Activities around Portland House in Cape York, Australia

Boating

Launching your own boat opens the door to exploring the Great Barrier Reef.

Easy destinations include Rocky island, some 750m from Portland House. Go south into Packers Bay, and into Packers Creek where you might even spot a crocodile.

Crocodylus porosus (Saltwater Crocodile)

Boat ride to Restoration Rock A popular roost for a variety of birds.

Travel north to Pigeon Island and head up the Pascoe River to see the magnificent Nypa Palms (Nypa Fruticans). Explore the mangroves along the way and stop to beachcomb on some deserted beaches.

We recommend you adhere to the government safety requirements. We advise that your boat carries an EPIRB, drinking water, sufficient fuel, tools, a local chart, compass and let someone know where you are going, and for how long. There is a tide chart at Portland House.

The chart number covering north of Portland Roads is Cape Weymouth 835. For traveling south of Cape Griffith into Lloyd Bay is 834.

Warning: Estuarine crocodiles inhabit the area.

Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill turtle) Found throughout tropics and on Great Barrier Reef; heavily hunted for its attractive shell

Tridacna maxima (Great clam) Widely distributed across the Great Barrier Reef

Underwater photos courtesy of Robin Beaman.