It’s been a big year for news across the Cape with transport, freight, and development never far from the headlines. Take a walk back through 2025 and have a look at a dozen of our most popular news stories.
12. Rio Tinto, RFDS announce $14.67m remote health partnership
by Cape York Weekly
Rio Tinto global head of communities and social performance Melinda Buckland, Rio Tinto Pacific Operations Aluminium managing director Armando Torres and RFDS (Queensland Section) chief executive officer Meredith Staib celebrate the partnership announcement on 27 August. Photo: Supplied.
Rio Tinto and the Royal Flying Doctor Service have announced a new partnership to strengthen health services in some of the most remote parts of the state, including Cape York.
The companies unveiled the $14.675 million, five-year agreement on 27 August, which is aimed at expanding local access to vital healthcare services, and adds to the support the mining giant has provided the RFDS since 2020.
11. Beloved Laura pub set for next owner
by Chisa Hasegawa
After reopening The Peninsula Hotel in memory of his best mate and the Laura pub’s previous owner, Stuart Wiggins is now ready to pass on the reins to the next capable publican. Photo: Supplied.
The Peninsula Hotel’s publican Stuart Wiggins took over the Laura pub to continue his best mate’s legacy. He’s now ready for another pair of capable hands to keep it going.
10. New development plan lodged for ‘more workable’ Cooktown IGA
by Lyndon Keane
An architectural representation of the proposed supermarket and central car parking area of the new Cooktown IGA at its new location. Photo: Supplied (TPG Architects).
They say good things come to those who wait, and that certainly seems to be the case when it comes to supermarket baron Graham Cornett’s plan to develop a new IGA in Cooktown.
9. TI artist’s majestic work unveiled at Cairns Airport
by Paul Roberts
Torres Strait Island artist Toby Cedar’s crafted canoe has been suspended from a ceiling in Cairns Airport. Pictured: (standing) Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker, Diane Ambrym, artist Toby Cedar, Kathy Lakatos, Florince Williams, Alfred Gray, architect Angela Spillane; (front) Andre Duffin, Farron Duffin, Georgina Hobbler, Andrew Duffin, Richard Bing. Photo: Bang Media.
A large, eye-catching canoe crafted by renowned Torres Strait Island artist Toby Cedar has been suspended from a mirrored ceiling in the remodelled departures lounge at Cairns Airport. It now showcases the region’s rich culture to visitors as they embark on their travel.
A significant ceremony at the airport on 19 November unveiled the key feature of the $55 million international terminal overhaul, as the major development nears completion.
8. ‘Near threatened’ snakes returned to wild following Cape York vehicle interception, seizure
by Cape York Weekly
Rangers release one of the six green tree pythons seized during a vehicle intercept on Cape York on New Year’s Eve. Photo: Supplied.
Eight snakes that were allegedly taken unlawfully from their natural habitat near Lockhart River have been released back into the wild after a tip-off led to a vehicle interception and seizure on New Year’s Eve.
7. ‘They circled the girls like a shark’: NPA family slams school over alleged horrific attack
by Chisa Hasegawa
A family member of two victims of a horrifying act of alleged bullying says the teenagers have been left with severe injuries and will not be returning to their far northern Cape York school. Photo: Supplied.
The family of the victims of an alleged horrific schoolyard attack in the Northern Peninsula Area say the girls have been left with no choice but to move to a school more than 2,500 kilometres away amid ongoing concerns for their safety.
6. Rio Tinto welcomes 215t behemoth to Amrun family
by Cape York Weekly
Steve Dunstone, Mick Turk, Freda Chen, Armando Torres, Steve Badenhorst, Byron Godfrey, Shiona Budby and Colin Vallance inspect the new belly-dump bauxite haul trailer after the 215-tonne behemoth was delivered to the Amrun mine. Photo: Supplied.
With a purple and white colour scheme that contrasts the bauxite-rich landscape it operates in, and tipping the scales at a hefty 215 tonnes, the newest member of the Rio Tinto Weipa team is set to make its presence felt.
Key stakeholders from Rio Tinto and its Chinese manufacturing partner RHM converged on the Amrun mine on 24 June to unveil and commission the first custom-built belly-dump bauxite haul trailer planned for the mining giant’s southern Weipa operation.
5. CEQ welcomes decision on ‘alcohol-like’ drink sales
by Cape York Weekly
CEQ nutrition and health manager Melinda Hammond said the QCAT decision reflects strong community support and expert advice. Photo: Supplied.
Remote supermarket operator Community Enterprise Queensland has welcomed a decision that allows it to restrict the sale of zero or alcohol-like drinks to persons under the age of 18 in its stores across Cape York and the Torres Strait.
4. Tributes flow for beloved Cape York castaway Dave Glasheen, 81
by Lyndon Keane
Dave Glasheen was always happy to pull out a pen for an impromptu beach signing session of his bestselling book, The Millionaire Castaway, for literary lovers who washed up on Restoration Island. Photo: Supplied.
Tributes have flown from around the world for the Millionaire Castaway, Dave Glasheen, after the colourful Cape York character died on 5 July.
He was 81-years-old.
3. Cost, delay frustration ‘absolutely’ understood: Sea Swift boss
by Lyndon Keane
Sea Swift operations co-ordinator Damone Everall and executive chairman Chris Pearce show off some of the spare engines the sea freight operator needs to keep on hand to ensure continuity of service for Cape York and the Torres Strait. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
The boss of the region’s key sea freight operator says he “absolutely” understands the frustration of customers regarding costs and shipping delays, and wants to see government intervention to provide hip pocket relief to Cape York and Torres Strait residents and business operators.
Sea Swift executive chairman Chris Pearce invited the Cape York Weekly for a tour of the company’s Cairns operation on 14 May to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the logistics of delivering freight to the remotest part of Queensland, and address criticism about its ownership framework and skyrocketing costs.
2. ‘He rescued himself, I just picked him up’: missing Aurukun man found safe on roadside
by Lyndon Keane
The four-day search for a man who went missing on a hunting trip near Aurukun is over after he was found alive and well by a Weipa contractor travelling to the community. Photo: Queensland Police Service.
The four-day search for a man who went missing on a hunting trip near Aurukun was over after he was found alive and well by a Weipa contractor travelling to the community.
The man, 52, whom the Cape York Weekly has been unable to contact for comment and chosen not to name, was reported missing at about 12:30am on 23 March after going hunting with a family group some 70 kilometres north-east of the remote western Cape York community.
1. Sinking feeling ends for tourists, businesses as Jardine Ferry relaunched
by Lyndon Keane
Some of the first tourists begin arriving on the northern side of the Jardine River after the region’s decrepit ferry recommenced operating. Photo: Explore Cape York.
It put a handbrake on the official launch of Cape York’s tourist season, but some southern visitors were philosophical about the experience and spectacle of watching the Jardine Ferry being repaired and refloated as operation recommenced.
