Australia’s northernmost (mainland) beach runs from Bay Point for 2.2 km all the way to Cape York itself (Fig. 6.34). It is located in Punsand Bay and is known as Frangipani Beach (Q 213). The 10-40 m high Cape forms a prominent northern boundary to the beach, protruding 500 m out from the beach, with a band of mangroves running out along the side of the cape. The beach faces northwest and consists of a 20-50 m wide dry high tide beach, fronted by low gradient sand flats up to 400-500 m wide at low tide (Fig. 6.35). The sand flats consist of four to five low undulating bars and swales paralleling the beach. The beach is backed by a 200-400 m wide, densely vegetated, low sand barrier, which in turn is backed by salt flats and a tidal creek, which crosses the beach beside the western boundary, at Bay Point. There is a car park located behind the eastern end of the beach, with a track leading down to the beach. People also park here to make the 500 m walk to the tip of the Cape and Australia. Cape York Pajinka Wilderness Lodge is located just before the car park and provides both lodge accommodation and camp sites overlooking the beach. read more

Beach Length: 2.2km