Alcohol Restrictions
On
your travels in Cape York you have to remember alcohol
restrictions.
These are in place in most Aboriginal communities in Cape York. There are two types of them. How much you are allowed to carry can be limited to an amount of alcohol, or possession of alcohol can be totally banned in a community.
If it is limited, the limits apply per person or vehicle (no matter how many people are in there).
Alcohol Restrictions
The most common way to find out about a restriction is to read the road signs. There is a road sign at the entrance of a community where restrictions apply, and it says whether alcohol is banned or whether, and how much, you are allowed to take in.
Sometimes, however, things can be trickier. The restrictions can apply to the community as well as the Aboriginal land around the community. There are places where this land is much bigger than the community and there is no road signs about the restrictions, however you are still risking to be penalised.
And - you don't want to risk to get penalised!
Alcohol restrictions are a Law up here and by not obeying this Law you can face instant vehicle confiscation, fines up to $75,000 and inprisonment for up to 18 months!
Yarrabah - South of Cairns
Possession of alcohol is limited to one carton of light or midstrength beer and one bottle of wine. The restricted area covers the whole Yarrabah Shire as well as Gunjarra and Rocky Islands.
Wujal Wujal - South of Cooktown
Possession of alcohol is banned in the whole Wujal Wujal Shire. There is however the bona fide traveller exemption, which means that travellers can drive through the community with alcohol but must not stop except at Bloomfield Falls.
Hope Vale - North of Cooktown
Possession of alcohol is limited to one carton of light or midstrength beer and one bottle of wine. The restricted area covers the whole Hope Vale Shire including all foreshores and the main Cooktown - McIvor River Road.
Alcohol Restrictions in Lockhart River
Possession of alcohol is banned in the whole shire including all forshores and islands. Bona fide traveller exemption applies to the Portland Roads Road and Frenchmans Road. Alcohol must not be visible or consumed on those roads.
Aurukun - South of Weipa
Possession of alcohol is banned in the whole Aurukun Shire, and there is NO bona fide traveller exemption. The shire stretches a fair way both north and south of the community - HEMA map is the best map to see shire boundaries.
Napranum - Southern Weipa
Napranum is a community in the southern end of Weipa and this is a tricky one because the shire is large and covers different places both north and west of Weipa. Again, use HEMA map. Possession of alcohol is banned with NO bona fide exemption.
Mapoon - North of Weipa
Mapoon is north of Weipa and its shire covers most of the area north of Weipa that Napranum doesn't. Possession of alcohol is limited to 2 litres of wine and 3 cartons of light to midstrength beer (alt. 2 cartons of beer and 1 carton of premixed spirits).
Northern Peninsula Area Alcohol Restrictions
When you cross Jardine River there is a sign telling you that restrictions apply in the communities of Umagico, Injinoo, Bamaga, Seisia and New Mapoon. You can carry two litres of wine and 1 carton of any strength beer (/or premixed spirits).
Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw
These are two remote communities in south-western Cape York, and possession of any alcohol is banned in both communities, with NO bona fide exemptions. The ban applies to the whole shires, see HEMA map for boundaries.
P.S. The information on this page is made short, there is more detail on each place's restrictions and boundaries in the Destination Guide.
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