Cruising Helmsman - July 2018

Croc on a rock

10

Cruising Helmsman July 2018

DESTINATION

QUEENSLAND

THE top of what you may ask? The top of

Australia and, for a lot of people, the very

tip of Australia is the highlight of the trip.

Cape York is not only the name of the

peninsula, it is the name of the cape on the

northernmost point of the Australian mainland.

It does get a little confusing at first, the big piece

of mainland is called Cape York Peninsula and

on the very tip is Cape York proper.

It is a ruggedly beautiful place on the northern

most tip of a rocky headland, about 15 minutes’

walk from the beach over a well-worn track.

There are some picturesque views out over York

and Eborac Islands and in the background

is the blue green waters of Torres Strait.

On the very tip of Cape York is the sign stating,

‘You are standing at the northernmost point of

the Australian continent’. I am sure if you were

there on a day where the wind and seas were

up you could get wet trying to take a photo at

the sign as the sea tried to funnel between the

mainland and York Island.

For many people, the tip of Australia and

having your photo taken while standing next

to the sign, is the target of the whole Cape York

trip: been there done that and have a photo to

at the top