DRIVING TO CAPE YORK

Four-wheel driving through the Cape York Peninsula to the top of Australia is an experience that will leave you with much more than just a camera roll full of memories (although this is a bonus!).

From red outback roads and prehistoric rock art collections to historic gold towns and bush cattle stations, your journey will be filled with Aboriginal culture and Australian pioneering history; not to mention, an abundance of iconic Australian flora and fauna that call this place home.

Cape York is the definition of remote, meaning preparation is key to having a safe and successful trip. Covering pre-departure research, what to pack, and how to stay safe

Cape York isn’t a destination where you set your GPS and hope for the best. Before you head off, you need to know the ins and outs of the drive and have all the necessary equipment to get from one point to another. Prepare thoroughly so that you and your travel companions know what to expect and be equipped to handle the terrain.

For ready-made routes, download the Queensland National Parks Journey Guide or the Tourism Cape York Visitor Guide.

At the very minimum, map your trip around Cape’s dry seasons; in the wet, the roads close and creek beds turn into thundering river systems as a result of the 2000m rainfall over the Iron Range. Pick a time to travel between June and October and you’ll be set for prime driving conditions.

The weather is ever-changing in this region, so bookmark the Queensland Government’s Park Alerts website to stay across access and road conditions during your travels.

Here are a few tips that help you to travel to Cape York:

• Pack a spare tyre

• Bring water

• Fuel up

• Pimp your ride

• Communications

• Safety in numbers

• Insurance

• Be croc wise

• It's an endless summer

• Snacks

• Don't forget your camera!