ITINERARY

DAY 1 SATURDAY – CAIRNS, CAPE TRIBULATION, COOKTOWN AREA (LD)

Your tour starts with an early morning pick up from your Hotel/Motel accommodation. We travel through the pristine Daintree Rainforests and over the soaring verdant heights of the Bloomfield Track to Cooktown.  A step back in time as we explore this historic port.

DAY 2 SUNDAY – LAKEFIELD NATIONAL PARK (BD)

Morning to explore with lunch at own costs today. We then travel via the rugged Battlecamp Range, pioneer cattle stations and the old coach road to arrive at the massive wildlife haven, Lakefield National Park.

DAY 3 MONDAY – MUSGRAVE, COEN, ARCHER RIVER (BLD)

Historic interludes as we visit the last Telegraph Station, Musgrave, and the once vibrant gold rush town of Coen, before reaching our overnight stop at the Archer River.

DAY 4 TUESDAY – WEIPA (BD)

North by west today, through Mungkan Kaanju National Park and across Piccaninny Plains and boundless savannah to Weipa, on the Gulf of Carpentaria.  A veritable “Oasis in the wilderness” and providing further contrast to your experience of this last frontier. (Lunch own cost)

DAY 5 WEDNESDAY – WENLOCK RIVER, MORETON STATION (BLD)

Morning Weipa Mine Tour (optional – own cost).

With the Gulf of Carpentaria behind us, we pass through huge cattle runs to arrive at the fast flowing Wenlock River.   Set up for our overnight camp at Moreton Telegraph Station.

DAY 6 THURSDAY – TELEGRAPH ROAD, TWIN FALLS (BLD)

A really challenging route today as we ford fast flowing streams and traverse rugged 4WD roads to overnight at the ideallic Twin Falls.  Basic facilities.

DAY 7 FRIDAY – JARDINE RIVER, LOYALTY BEACH (BLD)

Across the free flowing Jardine River by cable ferry, a brief refuelling stop at Bamaga and travel via Lockerbie to our base camp at Loyalty Beach Campground.

DAY 8 SATURDAY – THURSDAY ISLAND, HORN ISLAND (BLD)

Today’s highlight is a cruise transfer through the island dotted Straights. A conducted bus tour of Thursday Island and Horn Island with Lunch IS INCLUDED and is most enjoyable and informative.  Afternoon return ferry transfer to Loyalty Beach.

DAY 9 SUNDAY – CAPE YORK (BLD)

An unforgettable day of achievement and interest. We stand at the very tip of our continent.  Visit the ruins of Somerset, (road conditions permitting) with pristine beaches and rocky headlands.

DAY 10 MONDAY – SEISIA. COMMENCE SEA-LEG (BLD)

“Barge Day”. The focus of all attention today is Seisia wharf, as the cargo ships from Cairns disgorge their cargo of fuel, building materials, indeed everything needed by the island and local communities.  At 80 meters and over 3000 tonnes the Trinity Bay is the largest cargo vessel servicing the straights and the only one to carry passengers.

DAY 11  TUESDAY – GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK (BLD)

Total relaxation as you enjoy the company of the crew and new ship board companions.

DAY 12 WEDNESDAY – DISEMBARK CAIRNS (B)

On arrival at Trinity Wharf your tour concludes with transfers to your Cairns Accommodation.

DEPARTURES IN 2013

• May 18
• June 01

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Daintree National Park
• Cape Tribulation
• Bloomfield Track
• Lions Den Hotel
• Black Mountain
• Cooktown
• Old Laura Homestead
• Lakefield National Park
• Old Musgrave Telegraph Station
• Coen
• Archer River
• Weipa
• Wenlock River
• Moreton Telegraph Station
• The Old Telegraph Track
• Twin Falls
• Jardine River Ferry
• Lockerbie Scrub
• Punsand Bay Safari Lodge
• Thursday Island
• Cape York – Most Northern Tip of Australia
• Somerset
• M.V. TRINITY BAY Cargo boat from Cape York to Cairns

TOUR INCLUDES:

• 1 Driver/Guide plus 1 Hostess/Cook
• Meals as indicated
• Guided tours & activities
• Air-conditioned 16-20 seat 4WD vehicle
• 9 nights camping
• 2 nights boat accommodation
• Tent & high density foam mattress
• Cape York to Cairns boat costs
• Thursday Island Ferry
• Return Cairns Accommodation Transfers

EXTRAS:

• Drinks

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:

• Sleeping Bag $20 per trip
• Pillow $6 per trip
• Stretcher Bed $35 per tour
• Weipa Mine Tour $35 per person
• Thursday Island Bus Tour $35 per person
• Sole use tent $80 per trip
• Cairns accommodation before & after your tour at $42.50 per person per night includes free Airport pick up, Breakfast & Luggage storage