscus along the creek.

Day 4 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. River Cruise.

Merluna HS to Weipa. Sunset cruise with Western Cape Eco Tours – (Camp at Weipa caravan park)

Cruise the tranquil waters of the Embley River into the golden glow of a sunset over the water, whilst enjoying a cold drink and canapes, your friendly guide will spot crocodiles and birds along the way.

Day 5 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Mine tour (8.30am – 2.5 hours.) Lunch then leave for Bertiehaugh, via Stone Crossing (Camp)

Situated on the Wenlock River, Stones Crossing is about 71km north-east of Weipa and located on Napranum land and has some magnificent camping areas.

Day 6 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Bertiehaugh HS and Jardine station ruins. Camp at Bramwell station tourist park (camp)

Bramwell Station is Australia’s most norther cattle station and a great place to unwind and enjoy a cold beer.

Day 7 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

OLD TELEGRAPH  TRACK to south bank of Jardine River (camp).

Breathtaking lookouts, magnificent waterfalls, dense rainforest and ancient Antarctic beech trees. The park is part of Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage area.

Until the Jardine River Ferry was instituted, vehicles had to drive across this fast-flowing 140m wide saltwater crocodile-infested river. These days, a few crazy travellers still wade across the metre-plus deep water and attempt the crossing. However, the Injinoo Aboriginal community have requested that travellers do not cross, as a man was killed by a crocodile in 1993 swimming out to the ferry with a replacement part.

Day 8 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

To Bamaga (via ferry) and onto Somerset (camp)

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

Day 9 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Beach run south, then to Tip, and return to Seisia (Camp)

Day 10 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private charter day trip to Thursday Island – (Camp at Seisia)

Start your day at Seisia joining Cape York Adventures on board the Strait Runner. A Moon Tours private charter cruise through Torres Strait on a dedicated tour vessel to Thursday Island.

Thursday Island, colloquially known as TI, or in the native language, Waiben, is an island of the Torres Strait Islands archipelago located approximately 39 kilometres north of Cape York Peninsula. It has an area of about 3.5 square kilometres. The Muralag peoples are the traditional owners of the land and seas surrounding Thursday Island.

Day 11 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

South Via Bypass Roads to Coen – big day – 540km. (camp behind pub)

Day 12 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Coen to Laura (lunch) and onto Old Coach Road to Jowalbinna Rock Art camp (camp) Rock art tour with Steve Trezise. 

World-class Aboriginal rock art and wonderful locally-grown coffee are two of the drawcards of the small towns of Laura and Lakeland. This area is renowned for the famous Quinkan Rock Art Galleries, which are considered to be some of the most significant Aboriginal art sites in the world.

Day 13 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Old Coach Rd to Maytown (lunch) then onto Mitchell River crossing – SW of Mt Carbine (camp)

Old Coach Road. This track climbs up and over the range, delivering steep ascents and descents on rocky terrain, and includes unnerving washouts and rutted sections.

Day 14 – Breakfast & lunch ONLY

To Mt Mulligan & Thornborough Goldfields (lunch), optional tour of Tyconnell Gold mine and stamper. On to Marreeba (Camp and farewell dinner)

SAMPLE MENU

Professional chef prepared meals includes tea and coffee, breakfast, morning tea, lunch, antipasto and dinner. Think pork belly, poached eggs benedict, home made bread and baguettes, roast lamb. See an example menu below.

Each vehicle will be required to have a good fridge and will be given a food pack from the chef to carry. You will be required to carry your own personal snacks, water and beverages of your choice as well as your own cuttlery.