Cape York vs Bramble Cay: What is the northernmost point of Australia?

The northernmost point of the continent is Cape York in far north Queensland. But the northernmost point of Australia, the country, is Bramble Cay in the Torres Strait Islands.

Detailed answer: With Darwin being the most northerly city in Australia, it’s tempting to think that the northernmost point in the country must be in the Northern Territory. In the Arnhem Land perhaps? Or the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park?

Well, Queensland has something to say about that. The Cape York Peninsula is enormous, and it sticks out for hundreds of kilometres past Cairns, the tourist hub of far north Queensland. The drive from Cairns to the tip of Cape York is over 1,000km long. And, once you get towards the end of that drive, you’re further north than the northernmost extremes of the Northern Territory.

Northernmost point of Australia: Cape York?

The peninsula gets its name from Cape York, the point at the very end. It’s found at a latitude of 10° 41′ 21″ S, making it the most northerly point on Australia’s mainland.

Cape York, the northernmost point on the Australian continent — Cape York is the northernmost point of Australia… or is it? Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

The ‘mainland’ part of that is important though, as you’ll see when you get to Cape York. It’s a relatively short walk from the car park to the northernmost tip of the Australian continent. A commemorative sign on the rocky headland provides the requisite photo opportunity.

But when you’re there, you’ll see it’s clearly not the northernmost point of Australia. York Island and Eborac Island lie almost immediately in front of you, and to the north.

These are part of the Torres Strait Islands, which create an obstacle course for sailors between Cape York and New Guinea. There are nearly 300 Torres Strait islands, most of which are uninhabited. Around 4,500 people live on the Torres Strait Islands, and Sailea Island is just 3.8km from Papua New Guinea. Only Horn Island and Thursday Island are realistically set up for visitors, however.

Northernmost point of Australia: Bramble Cay?

Right at the top of the Torres Strait archipelago, and at the very northern end of the Great Barrier Reef, is little, uninhabited Bramble Cay. From here, Parama Island in Papua New Guinea is 48km to the north.

Bramble Cay is also the true northernmost point of Australia, the country (as opposed to the continent). The only way you’re going to get there, however, is on a private boat. So you may be better off getting your photo by the sign at Cape York…