ITINERARY

DAY 1 CAIRNS – CAPE YORK (LD)

Meet fellow travelers when our friendly staff collect you from your Cairns accommodation and take you to the Cairns airport to board your scenic coastal flight from Cairns to Horn Island in the Torres Strait. When you arrive enjoy a friendly chat with locals fishing on the Horn Island jetty before you set sail on the azure blue waters of the Torres Strait aboard the inter island ferry bound for Seisia, via Thursday Island. Your expert Cape York tour guide will meet you when you arrive on the mainland in Seisia and officially, welcome you on tour in Cape York. Once all your luggage is loaded into our air-conditioned four wheel drive tour vehicle we take a short drive to stunning Loyalty Beach and set up our base camp for a relaxing afternoon of socialising, knowledge sharing and sunset drinks on the beach.

DAY 2 CAPE YORK (BLD)

Make sure your camera lens is clean and batteries charged because today is the day we capture your signature Cape York photo on the absolute tip of Australia. Walk as a group to “The Tip” at the very end of Cape York Peninsula, celebrate together and grab that all important photo evidence that proves “I did it!” Your expert guide will take you on a walking around the area and share historical stories and eco-facts before we return to our beachfront campsite at Loyalty Beach. Spend the afternoon relaxing, fishing, or learning cooking secrets from your camp oven chef (a.k.a tour guide) then enjoy a drink while you watch the sunset. Tonight we enjoy camp oven cooking and sleep under the stars.

DAY 3 BAMAGA – TWIN FALLS (BLD)

Our southward journey begins today as we travel through Bamaga and across the famous Jardine River aboard the old world cable ferry. See if you can spot a crocodile sunning itself on the banks then buckle up for some real four wheel drive action on the corrugated Old Telegraph Track which brings us to one of the most stunning and talked about places on tour, Twin Falls on the Elliott River. We set up camp in naturally lush Wet Tropics rainforest surrounded by the peace and beauty of two crystal clear swimming holes, each with their own flowing waterfalls. Take a refreshing swim, go for a rainforest walk, spot some tropical birds or simply relax and enjoy the
peace and awesome natural beauty surrounding you.

DAY 4 TWIN FALLS – BRAMWELL STATION (BLD)

Get set for some more four wheel drive action today! Our exciting journey from Twin Falls to Bramwell station will see us return to the Old Telegraph track, splashing through creeks, tackling steep inclines and ditches as we make our way out of the rainforest and into the unusual landscapes of Heathland Reserve. Marvel at the contrast between low scrub country and the magnificently strong giant termite mounds. The work of tiny creatures, some of these termite mounds stand taller than humans and are always a favorite photo opportunity and talking point on tour. After a brief stop at Heathland Reserve, we continue to Bramwell Cattle Station and experience the true bush hospitality offered on Australia’s Northern most cattle station and the largest of its kind in Cape York.

Station owner Wendy Bramwell, will often come and greet your group herself and share stories about Bramwell Station, their expansion into earth moving and tourism, as well as environmental and legislative issues that have changed the nature of station life in the Cape. After this very special experience, we set up our camp and spend the night on Bramwell Station.

DAY 5 BRAMWELL STATION – WEIPA (BLD)

Rise and shine for an early start on our journey south, across the Wenlock River towards Weipa, the largest town and mining hub of Cape York. We arrive in Weipa around midday leaving you plenty of time to explore. Why not grab some bait and go fishing, browse shops, or visit the Laundromat on the main street before you return to base camp to enjoy some more camp oven treats and spend another peaceful night camping under the stars.

DAY 6 COEN – MUSGRAVE STATION (BLD)

This morning is your last chance to learn more about Weipa on a guided tour of Weipa bauxite mine and township (included in tour cost). Learn about Weipa’s history, lifestyle and how the town is a driving force in the Cape York economy. Or you can just sleep in and relax around our campsite before we re-board the four wheel drive mid morning, bound for Old Musgrave Telegraph Station. We continue south along the Peninsula Development Road, through the remote old gold rush township of Coen. We cross the Archer River, and pass the little known RAAF base in Sherger. This base became less secret in September 2010 when the Australian Government announced it would be used to accommodate up to 300 male asylum seekers. We also stop off today at the Peninsula Quarantine Station and gain an interesting insight into the unique Quarantine needs of The Cape. Relax and enjoy the bush scenery as we continue south to The Old Musgrave Telegraph Station where we will spend the night. Take time to look at and reflect upon Musgrave Station’s historica collection of memorabilia and old photos of the area, and allow yourself to be humbled by the amazing hurdles overcome by hardworking people from the bush.

DAY 7 MUSGRAVE STATION – LAKEFIELD NATIONAL PARK (BLD)

Enjoy another Cape York sunrise today as we continue south along the Peninsula Development Road from Musgrave bound for wildlife haven and fishermen’s oasis, Lakefield National Park. Spot threatened species including the Red Goshawk, Lakeland DownsMouse and Spectacled Hare-Wallaby and watch more common Cape York wildlife including, Ibis, Bustards, Jabirus, Brolgas, wild pigs and crocodiles going about their daily routines. You can also go fishing for Barramundi. Lakefield National Park is renowned for bird watching and its abundance of top fishing spots full of Barramundi and Mangrove Jack. We set up camp by the Normanby River and spend a starry night in the heart Lakefield National Park.

DAY 8 LAKEFIELD NATIONAL PARK – COOKTOWN (BL)

Today we leave Lakefield National Park and get firsthand experience of its plentiful billabongs, waterhole’s and creeks on our journey. Rise and shine early today to experience the magnificent sunrise and early morning view from Grassy Hill lookout before we board the four wheel drive and make our final journey from Cooktown to Cairns. Shortly after we leave Cooktown we make a quick stop at Black Mountain to see the bouncing stones and learn the legend of this area’s deep, spiritual past before we continue on to the historic Lion’s Den Pub and enjoy a cool drink. From here we tackle the rugged and famous “Bloomfield Track” where we cross the Bloomfield River and journey into the oldest surviving tropical rainforests on earth in Cape Tribulation and the Daintree. Make sure your camera is handy as this area is full of wonderful wildlife spotting and photo opportunities.

Take advantage of your last chance to spot a wild crocodile when we board the ferry and cross the Daintree River. Reflect on the highlights of your trip and exchange email addresses with your fellow travelers while we make the scenic coastal journey from the Daintree, past Port Douglas and onto Cairns where we will safely return you to your Cairns accommodation of its plentiful billabongs, waterhole’s and creeks on our journey towards Cooktown.

We visit the township of Laura, see the new Laura Ranger Station and enjoy a drink at the historic Old Laura Homestead before we lock in the hubs for a bumpy drive along the corrugated Battlecamp Road. See the environmental landscape change as we travel down the coast into fertile farming country and arrive at Cooktown. Cooktown is rich with Australian history and you are free to spend the afternoon exploring its highlights and landmarks including Grassy Hill and the site where Captain James Cook landed the Endeavour in 1778. Tonight we give the tents and camp oven a break and eat out at a restaurant and stay in accommodation instead.

DEPARTURES IN 2013

• May 20
• June 10
• July 01
• September 09

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Cairns to Cape York Scenic Flight
• Thursday Island
• Seisia – Most Northern Tip of Australia
• Old Telegraph Track
• Twin Falls
• Elliott River
• Bramwell Cattle Station
• Weipa
• Coen
• Musgrave Station
• Lakefield National Park
• Normanby River
• Laura
• Cooktown
• Bloomfield Track
• Lions Den Pub
• Black Mountain
• Cape Tribulation
• Daintree National Park

TOUR INCLUDES:

• 1 Driver/Guide
• Return Cairns Accommodation Transfers
• Meals as indicated
• Guided tours & activities
• Air-conditioned 7-14 seat 4WD vehicle
• 8 nights camping in tents
• Tent
• Sleeping bag & Pillow
• High density foam mattress
• Cairns to Cape York (Horn Island) airfare
• Thursday Island Ferry
• Weipa Mine Tour

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:

• Thursday Island Bus Tour $31 per person
• Stretcher Bed $35 per trip

CAIRNS ACCOMMODATION:
Before & After tour $42.50 per person per night includes free Airport pick up, Breakfast & Luggage storage