Tropical climate The Cape York region is situated at the northern tip of Queensland in a tropical climatic zone where summers are wet and winters are comparatively dry (Bureau of Meteorology 1989). Coastal climatic effects are pronounced in this region as it is bordered by the Gulf of Carpentaria to the west and the Coral Sea to the east.Average temperatureSummers are hot with maximum temperatures around 33-36ºC in January. The coolest temperatures are experienced along the coast and to the east (Colls & Whitaker 1990).