Camping at Cape Melville is one of our most treasured locations. Because it is so spectacular!
The giant black rocks covering the hillsides, sloping down onto a stunning white beach is one of a kind.
On this trip we headed back to the region as it has been some time (like a decade) since last visiting.
It was a quick weekend trip as a reconnaissance for our big trip to Princess Charlotte Bay.
We needed to see if we could drop off crew here to be picked up by car. As opposed to heading all the way back to Cooktown by boat.
Where is Cape Melville?
Camping at Cape Melville can be accessed from the south via Laura and Old Laura or detour via Cooktown in Far North Queensland.
We did the drive from the northern beaches of Cairns to Cape Melville in one day.
We left Cairns around 4 am and arrived at 4 pm with a few stops on the way. To expedite the trip travel through Laura instead of Cooktown.
The road was far better than last time we were here, however beware if you’re towing a heavy trailer.
Some fellow campers with a 5.5 m boat broke an axle and busted two tyres so that the last 30 k’s took 6 hours.
So we suggest a smaller boat and don’t load it up with camping gear!
Click play and join us as we go Camping at Cape Melville.
Things to do while visiting.
There are a number of interesting things to do while visiting Cape Melville.
- The remains of a WWII bomber can be found on the beach. Simply head south at low tide and it’s about 1 km past the last creek crossing.
- Swim in the beautiful freshwater stream. The spring fed creek runs behind the beach with a track adjacent. Follow it along right to the end.
- There is an historic tombstone marking the deaths of 300 + pearlers who lost their lives in cyclone Mahina in 1899
- Relax under the shady beach front trees and read a book.
- If you’ve brought your tinny, on a good day access the Flinders Islands. There is a huge cathedral of indigenous rock paintings that is well worth a visit. We have a whole video episode on that coming up as part of our Princess Charlotte Bay adventure.
Tips for your Cape Melville adventure.
Be sure and book your camp site prior to entering the park.
We stayed at Wongai camp site, but they are all equally beautiful with adequate shade and beachfront access.
Granite campsite can only be accessed at low tide as there is no track – beach access only.
Camping at Cape Melville is remote. There is no internet or reception at all so be sure and take adequate food, water and fuel.
When we travel remote like this we also take our satellite phone.
Double the travel time if it has been raining heavily and don’t take on the beach driving at high tide.
Year round water can be sourced from the freshwater stream running behind the beach. But it still pays to take plenty of water just in case.
Saltwater croc inhabit this area so stay out of the tidal creeks and ocean.
Camping at Cape Melville faces north so is generally protected from the South east tradewinds.
Although you will cop a flogging during northerlies which happened during our stay.
While you are up in far north Queensland, be sure and see Blencoe Falls. Camping up there is TOPS and can be accessed in good weather with a two wheel drive vehicle.
And another favourite of ours is Goshen Station. Also two wheel drive access in good weather.
And while you’re in North Queensland, if you’d love to catch a barra we have some free tips here:
Princess Charlotte Bay adventure.
During October we took our Big Boat Mood Swings to Princess Charlotte Bay! Read the Ship’s Log > click here.
We can’t wait to show you the amazing time we had. Episodes should start to drop in December 21.
New lures in the shop.
Our new lures in the SHOP have gone gang busters and we sold out of our Scaleblazer lures in a matter of hours. We have ordered more so stay tuned.
Pillager stocks are running super low now as well so jump in as things are taking longer than expected due to COVID. We caught about ten different species on the Pillager lures while we were away so I’d have to say the will pretty much catch anything. It’s the flutter on the drop that does it.
We have also ordered our new Levitator jigs and they are being manufactured as we speak so stay tuned for those.
We hope you enjoyed our video: Camping at Cape Melville.
Here are some more fishing tips and action videos you may find helpful (or at least entertaining).
