A Cape York Adventure is a bucket list destination for many adventurous Australians. If you want to go to Cape York, you should arm yourself with as much information as you can. Many of the books available will entertain you with stories and historical facts. They are great reads. But sometimes you need a base level of knowledge about a place. Having a local guide when planning your Cape York Adventure is invaluable.
Tracy Sands has put together a no-nonsense book about all the interesting places there are to see on a Cape York Adventure. It is tinged with small snippets of historical facts and how to get there guides. A compelling reason to buy this book is to use it as a planning tool for your Cape York Adventure.
Tracy Sands has lived in the Cape for over 14 years, she has ventured to every part of it and dug deep into it’s history. The book was originally published in May 2021. It is the only definitive guide to the Cape for tourists.
What is the book about?
The book takes the reader from the beginning of the Daintree through the Lion’s Den hotel and up Battle Camp Road. It introduces you to Lakeland National Park before hitting the Peninsula Development Road (PDR). At this point Tracy talks about the small communities that only have a boat ramp and how to access them. She provides a small description of the bigger communities like Weipa.
Finally, she gets to the Cape, via the Jardine. The book intwines some of the geographical and cultural highlights and some of the Cape York history. There is a description of some of the camping options available and the best places to camp.
There is a good description of the southern and northern Old Telegraph Track (OTT) and the creek crossings along the way. Tracy talks about the best time to visit the Cape and provides some useful information about what to take. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section provides answers to some of the most common questions.
Personal view
Even though I have read through it a number of times and having ridden to the tip, I feel it would be even more useful if it highlighted the types of conditions that could be experienced by the traveller. One of the issues with Cape York is its remoteness, and the changing nature of the environment. A descriptive narrative of the conditions and environment would add a lot of value to this already valuable book. Explore Cape York also has a web page with some useful videos on how to tackle some of the creek crossings on the OTT which is useful. But I had to search for the site, reference to it in the book would in my opinion add value to the book.
This book is a great asset for planning your Cape York Adventure, it’s also a great book for reflection years after your adventure. This is the type of book that you would buy for a friend or family member who is thinking about undertaking a Cape York Adventure. Or one you would keep as an historical record of your journey. If you know someone who has been to the tip buy this book, they will appreciate it.
What do I think?
This book is easy to read, it is a step by step guide to a Cape York adventure or as a reference book to take with you as you go. Tracy uses simple language and a great selection of photographs. I found this book useful when writing some of my blog posts. Had I been aware of the book when planning my trip, I would have visited more of the area and attractions and may be extended my time up at the Cape. From re-reading Tracy’s book I get the feeling there is still so much more to explore and I need to plan another trip.
I don’t like to give ratings on books because they are subjective and not really fair. This book is ideal for its intended audience and purpose. I would love to see an up dated version with some of the information I have alluded to, but as it is this book is a good investment.
Where can you buy this book?
If you want to know more about Cape York for your own Cape York Adventure or if you want to buy the book then check out Tracy’s web site at: Explore Cape York
A couple of other books I have reviewed relating to having a Cape York Adventure include:
Dirt and Dust by Amelia and Riley Olsen
