Cape York had always been one of those places I admired from afar. I’d watch videos, read stories and see photos of people standing at the Tip, but I never truly believed I’d make the journey myself.
The truth is, I was scared of it.
I worried about the road conditions, damaging our car, worried about the impact of dragging our caravan all the way to one of the most remote parts of Australia. We had very little four-wheel-driving experience, and every story seemed to involve breakdowns, creek crossings, missing wheels, corrugations or vehicles limping their way home.
For years, those worries kept Cape York firmly in the “one day” category.
But standing at the northernmost point of mainland Australia, looking out across the Torres Strait, I realised that all those doubts had been replaced by something else entirely.
Pride.
Because somehow, despite all the reasons not to do it, we’d made it.
And it was even better than I imagined.
The drive north is unlike anywhere else in Australia. Every day brought a new landscape, but what struck me most was the incredible contrast of colours. The rich deep red dirt roads stretched endlessly beneath brilliant blue skies, while dense greenery crowded the edges of the track. At times it felt almost unreal, as though someone had turned up the saturation on the entire landscape. Photos don’t quite do it justice – it’s something you need to experience for yourself.
For our final stop before tackling the Tip, we based ourselves at Punsand Bay, and I couldn’t think of a better place to finish the journey north.
Set amongst tropical palms and overlooking the turquoise waters of the Torres Strait, Punsand Bay feels like a little oasis at the top of Australia. Waking up to the sound of the ocean, watching the sunset over the bay and sharing stories with fellow travellers about creek crossings, breakdowns, fishing trips, croc sightings and adventures made it feel like a destination in its own right, not just a stop on the journey.
The sites are spacious, giving you plenty of room to spread out and relax. Multiple amenity blocks around the park mean you’re never far from a shower, and the laundry quickly became one of our favourite features. You don’t realise how important a washing machine is until every piece of clothing you own is covered in Cape York’s famous red dirt.
One of the standout features is, of course, the location. Many of the sites enjoy beautiful ocean views, and the beach is literally only a few steps away. Whether you’re watching the sunrise, taking a stroll along the shoreline or simply sitting outside with a coffee, it’s hard to beat the setting.
The Corrugation Bar and Restaurant is the social hub of the campground and serves delicious food and cocktails!
And then there’s the pool.
After weeks of heat, humidity, dust and driving, that pool felt like absolute heaven. It also became a bit of an afternoon meeting place to swap stories about the day’s adventures.
Punsand Bay is so much more than just a place to stay. It’s a community. From Lakeland to the Tip we saw the same travellers, not travelling in a convoy but all having our own experiences as we head towards a common goal. When you arrive at Punsand, you’re greeted by friends. Forever bonded by this experience.
No trip to the Tip would be complete without a stop at the iconic croc tent. The croc tent is your one stop shop for all things Cape York. Yes, there’s merchandise, but what’s far more valuable is the local knowledge that you get when you visit the croc tent.
I also finally got Warren and me in matching shirts. Another big achievement.
The walk to the famous sign isn’t particularly long, but it felt significant with every step. After all the planning, the corrugations, the dust, the ferry crossings and the kilometres travelled, finally seeing that sign brought a feeling that’s difficult to put into words.
A sense of achievement. Relief. And most of all, Pride.
We made it!
The Tip may be the goal, but it’s everything that happens along the way that makes Cape York unforgettable.
As we left Punsand Bay and began heading south, I couldn’t help but look in the mirror one last time. The roads would become smoother, the red dirt would eventually wash off the caravan, and life would return to normal.
But something about reaching the Tip changes you.
Maybe it’s because you’ve finally ticked off a dream that sat on the “one day” list for so long.
Lani Day
Lani and Warren are currently travelling through Far North Queensland in their caravan, discovering unique stays and falling in love with the region along the way.
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