Cape York Peninsula

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At the top of northeastern AUSTRALIA, Cape York Peninsula extends northward towards Papua New Guinea and is surrounded by water bodies at the confluence of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. This peninsula in Queensland state is east of the Gulf of Carpentaria, south of Endeavour Strait and the larger Torres Strait, and west of the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef.

Preserving Nature and Native Culture in Northeastern Australia
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park attempts to preserve the habitats of coral reefs and aquatic species. The park extends from Cape York at the very top of Cape York Peninsula to the south at a distance of over 1,500 kilometers, stopping north of Bundaberg city. Back to land, Cape York Peninsula boasts plenty of national parks, such as Archer Bend NP, Iron Range NP, Jardine NP, and Rokeby-Croll Creek NP. The Aborigine natives mainly live in several reserves including Aurukun Aboriginal Land, Cape York Abor. Reserve, Lockhart River AL, Mapoon AR, and Weipa AR.

The long Great Dividing Range stretches south of Cape York Peninsula, and several peaks on the peninsula include Mount Carter (~670 meters), Mt. Ryan (518 m), and Mt. Tozer (545 m). The Endeavour Strait north of the peninsula is south of Prince of Wales island and several smaller islands. North of these islands and south of the Torres Strait near Papua New Guinea are dozens more islands – the largest being Badu and Moa. Finally, towns and communities on Cape York Peninsula include Cape York, Coen, Iron Range, Lockhart River aboriginal community, Mapoon Mission Station, Weipa, and Weipa South.