About

Situated on Mosby Creek, at the tip of Queensland in the township of Bamaga, Cape York Peninsula Lodge is a tropical paradise. We’re ideally located to explore everything the Northern Peninsula Area has to offer, including easy access to the surrounding islands.

Although found on mainland Australia, Bamaga is classed as part of the Torres Strait Island region and the culture of the Torres Strait Island people can be seen weaved throughout the town of Bamaga and the Lodge.

Cape York Peninsula Lodge is proudly owned and operated by Bamaga Enterprises Limited, a not-for-profit, community-owned company that exists to support the Indigenous residents of Bamaga and the Northern Peninsula Area. This work includes elevating the standard of living and opportunities for the community, and assisting those in necessitous circumstances. By staying with us, you’re helping to employ local people and support the local economy.

How to reach Cape York Peninsula Lodge

Drive

You can reach Bamaga from Cairns by travelling on two roads: The Peninsula Development Road or the Old Telegraph Track. The Peninsula Development Road offers a more comfortable journey for 4WD vehicles or travellers towing off-road camper trailers, caravans or boats.

The Old Telegraph Track can be a challenging drive and is suitable for 4WD vehicles only. We recommend packing a full repair and safety kit as damage to vehicles is not uncommon. Adventurers who choose the Track will likely be rewarded with an exciting journey. Please consider that some roads are remote and emergency assistance may take some time to arrive. Most phone networks don’t receive coverage in this area but Telstra does receive signal.

The track between Cairns and Bamaga can be closed depending on weather conditions (usually January to April) such as the amount of rainfall and the rise and fall of river levels. See here for further information.

Fly

Rex Airlines runs direct flights from Cairns to Northern Peninsula Airport (ABM), just a ten-minute drive to Bamaga Motel. Rex flies regularly to Bamaga, and is our recommended airline partner.

Skytrans flies direct from Cairns to both Northern Peninsula Airport (ABM) and Horn Island (HID), as well as to surrounding Torres Strait Islands. Qantas also flies direct between Cairns and Horn Island. Upon arrival at Horn Island, passengers can buy tickets to the bus and ferry transfer services departing for Thursday Island.

The Peddells ferry service runs twice daily between Thursday Island and Seisia Wharf (the closest wharf to Bamaga) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from October to May. From June to September, the service operates from Monday to Saturday.

We offer guests return transfers from Northern Peninsula Airport and Seisia Wharf. A one-way transfer is $30 and return is $50 per person. Please get in touch with our team prior to your stay to organise a transfer for your arrival. 

We recommend checking directly with airline and ferry operators for the most up-to-date information as schedules often change.

Boat

Sea Swift offers passengers round trips from Cairns to Seisia Wharf at times. It is one of the last working cargo vessels that also carries travellers, making it a unique way to travel. The journey to Bamaga can take two to three days, during which visitors can enjoy cruising on the pristine Great Barrier Reef and along the spectacular northern coastline before arriving into the Northern Peninsula Area. These sailings are very popular and tend to book out far in advance.

Update, November 2022: Sea Swift does not currently have a start date for passenger voyages in 2023.