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Thoughtful Traveller Information Kit

Overview

Cape York Peninsula is a dream destination, the ultimate road-trip, for people who love four-wheel-driving, fishing and camping. Visitor numbers increase every year, and most take good care of the place. But a small minority are causing problems for other visitors, the region and its people.

These serious problems include illegal access to private land, camping in culturally and ecologically sensitive areas, arson, wildfires, dumping rubbish and spreading weeds. These unwelcome behaviours affect locals and visitors alike, and could lead to visitor restrictions and track or camp closures.

The tips in this guide will help you be a thoughtful traveller and minimise your impact on the Cape.

Data and Resources

How to be a thoughtful traveller—Complete Guide
pdfGuide

3.13 MB

The Cape York Keep It Clean project is an initiative of Thoughtful Travelling Cape York. This project is supported by Cape York NRM and the Queensland Government’s Litter and Illegal Dumping Community and Industry Partnerships Program.

Thoughtful Travelling Cape York is an alliance of Cape York organisations working together to reduce the damaging environmental impacts caused by people travelling on Cape York.

These organisations include Cape York Natural Resource Management, South Cape York Catchments, Tangaroa Blue, Cook Shire Council, Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Inc, Weipa and Western Cape Tourism, Lama Lama Rangers, Yuku Baja Muliku Land Trust, Tourism Cape York, Department of Environment and Science, Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance, Wenlock Catchment Management Group and Regional and Remote Newspapers.

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Camping Map
pdfGuide

209.45 KB

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Other Information
pdfGuide

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WEATHER INFORMATION

Bureau of Metrology (BOM)

http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/index.shtml?ref=hdr

BOM Townsville Field Office
Phone: (07) 4779 5999 (during office hours)

EMERGENCIES

You’ll be travelling in remote areas, often on unsealed roads. It can be slow going, and that means emergency response takes longer than in cities and towns.

Mobile phone coverage is limited on Cape York. Consider carrying a satellite phone, a PLB (Personal Location Beacon) and UHF two-way radio. Learn how to use them before you travel. Read the instruction manuals, and check out online resources likehttp://www.withoutahitch.com.au/travel/uhf-cb-radi o-communications-which-channels-australia/

for UHF radio, and for satellite phones

https://www.outdoria.com.au/blog/how-to-choose-a -satellite-phone

NATIONAL EMERGENCY REQUEST - AMBULANCE, POLICE OR FIRE

  • From land line dial: 000
  • From mobile phone dial: 112
  • State Emergency Service: 132 500

Provide as much information as you can about your location. Use your odometer to calculate distance from towns or landmarks. Try to maintain awareness of where you are, in case you need to call for help.

GPS coordinates can help emergency responders find you fast.

Rural Fire Service - Cairns Office Phone: (07) 4232 5468
Email: RFSQ.Cairns@qfes.qld.gov.au

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Cultural Considerations
pdfGuide

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Cape York Peninsula is a region of ancient and continuing cultural landscapes, with countless significant places. Well over 50% of the region is privately owned and managed by Traditional Owners.

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Wildlife
pdfGuide

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Cape York has a wonderful diversity of native animals and birdlife not found anywhere else on Earth. All native wildlife is protected, no matter where it is located.

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Weeds
pdfGuide

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Invasive weeds are choking the Cape. They love to hitch a ride on your vehicles, clothes and tents. They are an increasing threat to native plants and animals, farm crops and to the region’s cultural heritage.

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Fire
pdfGuide

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Any fire left to burn can soon become a dangerous wildfire. These can move quickly through thousands of hectares of country, threatening or damaging homes, livestock and ecosystems.

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Boating
pdfGuide

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The coasts, rivers and waterways of Cape York Peninsula are great places to go boating. There are many things you can do to ensure your safety, and minimise your impact on the environment.

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Driving
pdfGuide

437.2 KB

Most of the Cape's roads are unsealed. Driving on them contributes to soil erosion which causes damage to the environment, farming land, waterways, infrastructure and cultural heritage.

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Washing
pdfGuide

456.56 KB

Personal care products, including soaps, detergents and toothpaste, are harmful to fish and other aquatic life. Even biodegradable products can cause harm.

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