The most frequently asked question by self drive tourists is........how long does it take to get to Cape York ?......... the answer is.........how long is a piece of string?

The road distance from Cairns direct to the Tip is about 900 kms. Depending on how many detours and side tracks you take, overnight stops and other activities you encounter along the way, etc., etc.; determines the time taken to get to the Tip!

As a rule of thumb, a good 2 weeks return from Cairns to the Tip is a good holiday, longer if you have the time. It is impossible to visit all the great locations in one short visit. By carefully planning your time and itinerary you can experience most of the fascinating places and activities the region has to offer. For the self drive enthusiast, a sturdy well maintained and prepared Four Wheel Drive ( 4WD ) vehicle is needed and should you have to tow a trailer, make sure it is a purpose built off road type. The roads in Cape York are some of the roughest in the country! A selection of essential spare parts should be carried without overloading your vehicle. All major towns have vehicle repair facilities, however spare parts may have to be flown in from Cairns. It would be wise to have an understanding of your car's mechanics and be able to carry out on road repairs. Make sure that your vehicle is fully serviced before embarking on the journey and again for the return home journey as you will be driving in some very extreme conditions and a well serviced car will give you much satisfaction during your holiday.

You may wish to brush up on your off-road driving skills before heading to the Cape. A professional Four Wheel Drive ( 4WD ) driving course is recommended and will give you the confidence to explore the Cape's more remote areas with confidence.

Communications are important, ideally, an HF radio is recommended, however, satellite phones are becoming very popular. Either of these can be hired for the duration of your trip. CDMA mobile phones now work in some areas of Cape York and the Gulf Savannah, however, service is limited to major centres, Weipa, Cooktown, Coen, Bamaga, Thursday Island, Torres Strait, Normanton, Karumba, Croydon and Georgetown. A CB radio for inter-vehicle communications is worthwhile.

Road conditions in the region can change rapidly so be prepared for the unexpected, adjust your driving speed for a safe and comfortable journey. The Savannah Way from Cairns to Normanton and Karumba is sealed but is narrow in some sections and there are some very long distances between towns, The Cape York Development Road is unsealed for most of the way, however, there are a few small sections of sealed road. With heavy traffic unsealed road surfaces can become severely corrugated and break up into deep dust holes very rapidly. Road gangs work throughout the dry season to repair and maintain the roads.

Should you wish to go exploring the more remote areas, a good map is essential together with some local knowledge, it is wise to ask fellow travellers about road conditions and river crossings. Most Four Wheel Drive ( 4WD ) drivers are only too happy to tell the stories of the track. For the most up to date road information throughout the region log onto the Cook Shire at: www.cook.qld.gov.au