Accommodation in Cape York

There are a few different options for accommodation in Cape York.

Cape York peninsula covers an area almost the size of Victoria - one of the southern states in Australia with countless towns and accommodation options - while on the Cape York peninsula there are only a handful of towns.

t is possible to travel the Cape and stay only in hotels and resorts, but it cuts down your options to experience the wilderness of this remote area.

It is best to do like most Aussies and travel the Cape camping, and rely on other accommodation as little as possible.

Larger Towns

Larger towns such as Cairns, Port Douglas and Mareeba have a variety of hotels, resorts and similar places.

cairns motel


There is a huge variety of places in Cairns - from luxury hotels and holiday apartments, to resorts, bed and breakfasts, motels, and a good choice of backpacker hostels and caravan parks.

palm cove resort

Cairns Northern Beaches
There is also a lot of good accommodation on Cairns Northern Beaches. Palm Cove has the most choice, Trinity Beach is the second, and then Yorkeys Knob, Clifton Beach, and Kewarra and Holloways Beaches.
port douglas accommodation

Port Douglas
Port Douglas has probably an even better variety than Cairns when you consider its smaller size. But most is luxury and expensive, and budget options are harder to find.

mareeba hotels

Mareeba also has quite a few places nowadays, and as opposed to Port Douglas, many are very affordable, like old country hotels and budget camping in caravan parks.

Medium and Small Towns

Medium and small sized towns such as Mossman, Cooktown, Chillagoe, Lakeland, Laura, Coen, Weipa and Bamaga still have quite a few choices.

mossman hotels

Like Mareeba, Mossman still is a country town, more of a farming town than a tourism mecca and like Mareeba it has affordable accommodation in the old historical country pubs.

hotels in cooktown


Cooktown is smaller and less commercialised, but there is still a good choice of Cape York accommodation, including a few resorts and motels, a few hotels (pubs), a guesthouse, and four caravan parks.
chillagoe hotel

Chillagoe is also a smaller place, but there are still a fair few places to stay: two old country hotels, a motel and tourist village, a guesthouse and an eco lodge with a camping ground.

weipa caravan park

Weipa is more expensive and has less choice. There is at least one resort (in Nanum) and one hotel (Albatross in Trunding). So far there is still only one camping ground (in Nanum).

bamaga resort

Bamaga does not have camping grounds (there are some in the neighbouring communities). But it has a four star resort - with a swimming pool, a licensed bar and an onsite restaurant.

Roadhouse Accommodation Cape York

Smaller places with no township or community only have a lonely roadhouse and these are fun places.

palmer river roadhouse

Palmer River Roadhouse
is north of Mt Carbine and it is a great place to stay. There is a nice beer garden, a restaurant and a licenced bar, and you can stay in on-site tents or camp on camping grounds.

hann river roadhouse

Hann River Roadhouse
is a nice and friendly place north of Lakeland Downs and Laura. There is a large camping ground, and behind the camping ground is a nice waterhole. There is a resident emu and a few peacocks to give you company :-)

musgrave roadhouse

Musgrave Roadhouse is a historical roadhouse north of Hann River. There is cabin accommodation as well as a large camping ground. There is also a kiosk where you can buy bread and milk, meals and a cold beer, and even takeaway food.

archer river roadhouse

Archer River Roadhouse is quite a lively roadhouse north of Coen. There is a great restaurant and a licensed bar, which gets quite crowded night time. Behind the bar and the restaurant is a large camping ground as well as overnight units.

Farmstays, Cattle Stations and FREE Camping

Some privately owned farms and cattle stations have some great Cape York accommodation - most often camping but sometimes also cabin style.

cape york station stay cape york station camping

But better than anything - there is also some great FREE camping - all the spots are listed in detail in the Destination Guide.

free camping cape york free camping cape york

On the photos here are a few examples on some lovely FREE camping :-)

cape york free camping cape york free camping

Freshwater spots are great for a dip, while saltwater ones are great for fishing and croc spotting.

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