<p><b>Archer Point</b></p>
<p>Located about 20 km outside Cooktown signposted from the Mulligan Highway. Often windy, this is a popular spot for kite surfers. As the 3 beaches are all facing a different direction there is always a calm beach to relax on. From the beach at low tide you can walk out to the reef and snorkel off the point, but beware of crocodiles and stingers. This is a great camping spot if you are entirely self-sufficient – the views are spectacular (unsealed access road). </p>
<p><b>Finch Bay and Cherry Tree Bay</b></p>
<p> Finch Bay – Pam Davey</p>
<p>These are the two local beaches in Cooktown. Although you can drive to <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/beaches/finchbay">Finch Bay</a>, just 2 km past the Botanic Gardens entrance and car park, there is delightful short bush walk through the Gardens. <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/beaches/cherry_tree_bay">Cherry Tree Bay</a> is only accessible by foot through the Botanic Gardens or from the Grassy Hill road.</p>
<p><b>Quarantine Bay</b></p>
<p>A 5km drive from Cooktown – turn off the Mulligan Highway to Quarantine and Walker Bay then continue past the Golf Course turn off. The beach is pebbly here and situated at the base of Mt Cook the backdrop is a rainforest covered slope. </p>
<p><b>Walker Bay</b></p>
<p>Walker Bay is accessed by a road on the right just after the golf course entrance. The beach is located at the mouth of the Annan River and long sandy stretches snake north along the coastline. This is a beach favoured by anglers as they fish the sand bars at the mouth of the River, and also a renowned favourite amongst kite surfers. </p>
<p><b>Weary Bay</b></p>
<p>Named by Captain Cook’s crew in 1770 Weary Bay is an open, nine km long bay at the mouth of the Bloomfield River and a popular fishing spot for the locals.</p>
<p>Weary Bay beach is an ideal spot for a long leisurely walk and access is from Weary Bay road in Ayton.</p>
<p><b>Elim Beach and Coloured Sands</b></p>
<p>Past Hopevale is the beautiful <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/go/hopevale/index">Elim Beach</a> overlooking Cape Bedford.</p>
<p> Somerset Beach, Queensland. Courtesy of Tourism Queensland</p>
<p><b>Cape York Beaches</b></p>
<p>Beyond Cooktown there are accessible beaches at <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/np/cape-melville">Cape Melville National Park</a>. A popular camping site is found at <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/np/iron-range-national-park">Chilli Beach</a> in the Iron Range National Park.</p>
<p>Near Seisa and Bamaga there are several lovely beaches including Punsand Bay, Loyalty Beach and Somerset Beach.</p>
<p>Albatross Bay provides a scenic coastal retreat at Weipa.</p>
<h3>Important advice!</h3>
<p>Crocodiles can be found around many rivers, freshwater creeks and waterholes and along coastal beaches. Fortunately our conservation measures are working so always be croc wise and ask for local advice before going near the water.</p>
<p>Don’t swim after dusk or early in the morning.</p>
<p>Marine stingers have been found throughout the year on local beaches and in the Cooktown harbour. Marine stingers can be fatal. Accidental bites can be relieved with instant and continued application of vinegar and get medical help as soon as possible.</p>

<p>Female Eclectus Parrot. Courtesy of Lynette Ensor</p>
<p>Cape York Peninsula is a bird-watcher’s paradise, with 321 species of birds having been recorded here, 18 of which are found only on the Cape, including the eclectus parrot and palm cockatoo. Two species, the golden-shouldered parrot and white-streaked honeyeater, are endemic to the area.</p>
<p>Highlights include two species of birds of paradise from Papua New Guinea – the magnificent riflebird and the trumpet manucode, which are found in the Lockerbie Scrub rainforest. And cassowaries are seen in the Iron Range National Park and the Daintree rainforest.</p>
<h3>Iron Range National Park</h3>
<p> Metallic Starling at Nest. Courtesy of Lynette Ensor</p>
<p>The mix of coastal and lowland rainforest species makes Iron Range a fascinating birding destination. Endemics include eclectus parrots, red-cheeked parrots, Marshall’s fig parrots, palm cockatoos and the magnificent riflebirds. From October-March Chili Beach offers the incredible spectacle of a congregation of thousands of Metallic Starlings.</p>
<p>Take a spotlight to see the nocturnal birds such as Papuan frogmouths, owlet-nightjars and a variety of owls.</p>
<p>Stop at the Portland Roads Café for local information on the best birding spots or base yourself at Portland House to explore the area. Check the Portland House <a href="http://www.portlandhouse.com.au/birdlist.html" target="_blank">Bird list</a>.</p>
<h3>Lakefield National Park</h3>
<p> Magpie geese, courtesy Lynette Ensor</p>
<p>Lakefield National Park protects over 200 bird species, including the threatened golden-shouldered parrot, star finch and red goshawk. The wetlands attract a great diversity of waterbirds including brolgas, sarus cranes, black-necked storks, magpie geese, comb-crested jacanas and ducks.</p>
<p>Base yourself at the <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/stay/cape-york-peninsula/lotus-bird-lodge" title="Lotus Bird Lodge">Lotus Bird Lodge</a> – the following birds have been identified in the Violet Vale Station, Lakefield National Park and Artemis Station areas on the Lotus Bird Lodge <a href="http://www.lotusbird.com.au/birdlist.html" target="_blank">Bird list .</a></p>
<h3>Lockerbie Scrub</h3>
<p>Lockerbie Scrub is a swathe of monsoon rainforest at the Tip of Cape York. Highlights among a huge selection of species are the 2 birds of paradise (Magnificent Riflebirds and Trumpet Manucodes), Yellow-Legged Flycatchers and Frilled Monarchs.</p>
<p>Basing yourself at Bamaga you will have easy access to the birding spots at Lockerbie Scrub, Pajinka and Somerset Beach.</p>
<p>Driving through the Cape York Peninsula, other areas which offer very productive birding are at Coen, Archer River, Musgrave and Nifold Plain regions.</p>
<h3>Rainforest coast</h3>
<p>Shipton’s Flat, near Rossville, is a lovely day out from Cooktown with refreshing waterholes and stunning scenery plus abundant bird life. If you continue down to Twin Forks, this is also the area where Bennett’s Tree Kangaroos can be seen.</p>
<p>There are at least 137 species of closed forest dependent birds in the <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/go/rainforestcoast/index">Wet Tropics</a> with 13 endemic species – 9 from the uplands and 4 from the lower altitudes.</p>
<p>Base yourself from Helenvale, Bloomfield or further down the coast at Cape Tribulation to explore the remarkable Daintree World Heritage rainforest.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/animals/cooktownbirdwatching">Birdwatching in Cooktown</a></p>
<h3>Experience amazing birdwatching with expert guides:</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/stay/rainforestcoast/mungumby">Mungumby Lodge</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.greatnortherntours.com.au" target="_blank">Great Northern Tours</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.birdtracker.com.au/" target="_blank">Bird Tracker</a></p>

<p>Weipa Fishing competition</p>
<p>Barramundi is the species most sought after by fishers but other species to catch include mangrove jack, fingermark, threadfin salmon, estuary cod, grunter, queenfish, trevally and pikey bream. Much of the local fishing is done using live baits such as mullet or garfish while others prefer to cast lures or flies.</p>
<p>The area has two main seasons, the wet which extends from late November to April and the dry from April until the first storms of the wet which usually come in November. Monsoon winds blow intermittently from the north west in the wet season causing rough conditions along the beaches and offshore interspersed with calmer periods.</p>
<p>Weipa’s inshore beaches and waters are protected from the south east trade winds that blow in the dry season as these winds blow offshore, providing excellent conditions for lure and bait fishing in the nearby Gulf of Carpenteria waters.</p>
<p>Sportfishing for pelagic species such as tuna, mackerel, cobia, trevally and queenfish is proving extremely popular while the reef areas produce coral trout, fingermark, sweetlip, trevally, cod and black jewfish.</p>
<p>A catch and release attitude is encouraged to ensure Weipa retains its legendary fishing status for many years to come.</p>
<p><b>Boat Ramps:</b></p>
<p>Evans Landing (next to fuel wharf): all tide cement 2 lane boat ramp</p>
<p>Rocky Point: Single lane cement, not to be used when tide height is past 1 meter</p>
<p>Andoom Creek: Gravel ramp accessible all tide. Located on north western side of Andoom Creek bridge</p>
<p>Fishing Tackle and Bait: Weipa Bait and Tackle (Weipa News and Sports), Weipa 4WD & Camping Supplies</p>